Undaunted by a three-goal deficit, the Essex 73s battled back to claim a 6-4 victory over the Blenheim Blades.

Essex never led in the game until netting the game winner. The 73s fell behind 4-1 after a goal by Blenheim's Kirk McKillop at 14 seconds in the second period. Essex tied things up at 4-4 on a goal by Brad Carroll at 3:55 in the third period. The 73s scored the game winner at 5:24 in the third period on a goal by Carroll.

Anthony Cristofaro and Matthew Rosati provided the spark for Essex, combining for three goals and three assists. Cristofaro racked up two goals and one assist and Rosati also notched one goal and two assists.

Referees had their hands full with a major incident at 9:13 into the third period. Four fighting penalties were dished out along with three game misconducts.

The 73s racked up the penalties in the contest, and ended with eight minors and two majors for 46 minutes in penalty time. Essex had been averaging 20.0 minutes in penalties per game. The 73s stifled the Blades' power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man. Essex's offense rang up 40 shots on Blenheim's net.

Essex additionally got points from Rosati, who also registered one goal and two assists. Essex also had goals scored by William Stadder and Tyler Turner, who each put in one. In addition, Essex received assists from Adam Gaiarin, Jordan Ryan, Matthew Hebert, Dallas Pereira, and Michael Vieira, who contributed one each.

The Blades forced their penalty killing units to work especially hard during the game, picking up nine minors and two majors for 48 minutes in penalty time. Blenheim surpassed its season average of 18.0 penalty minutes per game.

The Blades were led by Nolan VandenBoorn, who had two goals. VandenBoorn scored the first of his two goals at 5:06 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Blenheim. Ben Pataki picked up the assist. VandenBoorn's next tally made the score 3-1 Blenheim with 44 seconds left in the first period. Brayden Seliga assisted on the tally. Blenheim also got a goal from Matt Clark as well. Other players who recorded assists for Blenheim were Dylan Muzzatti, who had two.

The 73s took out Colin Lauzon after he had made four saves and installed Noah Hedrick in goal, where he finished with 14 saves and the win. Essex registered one goal on nine power play opportunities. Team's Scott Bromley and Pereira were slapped with misconducts and ejected from the game. Eric Stewardson rejected 34 shots on goal for Blenheim. The Blades registered zero goals on four power play opportunities. For Blenheim, Bryan Boersma, Kellen Kaniecki, and Teddy McGeen were ejected from the contest.