The Fergus Falls Otters could not stop the St. Cloud Apollo Eagles' Paul Kenney, who tallied a hat trick in a 7-3 win.

Kenney got on the scoresheet 7:37 into the first period. He then added goals at 8:36 into the first and at 14:26 into the first.

The win gave St. Cloud Apollo a 1-0 lead in the best of one series.

The Eagles' penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on four Fergus Falls power plays. St. Cloud Apollo kept Fergus Falls' goalie busy throughout the game, and Andrew MacFarlane made 25 saves on 32 shots.

St. Cloud Apollo additionally got points from Jared Christen, who also finished with one goal and one assist and Jordan Keller, who also grabbed one goal and one assist. St. Cloud Apollo also got a goal from Dallas Haugen as well. Other players who recorded assists for St. Cloud Apollo were Brandon Bissett, who had two and Jason Omann, who had three.

The Otters were led by Colton Buseth, who registered two goals. Buseth scored the first of his two goals at 3:47 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Fergus Falls. Joe Nathe assisted on the tally. Buseth's next tally made the score 4-3 St. Cloud Apollo with 7:26 left in the second period. Nathe picked up the assist. Casey Ward also scored for Fergus Falls. More assists for Fergus Falls came via Austin Hanson, who had one.

Nick Althaus made 18 saves for the Eagles on 21 shots. St. Cloud Apollo incurred eight minutes in penalty time with four minors. Fergus Falls incurred 14 minutes in penalty time with seven minors.