The Fairbanks Ice Dogs tried their best to erase a two-goal deficit, but the Fresno Monsters would not be denied the victory and hung on to win, 2-1.

Fresno took a 2-0 lead during the first period, only to have Fairbanks storm back on a Max Birkinbine goal 15:53 into the third period to pull to one goal down.

The Monsters were led by goalie Tomas Sholl, who finished with 28 saves while allowing one goal. Sholl certainly lowered his goals against average, which was 2.38 entering the contest.

Fresno was helped by Zack Wallace, who had one goal. Wallace scored 10:16 into the first period to make the score Fresno. Dominic Valencia assisted on the tally. Filip Winkler also scored for Fresno. In addition, Fresno received assists from Brendan Bradley and Petr Mainer, who contributed one a piece.

The Ice Dogs put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow the Monsters to score on any of their five power plays. Fairbanks could not produce up to it normal offensive output. The Ice Dogs put an average of 3.8 pucks into the net per game. Fairbanks' defensemen also contributed in the offensive zone and ended up with 13 shots between them.

Other players who recorded assists for Fairbanks were Garret Clemment and Colton Wolter, who each chipped in one.

Fresno incurred four minutes in penalty time with two minors. The Ice Dogs' Steve Perry stopped 18 shots out of the 20 that he faced. Fairbanks incurred eight minutes in penalty time with four minors.