The Wellington Dukes tried their best to erase a four-goal deficit, but the Trenton Golden Hawks would not be denied the victory and hung on to win, 6-4.

Trenton made the score 6-2 on a goal by Brady Wiffen at 19:26 in the second period, and Wellington got as close as 6-4 when Marco Azzano scored 17:49 into the third period.

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

Wiffen was all over the ice for Trenton, as he tallied two goals and two assists in the win. Wiffen scored the first of his two goals on the power play at 6:09 into the first period to make the score 2-0 Trenton. The Golden Hawks had gotten the advantage when the Dukes' Jacob Panetta was sent off for roughing after whistle. Braden Hellems provided the assist. Wiffen's next tally on the power play made the score 6-2 Trenton with 34 seconds left in the second period. Zach de Concilys picked up the assist.

Trenton forced Wellington goalie Daniel Potter to work between the pipes, taking 32 shots.

Trenton also got points from Danny Liscio, who also tallied one goal and one assist and de Concilys, who also registered one goal and three assists. Others who scored for Trenton included Tyler Donaldson and Loren Ulett, who scored one goal each. In addition, Trenton received assists from Christian DiFelice, Blayne Oliver, Bobby Polachek, Matt Pizzo, and Hunter Fargey, who contributed one each.

The Dukes kept the Golden Hawks' goalie busy throughout the game, and Justin Kapelmaster made 33 saves on 37 shots.

Wellington also had goals scored by Brody Morris and Joe McKeown, who each put in one. More assists for Wellington came via Andrew Coupland, who had two and Luc Brown, Will Cook, Abbott Girduckis, Conner Judson, and Nick Devito, who each chipped in one.

Trenton incurred 12 minutes in penalty time with six minors. Wellington's Potter stopped 26 shots out of the 32 that he faced. The Dukes incurred eight minutes in penalty time with four minors.