Missoula Maulers gutted out a close 4-3 win against Idaho Junior Steelheads.

Neither team gained more than a one-goal lead, and Alex Shalamov's goal in the third period proved to be the difference maker.

With the win, Missoula Maulers avoided elimination to make the series score 1-1 in the best of three series.

Missoula Maulers was paced by Shalamov, who racked up one goal. Shalamov scored 9:31 into the third period to make the score 4-3 Missoula Maulers. Dominic Rinaldi picked up the assist.

Missoula Maulers additionally got points from Sawyer Jacobson, who also had one goal and one assist and Corey Schafer, who also registered one goal and one assist to lead the team in points. Missoula Maulers also got a goal from Edward Pollon as well. In addition, Missoula Maulers received assists from Vladislav Zamzhytski, Justin Barnes, and Tyler Lodin, who each chipped in one.

Idaho Junior Steelheads put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Missoula Maulers to score on any of its five power plays.

Idaho Junior Steelheads was helped by Robert Neuwirth, who grabbed one goal. Neuwirth scored 3:51 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Idaho Junior Steelheads. Nikita Zgirskis assisted on the tally. Others who scored for Idaho Junior Steelheads included Victor Carlsson and Macky Power, who scored one goal each. Other players who recorded assists for Idaho Junior Steelheads were Kyle Williams, who had two and Kris Apsitis and Kyle Kruenegel, who contributed one each.

Aron Holmgren made 17 saves for Missoula Maulers on 20 shots. Missoula Maulers incurred six minutes in penalty time with three minors. Idaho Junior Steelheads took out Austin Althaus after he had made seven saves and installed Tyler Hough in goal, where he finished with 11 saves and the loss. Idaho Junior Steelheads incurred 10 minutes in penalty time with five minors.