In a game where neither team could get a cushion, the Cambridge Winter Hawks escaped with a 5-3 victory over the Elmira Sugar Kings.

Each team kept the other at bay throughout the game, and Chris Taylor secured the win for Cambridge with a goal in the third period.

The win by the Winter Hawks broke a deadlock and gave Cambridge a 2-1 advantage in the best of seven series.

The Winter Hawks were led by Taylor, who registered one goal and one assist. Taylor scored 18:38 into the third period to make the score 4-3 Cambridge. Brandon Plourde picked up the assist.

Cambridge kept Elmira's goalie busy throughout the game, and Hayden Neuman made 44 saves on 49 shots.

Cody Gratton also scored for Cambridge. In addition, Cambridge received assists from Maxime Lamontagne, who had two and Hudson Michaelis, Mitch Facey, Cameron Pentsa, and Andrew Coupland, who each chipped in one.

The Winter Hawks were unable to stop the Sugar Kings from sending pucks towards the net, and Elmira eventually piled up 36 shots on goal.

The Sugar Kings were led by Jake Weidner, who tallied one goal and one assist. Weidner scored on the power play 12:44 into the second period to make the score 3-2 Elmira. A high sticking penalty on Lawrence Pagnan had put Elmira on the power play. Cash Seraphim assisted on the tally. Elmira also got a goal from Brodie Whitehead as well. Other players who recorded assists for Elmira were Rob Kohli, Brandon Stewart, and Matt Harding, who contributed one a piece.

Lucas Machalski recorded 33 saves for Cambridge. The Winter Hawks incurred six minutes in penalty time with three minors. Cambridge ran into serious disciplinary problems during the contest, and Pentsa was ejected from the game. The Sugar Kings incurred 18 minutes in penalty time with four minors.