The Thorold Blackhawks gutted out a close 4-2 win against the Niagara Falls Canucks.

Each team kept the other at bay throughout the game, and Owen Sobchak secured the win for Thorold with a goal in the third period.

Mackenzie Mac Avoy had two goals to lead the Blackhawks to victory. Mac Avoy scored at 41 seconds into the first period to make the score 1-0 Thorold and again while 9:23 into the third to make the score 4-2 Thorold.

Thorold's penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on four Niagara Falls power plays. The Blackhawks forced Niagara Falls goalie Hunter Johnson to work between the pipes, taking 35 shots. Thorold's penalty killing units received substantial work throughout the game as the Blackhawks finished with 42 penalty minutes.

Ed Creighton also scored for Thorold. Other players who recorded assists for Thorold were Kevin Lavoie, Joel Forestell, Joe DiBiasi, and Brendan Cullen, who each chipped in one and Adrian Copeland and Mark Arnone, who contributed two a piece.

The Canucks stifled Thorold's power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man. Niagara Falls did not reach the goal total it has come to expect this season. The Canucks put an average of 4.7 pucks into the net per game. Niagara Falls' offense rang up 47 shots on the Blackhawks' net. The Canucks found themselves short handed often, totaling 46 penalty minutes and allowing 10 power plays.

Niagara Falls was helped by Vito Scaringi, who had one goal and one assist. Scaringi scored 6:03 into the second period to make the score 2-1 Niagara Falls. Cole Langan provided the assist. Niagara Falls additionally got points from Drew Berkel, who also racked up one goal and one assist. In addition, Niagara Falls received assists from Cole Vinnai, who had one.

Vinny Merante recorded 45 saves for Thorold. For the Blackhawks, Creighton was ejected from the game. Hunter Johnson made 31 saves for the Canucks on 35 shots.