The Stratford Cullitons gutted out a close 5-3 win against the Listowel Cyclones.

Each team kept the other at bay throughout the game, and Dylan Wettlaufer secured the win for Stratford with a goal in the second period.

Deven Kropf had two goals to lead the Cullitons to victory. Kropf found the back of the net 17:19 into the second period to make the score 4-2 Stratford and again while on the power play 14:08 into the third to make the score 5-3 Stratford.

Referees had their hands full with a major incident at 16:39 into the first period. Four fighting penalties were dished out along with two game misconducts.

Stratford forced its penalty killing units to work especially hard during the game, picking up six minors and two majors for 32 minutes in penalty time. The Cullitons had been averaging 25.0 minutes in penalties per game. Listowel was unable to stop Stratford from sending pucks towards the net, and the Cullitons eventually piled up 37 shots on goal. Stratford cashed in on power play opportunities, scoring three goals on four chances.

Stratford also got points from Wettlaufer, who also had one goal and one assist. Others who scored for Stratford included Mitch Brooks and Tyson Baker, who scored one goal each. In addition, Stratford received assists from Ryker Killins, who had two, Jake Pleon, who had three, and Patrick McKelvie, Jordan Currie, and Drew Gross, who contributed one a piece.

The Cyclones were helped by Kevin Gergley, who tallied one goal and one assist. Gergley scored on the power play 6:44 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Listowel. Listowel had gained a power play chance when Baker was whistled for interference. Ted Nichol picked up the assist. Listowel additionally got points from Blake Nichol, who also racked up one goal and one assist and Nichol, who also registered one goal and one assist. More assists for Listowel came via Kenny Huether and Tanner Mighton, who each chipped in one.

Nicholas Caldwell rejected 23 shots on goal for the Cullitons. Team's Trevor MacDonald and Mitch Vandergunst were slapped with misconducts and ejected from the game. The Cyclones' Daniel Dekoning stopped 32 shots out of the 37 that he faced. Listowel totaled 28 minutes in penalty time with four minors and two majors and went 3-for-7 on the power play. For the Cyclones, Connor Shaw and Chad Lemire were ejected from the contest.