The Fort Erie Meteors gutted out a close 4-3 win against the Buffalo Jr. Blades.

Each team kept the other at bay throughout the game, and Jesse Pereira secured the win for Fort Erie with a goal in the third period.

Pereira was all over the ice for the Meteors, as he finished with two goals in the win.

Buffalo's power play was ineffective against Fort Erie's penalty kill, which allowed one goal while shorthanded.

The the Meteors penalty box was a popular destination as the team totaled 19 minors and one major for 43 minutes in penalty time. The total exceeded the 27.0 minutes per game Fort Erie had been spending in the box. The Meteors' offense rang up 49 shots on the Jr. Blades' net.

Mike Boles also scored for Fort Erie. More assists for Fort Erie came via Brandon Voic, who had two and Austin Carroll, Mac Passero, Riley Devine, Cameron Fairgrieve, Jonathan England, and Nik Passero, who each chipped in one.

Buffalo racked up the penalties in the contest, and ended with 12 minors and one major for 39 minutes in penalty time. The Jr. Blades had been averaging 22.0 minutes in penalties per game. Buffalo forced Fort Erie goalie Wyatt Pickrell to work between the pipes, taking 31 shots.

The Jr. Blades were helped by Domenic Gruttadauria, who had one goal. Gruttadauria scored 9:48 into the second period to make the score 1-1. Gary Seitz assisted on the tally. Buffalo also got a goal from Tom Hanna as well. In addition, Buffalo received assists from Luke Maving, Kennedy Monaco, Tyler Kessler, and Tyler Gallagher, who contributed one a piece.

Pickrell recorded 28 saves for the Meteors. Fort Erie registered one goal on six power play opportunities. For the Meteors, Fairgrieve, Richard DeMarco, and Kyle Marino were ejected from the contest. Buffalo's Ian Shorthouse stopped 45 shots out of the 49 that he faced. Team's Gallagher and Andrew Herrmann were slapped with misconducts and ejected from the game.