In a game where neither team could get a cushion, the Niagara Falls Canucks escaped with a 6-4 victory over the Thorold Blackhawks.

Niagara Falls gained the winning advantage on a goal by Johnny Curran 6:37 into the second period and hung on until final buzzer.

The win gave the Canucks a 1-0 lead in the best of seven series.

Darren Young had two goals and one assist to lead Niagara Falls. Young scored the first of his two goals on the power play at 2:41 into the second period to make the score 2-2. The Canucks had gained a power play chance when RJ Sciarrone was whistled for slashing. Brad Kri picked up the assist. Young's next tally on the power play made the score 5-3 Niagara Falls with 1:47 left in the second period. A goalie interference penalty on Owen Sobchak had put Niagara Falls on the power play. Kri provided the assist.

The Canucks pulled out the victory even though they were hit with 66 penalty minutes.

Niagara Falls forced Thorold goalie Vinny Merante to work between the pipes, taking 31 shots. The Canucks excelled on the penalty kill, only allowing the Blackhawks to get one power play goal on 17 chances.

Niagara Falls also got points from Marcus Michalski, who also tallied one goal and one assist. Niagara Falls also got a goal from Cole Vinnai as well. In addition, Niagara Falls received assists from Cam Stewart, who had two, Drew Berkel, who had three, and Tory McLean, Frank Nemeth, and Cole Langan, who each chipped in one.

Thorold kept Niagara Falls' goalie busy throughout the game, and Hunter Johnson made 39 saves on 43 shots.

The Blackhawks were helped by Tanner Pagendam, who racked up one goal. Pagendam scored on the power play 8:56 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Thorold. Thorold had gotten the advantage when the Canucks' Denis Creighton was sent off for inciting an opponent. Matthew Hoszko assisted on the tally. Kevin Lavoie also scored for Thorold. Other players who recorded assists for Thorold were Myles Falasca, who had three and Matt Pizzo and Kevin Millejours, who contributed one a piece.

Niagara Falls registered three goals on two power play opportunities. The Canucks ran into serious disciplinary problems during the contest, and Creighton was ejected from the game. Merante recorded 25 saves for the Blackhawks. Thorold incurred 18 minutes in penalty time with nine minors.