The Brantford Golden Eagles gutted out a close 3-2 win against the Cambridge Winter Hawks.

Neither team gained more than a one-goal lead, and Brandon Montour's goal in the second period proved to be the difference maker.

The win gave Brantford a 1-0 lead in the best of seven series.

The Golden Eagles were paced by Montour, who had one goal and one assist. Montour scored on the power play 17:40 into the second period to make the score 3-2 Brantford. Brantford had gotten the advantage when Cambridge's Darcy Meyer was sent off for goalie interference. Mike Riley provided the assist.

In a losing effort, the Winter Hawks were led by Cody Gratton, who tallied two goals. Gratton scored the first of his two goals short handed at 4:50 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Cambridge. Cambridge found itself down a man on Ryan Clarke's boarding. Gratton's next tally short handed made the score 2-2 with 4:42 left in the second period.

The Golden Eagles put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow the Winter Hawks to score on any of their five power plays. Cambridge was unable to stop Brantford from sending pucks towards the net, and the Golden Eagles eventually piled up 42 shots on goal.

Brantford also got points from Tyler Norrie, who also finished with one goal and two assists. Other players who recorded assists for Brantford were Matt Quilty, who had one.

Brantford's Bryce O Hagan stopped 26 shots out of the 28 that he faced. The Golden Eagles incurred 16 minutes in penalty time with eight minors. Brendan Gorecki made 39 saves for the Winter Hawks on 42 shots. Cambridge incurred 16 minutes in penalty time with eight minors.