The Granite City Lumberjacks gutted out a close 3-2 win against the Flint Jr. Generals.

Neither team gained more than a one-goal lead, and Trevor Ness' goal in the third period proved to be the difference maker.

The win gave Granite City a 1-0 lead in the best of one series.

The Lumberjacks were sparked by Ness, who grabbed one goal. Ness scored 6:18 into the third period to make the score 3-2 Granite City. Riley Bengtson provided the assist.

Granite City put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Flint to score on any of its four power plays. The Lumberjacks' offense rang up 36 shots on the Jr. Generals' net.

Granite City additionally got points from Aaron Azevedo, who also had one goal and one assist. Granite City also got a goal from Zac Sikich as well. In addition, Granite City received assists from TJ Christenson, who had two and Jake Peterson and Peter Lindblad, who each chipped in one.

Flint was helped by Andrew Lay, who had one goal. Lay scored 2:38 into the third period to make the score 2-2. Richard Jansson assisted on the tally. Warren Carter also scored for Flint. Other players who recorded assists for Flint were Joshua Kestner, who had one.

Granite City's Matt Grove stopped 27 shots out of the 29 that he faced. The Lumberjacks incurred 18 minutes in penalty time with four minors. Benjamin Myers rejected 33 shots on goal for the Jr. Generals. Flint incurred eight minutes in penalty time with four minors.