The Markham Royals climbed out of a three-goal hole to beat the Burlington Cougars, 6-5.

Markham let multiple leads slip away before eventually digging out of a three hole to pick up the win. The Royals took a 1-0 advantage on a goal by Rylee St. Onge at 1:55 in the first period. Markham went down 4-1 after Burlington's Jordan Peacock put the puck home on the power play at 12:23 in the second period. After knotting things up at 5-5 on a goal by David Thomson at 16:39 in the third, the Royals got the game-winner from Tyson Bruce at 19:02 in the third period.

With three goals and two assists between them, Bruce and Khadyn Butterfly teamed up to power Markham's offense. Bruce tallied one goal and two assists and Butterfly also added two goals.

The Cougars were unable to stop the Royals from sending pucks towards the net, and Markham eventually piled up 37 shots on goal. The Royals surpassed their usual scoring output this season. This season, Markham averages 3.8 goals per contest. The Royals' defense let in more goals than it usually has this year. Markham averages 2.4 goals allowed per game. The defensemen of the Royals were also effective in Burlington's zone, and came away with two goals.

Markham also got points from Brendan Valko, who also registered one goal and one assist and Hudson Michaelis, who also had one goal and one assist. Other players who recorded assists for Markham were Matthew Dunlop, who had one and Aaron Spivak and Nick Thomakos, who contributed two each.

The Cougars' offense rang up 38 shots on Markham's net.

Burlington was led by Nathan Gomes, who finished with two goals and one assist. Gomes scored the first of his two goals at 3:51 into the second period to make the score 1-1. Zac Herrmann assisted on the tally. Gomes' next tally made the score 3-1 Burlington with 12:33 left in the second period. Mike Faliero picked up the assist. Burlington additionally got points from Thomson, who also racked up one goal and one assist and Jack Jeffers, who also registered one goal and one assist. In addition, Burlington received assists from Willy Paul, who had two and Nicholas Holt, Samuel Gagnon, and Daniel Volpe, who each chipped in one.

Eric Pitcher rejected 33 shots on goal for the Royals. Markham incurred 18 minutes in penalty time with four minors. John Jeffries recorded 31 saves for the Cougars. Burlington incurred 10 minutes in penalty time with five minors.