The Welland Jr. Canadians tried to dig themselves out of a two-goal hole, but the Pelham Panthers held on for a 5-4 victory.

Pelham made the score 5-3 on a goal by Brady Cranwell at 10:37 in the third period, and Welland got as close as 5-4 when Mitch Reid scored 18:37 into the third period.

The Panthers got the win on the strength of a great game by Riley O Connell, who had two goals and two assists. O Connell scored the first of his two goals at 17:43 into the first period to make the score 2-1 Pelham. Anthony Sorrentino provided the assist. O Connell's next tally made the score 4-3 Pelham with 3:03 left in the second period. A cross checking penalty on Konner Roskovich had put Pelham on the power play. Sorrentino picked up the assist.

Referees had their hands full with a major incident at 5:12 into the second period. Four fighting penalties were dished out along with three game misconducts.

The Panthers forced Jr. Canadians' netminders to work hard to keep the puck out of the net, taking 31 shots and forcing 26 saves. Brandon McCorriston made five stops and Chris Janzen made 21. Pelham found the back of the net more times than it usually has this season. The Panthers have scored at the pace of 2.4 goals per game during the current campaign.

Pelham additionally got points from Cranwell, who also tallied one goal and three assists and Sorrentino, who also registered one goal and two assists. Shawn Rooke also scored for Pelham. More assists for Pelham came via Thomas Young, Connor Schmalz, and Christian Lea, who each chipped in one.

The Jr. Canadians forced Pelham goalie Tynan Lauziere to work between the pipes, taking 51 shots. Welland's defense let in more goals than it usually has this year. The Jr. Canadians give up 2.3 goals per game.

Welland also got points from Matt Martin, who also racked up one goal and one assist. Others who scored for Welland included Jack Fitzgerald and Andy Paul, who scored one goal each. In addition, Welland received assists from Thomas Flack, who had two and Cole McKnight, Matt Cuglietta, and Gabe Ruggi, who contributed one each.

Tynan Lauziere made 47 saves for the Panthers on 51 shots. Pelham totaled 16 minutes in penalty time with three minors and two majors and went 1-for-2 on the power play. Team's Jacob Roy and Riley Quesnelle were slapped with misconducts and ejected from the game. Welland totaled 13 minutes in penalty time with four minors and one major and went 1-for-5 on the power play. For the Jr. Canadians, Josh Allan was ejected from the game.