The North Kawartha Knights tried to dig themselves out of a two-goal hole, but the Lakefield Chiefs held on for a 3-2 victory.

Lakefield made the score 3-1 on a goal by Eric Oosting at 9:51 in the third period, and North Kawartha got as close as 3-2 when Zack Pearson scored 19:18 into the third period.

Oosting had two goals to lead the Chiefs to victory.

Referees had their hands full with a major incident at 19:03 into the second period. Four fighting penalties were dished out along with three game misconducts.

Lakefield put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow the Knights to score on any of their seven power plays.

Jeff Hawthorne also scored for Lakefield. More assists for Lakefield came via Jayd Killingbeck, who had two and Riley Campbell, Keenan Runnalls, and Nick Hildebrand, who each chipped in one.

North Kawartha was helped by Christian Lachapelle, who had one goal. Lachapelle scored 10:49 into the second period to make the score 1-1. Pearson picked up the assist. North Kawartha also got points from Pearson, who also registered one goal and one assist.

Michael Christie made 25 saves for the Chiefs on 27 shots. Lakefield totaled 19 minutes in penalty time with seven minors and one major and went 2-for-4 on the power play. For the Chiefs, Ethan Schott was ejected from the game. The Knights' starting goalie, Jake Ireland, made nine saves and finished with the loss before he was taken out in favor of Spencer Green, who stopped 14 shots. North Kawartha ended with 23 minutes in penalty time with four minors and one major. For the Knights, Green and Braden MacDonald were ejected from the contest.