The Syracuse Stars Junior Stars survived a determined comeback attempt by the Potomac Patriots Patriots on the way to a 4-3 win.

A goal by Luke Kirwan put Syracuse Stars up 4-0 in the second period, but Potomac Patriots pulled to within one on Travis Reece's tally 19:38 into the third period.

The win gave the Junior Stars a 1-0 lead in the best of one series.

Syracuse Stars made Patriots' goalies to work hard to keep the puck out of the net, getting 48 shots and forcing 44 saves. Dustyn Moyer made 43 stops and Alec Yutzler made one.

Josh Sova also scored for Syracuse Stars. More assists for Syracuse Stars came via Steven Staversky and Anthony Angello, who contributed one a piece and Casie Garrison and Jeremy Marginsky, who each chipped in two.

The Patriots were led by Andrew Turgeon, who racked up one goal and two assists. Turgeon scored on the power play 15:31 into the third period to make the score 4-2 Syracuse Stars. Potomac Patriots had taken the advantage when the Junior Stars' Alex Brink got sent off for slashing. Other players who recorded assists for Potomac Patriots were Peter Wydler, who had two.

Tyler Kraft recorded 22 saves for Syracuse Stars. The Junior Stars incurred 18 minutes in penalty time with four minors. The Patriots incurred eight minutes in penalty time with four minors.