The Three Rivers Vengeance tried their best to erase a three-goal deficit, but the Toledo Cherokee would not be denied the victory and hung on to win, 4-3.

Toledo made the score 4-1 on a goal by Jordan Fogarty at 23 seconds in the third period, and Three Rivers got as close as 4-3 when Tom Diffendal scored 11:15 into the third period.

The Cherokee forced Vengeance's netminders to work hard to keep the puck out of the net, taking 33 shots and forcing 29 saves. Tyler Stepke made 23 stops and Nate Mortland made six. Toledo capitalized on the Vengeance's penalties, netting three goals while skating with a man advantage.

The Cherokee were helped by Brandon Layman, who racked up one goal and one assist. Layman scored on the power play 10:35 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Toledo. Toledo had gotten the advantage when Three Rivers' Damien Lona was sent off for tripping. Tyler Zalecki picked up the assist. Toledo also got points from Zalecki, who also had one goal and one assist and Fogarty, who also racked up one goal and one assist. Austin Turner also scored for Toledo. In addition, Toledo received assists from Jake Manders, who had two and David Bogart, Andrew Benyo, and Connor Crowe, who contributed one a piece.

The Vengeance were often in penalty trouble, totaling eight minors and one major for 31 minutes in penalty time. Three Rivers had been averaging 28.0 minutes in penalties per game. The Vengeance's offense rang up 32 shots on the Cherokee's net.

Three Rivers was helped by Ian Wood, who grabbed one goal. Wood scored on the power play 14:33 into the first period to make the score 1-1. The Vengeance earned a power play opportunity when Nicholas Brazeal was put in the box for slashing. Nico Vecchio provided the assist. Three Rivers also got a goal from Justin Von Spreecken as well. Other players who recorded assists for Three Rivers were Vincent Susi, who had one.

Nate Gay rejected 29 shots on goal for Toledo. The Cherokee incurred 18 minutes in penalty time with nine minors. Three Rivers registered one goal on four power play opportunities. For the Vengeance, Tyler Berry was ejected from the game.