The Walkerton Hawks gutted out a close 5-3 win against the Wingham Ironmen.

Each team kept the other at bay throughout the game, and Nathan Kramer secured the win for Walkerton with a goal in the third period.

The Hawks were paced by Kramer, who registered one goal and one assist. Kramer scored on the power play 10:35 into the third period to make the score 4-3 Walkerton. A slashing penalty on Justin Jacklin had put Walkerton on the power play. Austin Russell provided the assist.

The Hawks were held back by their power play unit, which tallied two goals on nine chances. Walkerton got an offensive boost from its blueliners, who contributed two goals during the game. The Hawks' penalty killing units received substantial work throughout the game as Walkerton finished with 50 penalty minutes.

Walkerton additionally got points from Lauchlin Elder, who also finished with one goal and one assist and Brandon Lamothe, who also tallied one goal and one assist. Walkerton also had goals scored by Carter Franks and Jay Thomson, who scored one goal each. Other players who recorded assists for Walkerton were Calvin Penney, who had two and Alex Perrault and Brett Coulson, who each chipped in one.

Wingham forced the Hawks goalie Tristan Lewis to work between the pipes, taking 32 shots. Team could not crack Walkerton's penalty kill and was held to two power play goals while having 12 opportunities to play with the man advantage. The Ironmen could not stay out of the penalty box, as the team accrued 32 minutes in penalties during the game.

Wingham was helped by Ryan McNeil, who grabbed one goal. McNeil scored on the power play 15:14 into the first period to make the score 1-1. The Ironmen had gotten the advantage when the Hawks' Kramer was sent off for roughing after whistle. Holdyn Lansink picked up the assist. Brett Brophy also scored for Wingham. More assists for Wingham came via Matt McCracken, Jordan Skerrett, and Jeremy Ross, who contributed one each.

Walkerton's Lewis stopped 29 shots out of the 32 that he faced. For the Hawks, Perrault was ejected from the game. Ben Nelson rejected 23 shots on goal for Wingham. The Ironmen ran into serious disciplinary problems during the contest, and Jordie Schneider was ejected from the game.