Decatur Blaze gutted out a close 3-2 win against Michigan Ice Dogs.

Decatur Blaze gained the winning advantage on a goal by Ty Gehrken 10:22 into the third period and hung on until final buzzer.

Decatur Blaze's penalty kill excelled, as Decatur Blaze gave up zero goals despite allowing six power plays.

Decatur Blaze was led by Gehrken, who had one goal.

Decatur Blaze racked up the penalties in the contest, and ended with seven minors and two majors for 34 minutes in penalty time. Decatur Blaze had been averaging 16.0 minutes in penalties per game. Decatur Blaze stifled Michigan Ice Dogs' power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man. Decatur Blaze forced Michigan Ice Dogs goalie Christopher Boyd to work between the pipes, taking 50 shots.

Decatur Blaze also had goals scored by Duncan Irvine and Ryan Redpath, who each put in one. In addition, Decatur Blaze received assists from Dylan Farmer, who had two and Justus Kree, Luka Znidarsic, Curtis Schlereth, and Brock Oyler, who each chipped in one.

Michigan Ice Dogs kept Decatur Blaze's goalie busy throughout the game, and Matthew Hatcher made 42 saves on 44 shots.

Michigan Ice Dogs was helped by Joseph Russo, who registered one goal. Russo scored 6:42 into the third period to make the score 2-2. Todd Grzembski provided the assist. Michigan Ice Dogs also got a goal from Hunter Oatman as well. Other players who recorded assists for Michigan Ice Dogs were Kyle Cuthrell and Zachary June, who contributed one each.

Decatur Blaze registered zero goals on two power play opportunities. Michigan Ice Dogs' Boyd stopped 47 shots out of the 50 that he faced. Michigan Ice Dogs ended with 23 minutes in penalty time with four minors and one major.