In a game where neither team could get a cushion, the Brampton Beast escaped with a 5-3 victory over the St. Charles Chill.

Brampton gained the winning advantage on a goal by Rob Collins 13:16 into the third period and hung on until final buzzer.

Scotty Howes was all over the ice for the Beast, as he tallied one goal and two assists in the win. Howes scored 10:50 into the third period to make the score 3-3.

St. Charles' power play was ineffective against Brampton's penalty kill, which allowed zero goals while shorthanded.

The Beast excelled on the penalty kill, not giving up a single goal in six chances. Brampton put 31 shots on net during the contest, more than the 26.8 it averages per game.

Brampton additionally got points from Jason Pitton, who also registered one goal and one assist and Collins, who also racked up one goal and one assist. Others who scored for Brampton included Matt Caruana and Brent Vandehogen, who each put in one. More assists for Brampton came via Andrew Fournier, Tylor Michel, and Josh McQuade, who each chipped in one.

The Chill put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow the Beast to score on any of their three power plays. With 40 shots on target during the contest, St. Charles exceeded the 19.8 shots it averages per game this year.

The Chill were helped by Jordan Fox, who had one goal. Fox scored 2:15 into the third period to make the score 2-2. Martin Hlinka provided the assist. St. Charles also had goals scored by Sean Muncy and John Snowden, who scored one goal each. In addition, St. Charles received assists from Steve Anthony, David Strathman, Nicklas Lindberg, Ryan Berard, and Kyle OKane, who contributed one a piece.

Brampton's Grant Rollheiser stopped 37 shots out of the 40 that he faced. The Beast incurred 12 minutes in penalty time with six minors. Linus Lundin rejected 26 shots on goal for St. Charles. The Chill incurred six minutes in penalty time with three minors.