Tom Diffendal lifted the Three Rivers Vengeance to a 7-3 victory with a hat trick against the Michigan Mountain Cats.

Diffendal notched his first tally 8:13 into the first period. He then added goals at 5:42 into the second and at 8:08 into the second.

The game was close after the first frame, but Three Rivers banged in four goals during the second period to put the victory out of reach for Michigan.

The Vengeance made the Mountain Cats' netminders to work without much rest, finishing with 43 shots and forcing 36 saves. Spencer Craig made 17 stops and Dominic Juncaj made 19. Three Rivers' penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on three Michigan power plays. The Vengeance bested their season scoring average. Three Rivers averages 4.3 goals per game.

Three Rivers additionally got points from Nico Vecchio, who also had one goal and one assist. Others who scored for Three Rivers included Patrick Coburn, who had one and Chase Leonelli, who had two. Other players who recorded assists for Three Rivers were Ian Wood, who had two, Robbie Sigurdsson, who had three, and Alex Berardinelli, Damien Lona, Thomas Leistner, and Tyler Stepke, who each chipped in one.

Michigan's offense rang up 32 shots on the Vengeance's net. The Mountain Cats struggled on the penalty kill, allowing Three Rivers to score three power play goals on four chances. The defensemen of Michigan were also effective in the Vengeance's zone, and came away with two goals.

The Mountain Cats were helped by Ben Mack, who racked up one goal. Mack scored 7:02 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Michigan. John Arms provided the assist. Kent Wargo also scored for Michigan. In addition, Michigan received assists from Eric Keljo, who had two and Guy Soulliere and Marshall Helton, who contributed one a piece.

Stepke recorded 29 saves for Three Rivers. The Vengeance incurred eight minutes in penalty time with four minors. Michigan incurred 10 minutes in penalty time with five minors.