The Exeter Hawks' Max Naus scored 4:44 into overtime to beat the Aylmer Spitfires, 7-6 (OT).

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

The Hawks overcame a two-goal deficit to capture the victory. Exeter fell behind 6-4 after a power play goal by Aylmer's Cody Underhill at 5:34 in the third period. The Hawks tied things up at 6-6 on a goal by Chase Thornton at 16:31 in the third period.

The Spitfires were unable to stop Exeter from sending pucks towards the net, and the Hawks eventually piled up 58 shots on goal.

Exeter additionally got points from Austin Elkin, who also tallied one goal and one assist, Brett Dalton, who also had one goal and one assist, Naus, who also racked up one goal and one assist, and Christian Petrozza, who also registered one goal and one assist. In addition, Exeter received assists from Tyler Kettler, who had two and Frasier Lewis, Matt Clarke, Sam Vokes, Cory Burr, and Tyler Coleman, who each chipped in one.

Aylmer was helped by Jesiah Sweetland, who tallied two goals. Sweetland scored the first of his two goals on the power play at 9:46 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Aylmer. A cross checking penalty on Austin Carter had put the Spitfires on the power play. Luke Bettencourt picked up the assist. Sweetland's next tally on the power play made the score 4-3 Aylmer with 6:59 left in the second period. Aylmer had gained a power play chance when Liam Melady was whistled for slashing. Brett Dzyngel provided the assist. Aylmer also got points from Bettencourt, who also had one goal and two assists. Jake Morin also scored for Aylmer. More assists for Aylmer came via Kyle DiCicco, who had two, James Collins, who had three, and Jesse Tottle and Spencer Roloson, who contributed one each.

Trevor Fleming made 20 saves for Exeter on 26 shots. The Hawks totaled 51 minutes in penalty time with 13 minors and one major and went 2-for-5 on the power play. Team's Carter and Melady were slapped with misconducts and ejected from the game. Andrew Harriman-Duke rejected 51 shots on goal for the Spitfires. Aylmer totaled 51 minutes in penalty time with eight minors and one major and went 5-for-11 on the power play. The Spitfires ran into serious disciplinary problems during the contest, and Robert Shaw was ejected from the game.