The Chatham Maroons have drawn first blood in their playoff series with the Sarnia Legionnaires.

The home team scored three third period goals, then hung on for dear life to squeak out a 5-4 win in what was the opening game of a best-of-seven Western Ontario Hockey Conference quarter-final.

Sarnia got on the scoreboard first when Maroons netminder Mike Ostropolec made a save, then inadvertently batted the puck into his own cage. Jesse Drydak was credited with the goal, with an assist going to Chase Clark.

The Legionnaires had a glorious chance to go up by two goals a few minutes later, but a blistering drive by Owen Rogers hit the crossbar.

The Maroons took over from that point, taking a 2-1 lead. With time running out in the period, Ostropolec made a great glove save on Rogers to preserve that narrow advantage going into the dressing room.

But the line of Rogers, Drydak and Clark kept pressing and, early in the second frame, they were rewarded with the tying goal. This time it was Rogers who blinked the red light. The little centre stole the puck in close, got Ostropolec down and lifted the puck over his shoulder into the net. The play was unassisted.

Chatham came out flying in the third period, scoring three times before the mid-point to grab a 5-2 lead.

But defenceman Jeff Paulley got the visitors close at the 12:08 mark with a drive from the point that went through the five-hole. Drydak and Clark picked up helpers on the play.

With less than three minutes left, Clark pulled the Legionnaires within one when he jumped on a loose disc and snapped a shot over Ostroplec's left shoulder to make the score 5-4.

In the final minute of play, with goalie Jesse Raymond on the bench in favour of a sixth attacker, the Sarnia's swarmed the Chatham net but could not get the equalizer.

• Chatham outshot Sarnia 44-41.

• The Maroons were a devastating two-for-three on the powerplay, while the Legionnaires were one-for-two.

• Attendance was 784.

• Drydak was named the game's third star.

• Game two in the series goes Tuesday in Sarnia, with the puck drop set for 7:30 p.m.