The Smiths Falls Bears tried to dig themselves out of a two-goal hole, but the Cumberland Grads held on for a 3-2 victory.

Cumberland made the score 3-1 on a goal by Eric Clitsome at 3:33 in the third period, and Smiths Falls got as close as 3-2 when Nicolas Brazeau scored in the third period.

The Bears' power play was ineffective against the Grads' penalty kill, which allowed zero goals while shorthanded.

Cumberland forced opposing netminders to work in net, finishing with 36 shots and forcing 33 saves. Mackenzie Sawyer made 27 stops and Laine Parent made six. The Grads put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Smiths Falls to score on any of its seven power plays. Cumberland was forced to rely heavily on their penalty kill unit throughout the game, as it racked up 21 penalty minutes. The leading offender was Keegan Harper, who totaled nine minutes in penalty time with two minors and one major.

Jonathon Elliott also scored for Cumberland. More assists for Cumberland came via Marc Beckstead and Kale Wild, who each chipped in one and Daniel Walsh and Philippe Drouin, who contributed two each.

The Bears were often in penalty trouble, totaling seven minors and one major for 19 minutes in penalty time. The total exceeded the 17 minutes per game Smiths Falls had been spending in the box. The Bears' penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on seven Cumberland power plays. Smiths Falls got an offensive boost from its blueliners, who contributed one goal during the game.

The Bears were helped by Jarrett Williams, who racked up one goal. Williams scored 15:34 into the second period to make the score 1-1. Dean Galasso provided the assist. In addition, Smiths Falls received assists from Chris Maniccia and Connor McLaren, who each chipped in one.

Patrick Martin recorded 25 saves for the Grads. For Cumberland, Harper was ejected from the game. For Smiths Falls, Connor McGrath was ejected from the game.