Uvira scores twice as Whalers take 1-0 series lead

PLYMOUTH, Mich. - Sebastian Uvira scored twice as the Plymouth Whalers defeated the visiting Owen Sound Attack 4-1 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League playoff action.

Garret Meurs also scored for the Whalers, who lead the Western Conference second-round matchup 1-0, while Rickard Rakell had a goal and an assist.

The Whalers put 26 shots against Owen Sound's Jordan Binnington through 40 minutes of play, but found themselves down 1-0 on a goal from Gemel Smith.

Meurs finally put Plymouth on the board 2:30 into the third period before Uvira put his club ahead with his first-career playoff goal just over two minutes later.

Uvira added his second of the game at 16:48 before Rakell scored into an empty net.

Alex Nedeljkovic made 22 saves for the win as Binnington stopped 30-of-33 shots in defeat.

Plymouth went 1 for 7 on the power play while Owen Sound failed to score on three chances with the man advantage.

The second-seeded Whalers will host the third-seeded Attack on Sunday at Compuware Arena for Game 2.