The St. Louis Jr. Blues gutted out a close 5-3 win against the Toledo Cherokee.

No lead was more than two goals during the contest, and the winning goal was scored by Tyler Opilka at 18:02 of the third period.

The win gave St. Louis a 1-0 lead in the best of one series.

The Jr. Blues were led by Opilka, who grabbed one goal.

Toledo was unable to stop St. Louis from sending pucks towards the net, and the Jr. Blues eventually piled up 47 shots on goal.

St. Louis also got points from Philip Lux, who also registered one goal and one assist, Sam Turner, who also had one goal and one assist, and Kerry McGlynn, who also racked up one goal and one assist. Trace Jablin also scored for St. Louis. More assists for St. Louis came via Adam Otten, who had two and Paul OConnor, Daniel Rosse, and Will Quillman, who each chipped in one.

The Cherokee's penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on three St. Louis power plays.

Toledo was helped by Patrick Smiatacz, who finished with one goal. Smiatacz scored on the power play 11:29 into the second period to make the score 2-1 Toledo. An interference penalty on Lux had put the Cherokee on the power play. Christos Papaioannou provided the assist. Toledo also got a goal from Andrew Benyo as well. Other players who recorded assists for Toledo were Donnie Nagle, who had two and Jake Manders, Trevor Ruiz, and Ryan Quigley, who contributed one a piece.

Clint Steinmeyer rejected 23 shots on goal for St. Louis. The Jr. Blues incurred 24 minutes in penalty time with seven minors. Toledo's Austyn Roudebush stopped 42 shots out of the 47 that he faced. The Cherokee incurred 12 minutes in penalty time with six minors.