The Wisconsin Whalers tried their best to erase a two-goal deficit, but the Peoria Mustangs would not be denied the victory and hung on to win, 5-4.

Peoria took a 5-3 lead during the third period, only to have Wisconsin storm back on a Ryan Martin goal 20:00 into the third period to pull to one goal down.

The Mustangs struggled on the penalty kill, allowing the Whalers to score two power play goals on three chances.

Peoria was led by Gage VanOrder, who tallied one goal and one assist. VanOrder scored 19:13 into the third period to make the score Peoria. Chance Homerin provided the assist. Peoria also got points from Brennan Anderson, who also racked up one goal and one assist and Connor Millard, who also grabbed one goal and one assist. Peoria also got a goal from Nathan Chasteen as well. Other players who recorded assists for Peoria were Levi Armstrong and Austin Wisely, who contributed one a piece and Marshall Gevers and Sam Turner, who each chipped in two.

Wisconsin was helped by Zack Johnson, who finished with one goal and two assists. Johnson scored on the power play 6:24 into the third period to make the score 3-2 Peoria. The Whalers had gotten the advantage when the Mustangs' Austin Ziakas was sent off for facemask. Jason Hoehn assisted on the tally. Wisconsin additionally got points from Hoehn, who also registered one goal and two assists and Brett Gates, who also had one goal and one assist. More assists for Wisconsin came via D.J. Mussey and Tim Tarvis, who contributed one a piece.

Marc Hayton recorded 25 saves for Peoria. The Mustangs incurred eight minutes in penalty time with four minors. Wisconsin's David Volkmann stopped 25 shots out of the 29 that he faced. The Whalers incurred six minutes in penalty time with three minors.