Detroit Fighting Irish came close to giving away a three-goal lead to Michigan Ice Dogs, but did just enough to escape with a 5-3 victory.

Detroit Fighting Irish led by three goals at one point and ended with the victory. The largest advantage in the game came when Detroit Fighting Irish's Ken Winter's scored at 17:13 in the second period to put Detroit Fighting Irish up 4-1.

Richie Pinkowski and Anthony Wojciechowski provided the spark for Detroit Fighting Irish, combining for two goals and five assists. Pinkowski racked up one goal and three assists and Wojciechowski also notched one goal and two assists.

Detroit Fighting Irish forced its penalty killing units to work especially hard during the game, picking up seven minors and three majors for 29 minutes in penalty time. Detroit Fighting Irish had been averaging 22.0 minutes in penalties per game. Detroit Fighting Irish forced Michigan Ice Dogs goalie Jacob Dugan to work between the pipes, taking 39 shots.

Detroit Fighting Irish also got points from Jacob Hernandez, who also finished with one goal and two assists and Wojciechowski, who also registered one goal and two assists. More assists for Detroit Fighting Irish came via Ryan Brown, Nolan Jakrzewski, and James Smith, who each chipped in one.

Michigan Ice Dogs excelled on the penalty kill, not giving up a single goal in five chances. Michigan Ice Dogs' penalty killing units received substantial work throughout the game as Michigan Ice Dogs finished with 35 penalty minutes.

Michigan Ice Dogs was helped by Logan Bennett, who had two goals. Bennett scored the first of his two goals at 40 seconds into the third period to make the score 4-2 Detroit Fighting Irish. Brent Young assisted on the tally. Bennett's next tally made the score 4-3 Detroit Fighting Irish with 12:45 left in the third period. Marc Rotondo picked up the assist. Michigan Ice Dogs additionally got points from Rotondo, who also racked up one goal and one assist to lead the team in points. Other players who recorded assists for Michigan Ice Dogs were Tyler Tamer, Robert Schultz, Adam Stadler, and Tyler Hewitt, who contributed one a piece.

Tyler Skulley made 12 saves for Detroit Fighting Irish on 15 shots. Dugan rejected 34 shots on goal for Michigan Ice Dogs. Michigan Ice Dogs registered zero goals on two power play opportunities.