The Leamington Flyers tried to dig themselves out of a three-goal hole, but the Strathroy Rockets held on for a 5-4 victory.

Strathroy took a 5-2 lead during the third period, only to have Leamington storm back on a Cale Phibbs goal 17:48 into the third period to pull to one goal down.

The Flyers' power play was ineffective against the Rockets' penalty kill, which allowed zero goals while shorthanded.

Referees had their hands full with a major incident at 9:40 into the third period. Eight fighting penalties were dished out along with six game misconducts.

Both goalies were tossed from the game during the major incident in the third period.

Strathroy forced its penalty killing units to work especially hard during the game, picking up 10 minors and two majors for 40 minutes in penalty time. The total exceeded the 20.0 minutes per game the Rockets had been spending in the box. Strathroy stifled Leamington's power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man.

The Rockets were helped by Jacob Rody, who finished with one goal. Rody scored 3:29 into the third period to make the score 4-2 Strathroy. Kieran Milne assisted on the tally. Strathroy additionally got points from Sam Vokes, who also registered one goal and one assist to lead the team in points. Others who scored for Strathroy included Matt Laberge, Stuart King, and Dan Chapman, who scored one goal each. In addition, Strathroy received assists from Brett Dalton, who had two and Jack Kilgour, Kurtis Sander, Lucas Latina, Nick Boyer, and Mat Ouellet, who each chipped in one.

The Flyers racked up the penalties in the contest, and ended with 10 minors and two majors for 40 minutes in penalty time. Leamington surpassed its season average of 25.0 penalty minutes per game. The Flyers forced Rockets' goalies to work all game long, finishing with 38 shots and forcing 34 saves. Ouellet made 28 stops and Dane Gubbels made six.

Leamington was led by Eric Henderson, who grabbed one goal and one assist. Henderson scored 1:34 into the second period to make the score 2-1 Strathroy. Tyler Duarte provided the assist. Leamington also had goals scored by Blaine Bechard and Cale Allen, who each put in one. More assists for Leamington came via Kyle Perkowski, who had two and Alex Friesen and Kyle Quick, who contributed one each.

Strathroy registered one goal on six power play opportunities. Team's Dylan Newman and Ouellet were slapped with misconducts and ejected from the game. The Flyers' starting goalie, Trevor Wheaton, made 20 saves and finished with the loss before he was taken out in favor of Michael Barrett, who stopped four shots. For Leamington, Quick and Trevor Wheaton were ejected from the contest.