The Sugar Land Imperials gutted out a close 7-5 win against the Texas Jr. Brahmas.

Sugar Land gained the winning advantage on a goal by Matthew Winkle 10:40 into the third period and hung on until final buzzer.

Winkle was all over the ice for the Imperials, as he tallied two goals and one assist in the win. Winkle scored the first of his two goals on the power play at 8:18 into the second period to make the score 3-1 Sugar Land. Sugar Land had gained a power play chance when Daniel Skinner was whistled for tripping. Frank Muscarella picked up the assist. Winkle's next tally on the power play made the score 6-5 Sugar Land with 9:20 left in the third period. Muscarella assisted on the tally.

The Imperials were efficient when they shot the puck, scoring their goals on only 14 shots.

Sugar Land surpassed its usual scoring output this season. The Imperials have scored at the pace of 2.9 goals per game during the current campaign.

Sugar Land additionally got points from Aksel Campbell, who also tallied one goal and two assists, John Cuni, who also registered one goal and one assist, and Ryan Worley, who also tallied two goals and one assist. Sugar Land also got a goal from Ryan Meyer as well. In addition, Sugar Land received assists from Matt DeNure, who had one, Alex Tilman, who had two, and Ryan James, who had three.

Texas kept Sugar Land's goalie busy throughout the game, and Timothy OSullivan made 32 saves on 37 shots.

The Jr. Brahmas were helped by Mykyta Sheptytsky, who racked up two goals and one assist. Sheptytsky scored the first of his two goals at 8:52 into the second period to make the score 3-2 Sugar Land. Ryan Dunner provided the assist. Sheptytsky's next tally made the score 3-3 with 10:13 left in the second period. Dunner picked up the assist. Texas also got points from Nick Nitta, who also had one goal and one assist, Devin Pierce, who also registered one goal and one assist, and Dunner, who also had one goal and two assists to lead the team in points. More assists for Texas came via Paolo DiGenova, Conor Durkin, and Sam Gagnon, who contributed one each.

The Imperials incurred six minutes in penalty time with three minors. Quinton Reynolds made three saves before being replaced by Tristan Canter, who took the loss and made four saves. Texas totaled 11 minutes in penalty time with three minors and one major and went 1-for-2 on the power play.