In a game where neither team could get a cushion, the Stratford Cullitons escaped with a 7-5 victory over the Cambridge Winter Hawks.

Each team kept the other at bay throughout the game, and Tyler Marchand secured the win for Stratford with a goal in the third period.

Chett Binning was all over the ice for the Cullitons, as he tallied two goals and one assist in the win. Binning scored the first of his two goals short handed at 10:52 into the third period to make the score 5-5. Stratford was on a disadvantage when Tyson Avery went off the ice for slashing. Trevor Sauder assisted on the tally. Binning's next tally short handed made the score 7-5 Stratford with 49 seconds left in the third period. Pat Looby picked up the assist.

The Cullitons' penalty kill excelled, as Stratford gave up one goal despite allowing six power plays.

Referees had their hands full with a major incident at 5:40 into the second period. Four fighting penalties were dished out along with two game misconducts.

The Cullitons could not stay out of the penalty box, as the team accrued 19 minutes in penalties during the game. The leading offender was Andrew Lorimer, who totaled seven minutes in penalty time with one minor and one major.

Stratford also got points from Binning, who also racked up two goals and one assist, Ray Huether, who also tallied one goal and one assist, Looby, who also racked up one goal and one assist, and Andrew Barton, who also grabbed one goal and two assists. Stratford got a goal from Brad McClure as well. Other players who recorded assists for Stratford were Pat Clifford, who had three and Mike Pleon, Steven Dol, and Brock Reynolds, who each chipped in one.

Cambridge's offense efficiently hummed along to the tune of 31 shots put on Stratford's net.

The Winter Hawks were helped by Ryan Clarke, who grabbed two goals. Clarke scored the first of his two goals at 11:31 into the first period to make the score 2-0 Cambridge. Michael Christou provided the assist. Clarke's next tally made the score 5-4 Cambridge with 1:01 left in the second period. Christou assisted on the tally. Cambridge additionally got points from Brennon Pearce, who also had one goal and one assist. Cameron Pentsa also scored for Cambridge. In addition, Cambridge received assists from Marselis Subban, Cody Gratton, Eric Hackborn, and Josh Timpano, who contributed one each.

Taylor Dupuis recorded 26 saves for the Cullitons. Stratford registered two goals on four power play opportunities. For the Cullitons, Lorimer was ejected from the game. Brendan Gorecki made 17 saves for Cambridge on 23 shots. The Winter Hawks ended with 15 minutes in penalty time with five minors and one major. Cambridge ran into disciplinary problems during the contest, and Jordan Pettitt was ejected from the game.