The Exeter Hawks tried their best to erase a two-goal deficit, but the Thamesford Trojans would not be denied the victory and hung on to win, 7-6.

A goal by Matthew Smallman put Thamesford up 7-5 in the third period, but Exeter pulled to within one on Max Naus's tally 15:28 into the third period.

With the win, the Trojans evened the series at 1-1 in the best of seven showdown.

Thamesford got the win thanks to a great game by Smallman, who had one goal and three assists. Smallman scored on the power play 3:37 into the third period to make the score 7-5 Thamesford. The Trojans had gotten the advantage when the Hawks' Liam Melady was sent off for cross checking. Dylan Black picked up the assist.

Exeter was unable to stop Thamesford from sending pucks towards the net, and the Trojans eventually piled up 40 shots on goal. Thamesford was held back by its power play unit, which tallied two goals on 11 chances.

Thamesford additionally got points from Joey Wright, who also grabbed one goal and two assists. Others who scored for Thamesford included Liam Billings, who had two and Cole Chilvers, Stavros Mandrapilias, and Ian Burdett, who each put in one. Other players who recorded assists for Thamesford were James Toye, Derek Courtney, and Garrett Hickey, who each chipped in one.

The Hawks kept the Trojans' goalie busy throughout the game, and Tyler Gubesch made 41 saves on 47 shots. Exeter was ineffective while on the power play, as it was held to two goals off of nine man advantages.

Exeter also got points from Tyler Kettler, who also had one goal and two assists, Trevor Thornton, who also finished with one goal and one assist, and Melady, who also registered one goal and two assists to lead the team in points. Exeter also got a goal from Braeden Van Hooydonk as well. More assists for Exeter came via Matt Clarke, who had two and Christopher Pfaff, Tyler Coleman, and Dylan Wilson-Foote, who contributed one each.

Thamesford incurred 28 minutes in penalty time with nine minors. James Morreau recorded 33 saves for the Hawks. Exeter incurred 38 minutes in penalty time with nine minors.