The Essex 73s were firing on all cylinders against the Belle River Canadiens, and when the final buzzer sounded 73s emerged with a 7-4 win.

Essex got the win thanks to a great game by Corey Beaulieu, who had one goal and three assists. Beaulieu scored on the power play 11:49 into the second period to make the score 5-2 Essex. The 73s had gotten the advantage when Belle River's Guy Levesque was sent off for charging. Alex Garon provided the assist.

The Canadiens' power play was ineffective against Essex's penalty kill, which allowed zero goals while shorthanded.

Referees had their hands full with a major incident at 14:53 into the third period. Six fighting penalties were dished out along with four game misconducts.

The the 73s penalty box was a popular destination as the team totaled 10 minors and four majors for 60 minutes in penalty time. Essex surpassed its season average of 20.0 penalty minutes per game. The 73s made Belle River's netminders to work without much rest, getting 38 shots and forcing 31 saves. Jacob Lucier made 19 stops and Mitch Topliffe made 12. Essex put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow the Canadiens to score on any of their eight power plays.

Essex additionally got points from Garon, who also had one goal and one assist, Scott Bromley, who also racked up one goal and one assist, Daniel Slipchuck, who also registered two goals and one assist, and Aaron Thibert, who also tallied one goal and one assist. Matthew Hebert also scored for Essex. In addition, Essex received assists from Tyler Scott, who had two and Dallas Pereira and Daniel McIntyre, who contributed one a piece.

Belle River racked up the penalties in the contest, and ended with nine minors and four majors for 48 minutes in penalty time. The total exceeded the 17.0 minutes per game the Canadiens had been spending in the box. Belle River kept the 73s' goalie busy throughout the game, and Darien Ekblad made 27 saves on 31 shots.

The Canadiens were helped by Brenden Crundwell, who had one goal. Crundwell scored 1:57 into the second period to make the score 3-2 Essex. Brian Johnson picked up the assist. Belle River also got a goal from Mike Ditty as well. More assists for Belle River came via Michael Long, who had one.

Essex registered three goals on six power play opportunities. For the 73s, Pereira, Tyler Raymont, Dan Mainella, and Chad Hedrick were ejected from the contest. Team's Sebastian Kanally, Tyler Turner, Crundwell, Logan Percy, and Trevor Sparks were slapped with misconducts and ejected from the game.