The Wheatley Sharks tried their best to erase a two-goal deficit, but the Essex 73s would not be denied the victory and hung on to win, 3-2.

Essex took a 3-1 lead during the second period, only to have Wheatley storm back on a Jon Woelk goal 7:27 into the third period to pull to one goal down.

Referees had their hands full with a major incident at 7:14 into the third period. Five fighting penalties were dished out along with seven game misconducts.

Both goalies were tossed from the game during the major incident in the third period.

The the 73s penalty box was a popular destination as the team totaled 12 minors and four majors for 74 minutes in penalty time. Essex had been averaging 22.0 minutes in penalties per game. The 73s put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow the Sharks to score on any of their 12 power plays. Essex did not reach the goal total it has come to expect this season. The 73s average 5.3 goals per game.

Essex was helped by Corey Beaulieu, who racked up three goals. In addition, Essex received assists from Daniel Slipchuck, who had three and Matthew Rosati, Tyler Raymont, and Alex Garon, who each chipped in one.

Wheatley racked up the penalties in the contest, and ended with nine minors and four majors for 58 minutes in penalty time. The total exceeded the 15.0 minutes per game the Sharks had been spending in the box. Wheatley forced the 73s' netminders to work all game long, ripping 37 shots and forcing 35 saves. Darien Ekblad made 33 stops and Jacob Kment made two.

Other players who recorded assists for Wheatley were Tyler Liboiron, Cale Phibbs, Brendon Anger, and Scott Florence, who contributed one a piece.

Essex registered two goals on nine power play opportunities. For the 73s, Ekblad, Rosati, Dallas Pereira, and Jordan Ryan were ejected from the contest. The Sharks' starting goalie, Conner MacKinnon, made 25 saves and finished with the loss before he was taken out in favor of Everitt Omstead, who stopped two shots. Team's Zach Wilson, Evan Makaric, Shawn Hope, Austin Thompson, Brett Bowman, and Conner MacKinnon were slapped with misconducts and ejected from the game.