Berkley Bruins tried to dig itself out of a five-goal hole, but Michigan Ice Dogs held on for an 8-6 victory.

Michigan Ice Dogs made the score 7-2 on a goal by Stephen Sanborn at 1:36 in the third period, and Berkley Bruins got as close as 8-6 when Grant McCormack scored 14:12 into the third period.

Michigan Ice Dogs' penalty kill excelled, as Michigan Ice Dogs gave up one goal despite allowing six power plays.

Michigan Ice Dogs was often in penalty trouble, totaling 10 minors and one major for 35 minutes in penalty time. Michigan Ice Dogs surpassed its season average of 28.0 penalty minutes per game. Michigan Ice Dogs' offense rang up 46 shots on Berkley Bruins' net. Michigan Ice Dogs surpassed its usual scoring output this season. Michigan Ice Dogs has scored at the pace of 3.9 goals per game during the current campaign. Michigan Ice Dogs got its opportunities on the power play, but did not convert any of its nine chances.

Michigan Ice Dogs was led by Hunter Ledgerwood, who tallied two goals and one assist. Ledgerwood scored the first of his two goals at 9:37 into the first period to make the score 2-0 Michigan Ice Dogs. Ledgerwood's next tally made the score 6-1 Michigan Ice Dogs with 4:15 left in the second period. Matthew Hartford assisted on the tally. Michigan Ice Dogs additionally got points from Sanborn, who also finished with one goal and one assist, Logan Bennett, who also racked up two goals and one assist, Drew Hull, who also registered one goal and one assist, Marc Rotondo, who also grabbed one goal and one assist, and Hartford, who also finished with one goal and one assist. More assists for Michigan Ice Dogs came via Vincent Ryckman, Cameron Kucharski, Tyler Textor, Robert Schultz, Michael Diaz, Cory Markovich, and Christopher Carpenter, who each chipped in one.

The Berkley Bruins penalty box was a popular destination as the team totaled 11 minors and two majors for 52 minutes in penalty time. The total exceeded the 35.0 minutes per game Berkley Bruins had been spending in the box. Berkley Bruins forced Michigan Ice Dogs' goalies to work between the pipes, launching 35 shots and forcing 29 saves. Ryckman made 27 stops and Anthony Veresan made two. Berkley Bruins stifled Michigan Ice Dogs' power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man.

Berkley Bruins also got points from Timothy Muhsman, who also had one goal and two assists and Vaughn Clouston, who also registered one goal and one assist. Steven Kubas also scored for Berkley Bruins. In addition, Berkley Bruins received assists from Christian Belan, who had two and Austin Wilson, Alfonso (AJ) DiMercurio, and Evan Wilson, who contributed one a piece.

Michigan Ice Dogs ran into serious disciplinary problems during the contest, and Carpenter was ejected from the game. Kory Dombrowski recorded 38 saves for Berkley Bruins. For Berkley Bruins, Clouston was ejected from the game.