The Cloquet Esko Carlton Lumberjacks gutted out a close 4-2 win against the Forest Lake Rangers.

Neither team gained more than a two-goal lead, and Weston Michaud's goal in the second period proved to be the difference maker.

The win gave Cloquet Esko Carlton a 1-0 lead in the best of one series.

Karson Kuhlman had one goal and two assists to lead the Lumberjacks. Kuhlman scored 5:55 into the third period to make the score 4-2 Cloquet Esko Carlton. Dalton Johnson assisted on the tally.

Beau Michaud also scored for Cloquet Esko Carlton. Other players who recorded assists for Cloquet Esko Carlton were Kyle Klatt and James Newgren, who contributed one a piece.

Forest Lake's offense rang up 36 shots on Cloquet Esko Carlton's net.

The Rangers were helped by John Suess, who had one goal. Suess scored 35 seconds into the second period to make the score 2-1 Cloquet Esko Carlton. Alex Egle provided the assist. Forest Lake also got a goal from Trevor Thompson as well. In addition, Forest Lake received assists from Kyle Parker, Collin Carpenter, and Jack Schmidt, who each chipped in one.

Justin Ketola made 34 saves for the Lumberjacks on 36 shots. Cloquet Esko Carlton avoided the penalty box for the entire game and scored zero goals off of zero power plays. Forest Lake's Jesse Garcia stopped 17 shots out of the 21 that he faced. The Rangers ended with no penalties and went 0-for-0 on the power play.