Alpena Flyers tried to dig itself out of a three-goal hole, but Decatur Blaze held on for a 5-4 victory.

Decatur Blaze made the score 5-2 on a goal by Shane Johnson at 12:28 in the second period, and Alpena Flyers got as close as 5-4 when Tait Froggett scored 13:41 into the third period.

Luka Znidarsic had two goals and one assist to lead Decatur Blaze. Znidarsic scored the first of his two goals at 9:44 into the first period to make the score 2-1 Decatur Blaze. John Urmetz provided the assist. Znidarsic's next tally made the score 4-2 Decatur Blaze with 7:45 left in the second period. Ryan Redpath picked up the assist.

Decatur Blaze's penalty box was a popular destination as the team totaled seven minors and one major for 29 minutes in penalty time. Decatur Blaze surpassed its season average of 18.0 penalty minutes per game. Decatur Blaze excelled on the penalty kill, not giving up a single goal in five chances. Decatur Blaze forced Alpena Flyers goalie Connor Kassuba to work between the pipes, taking 47 shots.

Decatur Blaze also got points from Johnson, who also racked up one goal and one assist and Redpath, who also grabbed one goal and two assists to lead the team in points. Curtis Schlereth also scored for Decatur Blaze. More assists for Decatur Blaze came via Garret Maged, Dylan Farmer, Richard Mischak, and Joey Fowler, who each chipped in one.

Alpena Flyers was often in penalty trouble, totaling eight minors and one major for 21 minutes in penalty time. Alpena Flyers had been averaging 19.0 minutes in penalties per game. Alpena Flyers put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Decatur Blaze to score on any of its six power plays.

Alpena Flyers additionally got points from Brandon Bihn, who also finished with one goal and one assist. Others who scored for Alpena Flyers included Jared Kwiatkowski and Brett Farley, who each put in one. Other players who recorded assists for Alpena Flyers were James Stacey, Garret Bailey, Alexander Guzman, and Reed Hamp, who contributed one each.

Decatur Blaze's Matthew Hatcher stopped 23 shots out of the 27 that he faced. Connor Kassuba made 42 saves for Alpena Flyers on 47 shots.