M2 Southern Illinois -Edwardsvill could not stop M2 Northern Illinois University's Justin Rucinski, who tallied a hat trick in a 7-2 win.

Rucinski's first goal came 16:38 into the first period. He then added goals at 53 seconds into the third and at 12:02 into the third.

M2 Southern Illinois -Edwardsvill was doomed by its poor performance on special teams, as M2 Northern Illinois University was able to score four times while on the power play.

M2 Northern Illinois University's offense rang up 48 shots on M2 Southern Illinois -Edwardsvill's net. M2 Northern Illinois University bested its season scoring average. M2 Northern Illinois University has scored at the pace of 4.9 goals per game during the current campaign. M2 Northern Illinois University could not stay out of the penalty box, as the team accrued 18 minutes in penalties during the game.

M2 Northern Illinois University also got points from Troy Heurlin, who also had one goal and one assist. M2 Northern Illinois University also got a goal from Eric Svejda as well. In addition, M2 Northern Illinois University received assists from Brian Pounds, who had three and Ron Coletta, John Luciana, and Nick Leon, who each chipped in one.

M2 Southern Illinois -Edwardsvill's offense was clicking better than usual and put 36 shots on goal during the game, better than the 0.3 shots per game it averages. M2 Southern Illinois -Edwardsvill was forced to rely heavily on their penalty kill unit throughout the game, as it racked up 24 penalty minutes.

M2 Southern Illinois -Edwardsvill was helped by Taylor Emerick, who tallied one goal. Emerick scored on the power play 19:05 into the first period to make the score 3-1 M2 Northern Illinois University. M2 Southern Illinois -Edwardsvill had gained a power play chance when Leon was whistled for unsportsmanlike conduct. Ryan Rauscher picked up the assist. M2 Southern Illinois -Edwardsvill additionally got points from Nick Edwards, who also registered one goal and one assist. More assists for M2 Southern Illinois -Edwardsvill came via Mitchell Gevers, who had one.

Alex Hare rejected 34 shots on goal for M2 Northern Illinois University. Brendan Wright made 41 saves for M2 Southern Illinois -Edwardsvill on 48 shots. M2 Southern Illinois -Edwardsvill registered one goal on seven power play opportunities.