Hampton Roads Whalers could not stop East Coast Eagles' Samuel Banasiewicz, who tallied a hat trick in a 7-3 win.

Banasiewicz got on the scoresheet 5:12 into the second period. He then added goals at 18:36 into the second and at 9:14 into the third.

The win gave East Coast Eagles a 1-0 lead in the best of one series.

East Coast Eagles put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Hampton Roads Whalers to score on any of its three power plays. East Coast Eagles kept Hampton Roads Whalers' goalie busy throughout the game, and Holden Melgoza made 33 saves on 40 shots. East Coast Eagles found the back of the net more times than it usually has this season. East Coast Eagles averages three goals per game.

East Coast Eagles also got points from Chris Magee, who also tallied one goal and one assist, Dakota Beaulieu, who also registered one goal and one assist, and Joshua Martinez, who also racked up one goal and two assists. Elijah Spear also scored for East Coast Eagles. Other players who recorded assists for East Coast Eagles were Kyle Williams, Robert Paddock, and Brian Clare, who each chipped in one and Kevin Mullaney and Connor Sheehey, who contributed two each.

Hampton Roads Whalers forced East Coast Eagles goalie Spencer Braswell to work between the pipes, taking 41 shots.

Hampton Roads Whalers was led by Alexander Dempsey, who had two goals. Dempsey scored the first of his two goals at 17:36 into the first period to make the score 2-2. Luke Carroll provided the assist. Dempsey's next tally made the score 3-2 Hampton Roads Whalers with 16:11 left in the second period. Taylor Paasch assisted on the tally. Hampton Roads Whalers got a goal from Alphee Herion as well. In addition, Hampton Roads Whalers received assists from John Davies, Michael Addison, and Timothy Zaremski, who each chipped in one.

Braswell recorded 38 saves for East Coast Eagles. East Coast Eagles incurred 10 minutes in penalty time with five minors. Hampton Roads Whalers incurred eight minutes in penalty time with four minors.