In a game where neither team could get a cushion, Oakland Jr. Grizzlies (MM) escaped with a 5-4 victory over Ohio Blue Jackets (MM).

Oakland Jr. Grizzlies (MM) gained the winning advantage on a goal by Dalton Messina 17:18 into the third period and hung on until final buzzer.

The win gave Oakland Jr. Grizzlies (MM) a 1-0 lead in the best of one series.

Messina and TOMMY PARROTTINO provided the spark for Oakland Jr. Grizzlies (MM), combining for four goals and two assists. Messina tallied two goals and one assist and PARROTTINO also notched two goals and one assist.

Oakland Jr. Grizzlies (MM)'s penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on four Ohio Blue Jackets (MM) power plays. Oakland Jr. Grizzlies (MM) forced Ohio Blue Jackets (MM) goalie Eric Dop to work between the pipes, taking 34 shots. Oakland Jr. Grizzlies (MM) did not rack up many penalties in the contest, tallying only one minor for 12 minutes in penalty time.

Oakland Jr. Grizzlies (MM) also got points from PARROTTINO, who also racked up two goals and one assist to lead the team in points. Oakland Jr. Grizzlies (MM) also got a goal from NICK GRANOWICZ as well. In addition, Oakland Jr. Grizzlies (MM) received assists from Blake Evennou, who had two and Daniel Clark and JULIAN BIONDO, who contributed one each.

Ohio Blue Jackets (MM) was led by Justin Richards, who had two goals and two assists. Richards scored the first of his two goals at 4:54 into the second period to make the score 1-1. Trevor St-Jean picked up the assist. Richards' next tally made the score 4-3 Ohio Blue Jackets (MM) with 13:32 left in the third period. Cole Michaelis assisted on the tally. Connor Pooley also scored for Ohio Blue Jackets (MM). Other players who recorded assists for Ohio Blue Jackets (MM) were Ted Austin, Bryan Babcock, and Collin Siebenaler, who each chipped in one.

Nikita Babintsev made 23 saves for Oakland Jr. Grizzlies (MM) on 27 shots. Oakland Jr. Grizzlies (MM) registered one goal on two power play opportunities. Dop rejected 29 shots on goal for Ohio Blue Jackets (MM). Ohio Blue Jackets (MM) incurred six minutes in penalty time with three minors.