The Fort Erie Meteors tried their best to erase a three-goal deficit, but the Thorold Blackhawks would not be denied the victory and hung on to win, 4-3.

Thorold made the score 4-1 on a goal by Joel Forestell at 10:40 in the second period, and Fort Erie got as close as 4-3 when Carson Johnstone scored 1:08 into the third period.

Tanner Hildbrant was all over the ice for the Blackhawks, as he tallied two goals in the win. Hildbrant found the back of the net on the power play 19:52 into the first period to make the score 2-1 Thorold and again while 8:02 into the second to make the score 3-1 Thorold.

Thorold managed to stay out of the box better than usual, tallying one minor for two minutes in penalty time. The Blackhawks wound up below its season average of 22.0 penalty minutes per game. Thorold's offense rang up 53 shots on the Meteors' net. Team's forwards weren't the only contributers offensively, and the team's defensemen showcased their scoring touch with three goals.

Thorold additionally got points from Vince Dunn, who also racked up one goal and one assist. Other players who recorded assists for Thorold were Adrian Copeland, who had two, Myles Falasca, who had three, and Ed Creighton and Dan Chudobiak, who each chipped in one.

Fort Erie forced the Blackhawks goalie Vinny Merante to work between the pipes, taking 45 shots.

The Meteors were helped by Jesse Pereira, who grabbed one goal. Pereira scored 16:53 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Fort Erie. Aaron Wanat assisted on the tally. Nik Passero also scored for Fort Erie. More assists for Fort Erie came via Anthony Passero, who had three and Jesse Parker and Riley Devine, who contributed one a piece.

Merante recorded 42 saves for Thorold. The Blackhawks registered one goal on two power play opportunities. Wyatt Pickrell rejected 49 shots on goal for Fort Erie. The Meteors incurred four minutes in penalty time with two minors.