The Chicago Jr Bulldogs could not stop the Ft. Wayne Federals' Tyler Mason, who tallied a hat trick in a 7-4 win.

Mason's first goal came 6:58 into the second period. He then added goals at 14:54 into the third and at 19:13 into the third.

The win gave Ft. Wayne a 1-0 lead in the best of one series.

Chicago's power play was ineffective against the Federals' penalty kill, which allowed zero goals while shorthanded.

Ft. Wayne put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow the Jr Bulldogs to score on any of their seven power plays.

Ft. Wayne also got points from Cody Hess, who also had one goal and three assists and Tyler Teglia, who also racked up one goal and one assist. Brendan Lewis also scored for Ft. Wayne. More assists for Ft. Wayne came via Derek Moss, Ian Harris, and Austin Allard, who each chipped in one.

Chicago's penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on four Ft. Wayne power plays.

The Jr Bulldogs were helped by Jordan Swiderski, who tallied one goal. Swiderski scored 7:42 into the third period to make the score 4-3 Chicago. Luke Morin provided the assist. Chicago additionally got points from Matthew Soukup, who also registered one goal and one assist. Chicago also got a goal from Colin McAuliffe as well.

The Federals' Jesse Weitzel stopped 18 shots out of the 22 that he faced. Ft. Wayne incurred 14 minutes in penalty time with seven minors. Joseph Lennox made 13 saves for Chicago on 19 shots. The Jr Bulldogs incurred eight minutes in penalty time with four minors.