The Pickering Panthers tried their best to erase a three-goal deficit, but the Newmarket Hurricanes would not be denied the victory and hung on to win, 5-4.

Newmarket made the score 5-2 on a goal by Aidan Comparelli at 10:18 in the second period, and Pickering got as close as 5-4 when BJ Salerno scored 19:35 into the third period.

Ryan McReynolds had one goal and two assists to lead the Hurricanes. McReynolds scored 18:51 into the first period to make the score 2-2. Jonathan Colley picked up the assist.

Newmarket forced Panthers' netminders to work between the pipes, racking up 36 shots and forcing 31 saves. Jordan Cartney made 16 stops and Austin Washkurak made 15.

Newmarket additionally got points from Ryan Shaw, who also racked up one goal and one assist and Ryan Young, who also had one goal and one assist. Taylor Joseph also scored for Newmarket. More assists for Newmarket came via Curtis Harvey, Cameron Nicoll, Joseph Mizzi, and Anthony Salemi, who each chipped in one.

The Panthers' offense rang up 39 shots on the Hurricanes' net.

Others who scored for Pickering included John Hudgin and Dalton Lawrence, who each put in one. In addition, Pickering received assists from Lucas Condotta, who had two and Brian Hurley, Daniel Butchart, Chris Sekelyk, and Blake Coffey, who contributed one each.

Tyler Richardson made 35 saves for Newmarket on 39 shots. The Hurricanes incurred 14 minutes in penalty time with seven minors. Pickering totaled 13 minutes in penalty time with four minors and one major and went 2-for-6 on the power play. The Panthers ran into serious disciplinary problems during the contest, and Stefano Pezzetta was ejected from the game.