The Dresden Kings pulled out a 5-4 (OT) overtime victory over the Essex 73s on a clutch goal by Jeremy Griffore.

The win moved Dresden to down 1-0 in the best of seven series.

Jim Rouse had one goal and two assists to lead the Kings. Rouse scored 17:21 into the first period to make the score 2-1 Dresden. Cam Ross picked up the assist.

Dresden forced Essex goalie Taylor Speed to work between the pipes, taking 31 shots.

Dresden additionally got points from Rouse, who also grabbed one goal and two assists. Others who scored for Dresden included Derek Daly, who had one and Dylan Mertz, who had two. More assists for Dresden came via Jim McKinlay, Taylor Sisson, Cody McPhail, Jesse Allen, Wendel Mertz, and Brennan Rainey, who contributed one each.

The 73s stifled the Kings' power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man. Dresden was unable to stop Essex from sending pucks towards the net, and the 73s eventually piled up 48 shots on goal. Essex gave up more goals than its normal season average. The 73s give up two goals per game.

Essex was helped by Dylan Solecki, who registered one goal and one assist. Solecki scored 15:01 into the third period to make the score 4-3 Essex. Mac Laforest provided the assist. Essex also got points from Corey Beaulieu, who also finished with one goal and one assist, Tyler Pope-Ferguson, who also had one goal and one assist, and Solecki, who also grabbed one goal and one assist. Adam Dunmore also scored for Essex. In addition, Essex received assists from Sean Ducharme and Brian Hamlin, who each chipped in two.

The Kings' Brent Paxton stopped 44 shots out of the 48 that he faced. Dresden totaled 15 minutes in penalty time with five minors and one major and went 0-for-4 on the power play. For the Kings, Alex Schmidt was ejected from the game. Taylor Speed made 26 saves for the 73s on 31 shots. Essex totaled 13 minutes in penalty time with four minors and one major and went 1-for-5 on the power play. The 73s ran into disciplinary problems during the contest, and Scott Bromley was ejected from the game.