The Essex 73s were firing on all cylinders against the Wheatley Omstead Sharks, and when the final buzzer sounded 73s emerged with a 9-1 win.

Essex got the win on the strength of a great game by Michael Vieira, who had two goals and one assist. Vieira scored the first of his two goals at 12:51 into the first period to make the score 2-0 Essex. Vieira's next tally made the score 7-1 Essex with 16:56 left in the third period. Phil Janikowski assisted on the tally.

Referees had their hands full with a major incident at 7:39 into the third period. Four fighting penalties were dished out along with three game misconducts.

The 73s' penalty box was a popular destination as the team totaled six minors and one major for 27 minutes in penalty time. Essex had been averaging 12.0 minutes in penalties per game. The 73s put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Wheatley to score on any of its three power plays. Essex kept the Omstead Sharks' goalie busy throughout the game, and Adam Leboeuf made 34 saves on 43 shots. The 73s found the back of the net more times than it usually has this season. This season, Essex averages 6.3 goals per contest.

Essex additionally got points from Janikowski, who also had one goal and one assist and Tyler Boughner, who also grabbed one goal and one assist. Essex also had goals scored by William Stadder, Max Viselli, Alexi Saliba, Luke Gecse, and Dallas Pereira, who scored one goal each. In addition, Essex received assists from Riley Meyerink, who had one and Adam Gaiarin and Kade McKibbon, who each chipped in two.

Wheatley stifled the 73s' power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man.

Brett Bowman also scored for Wheatley. Other players who recorded assists for Wheatley were Brady Hillock and Jack Leafeve, who contributed one each.

Essex's Trevor Wheaton stopped 15 shots out of the 16 that he faced. The 73s registered zero goals on four power play opportunities. Essex ran into serious disciplinary problems during the contest, and Gecse was ejected from the game. The Omstead Sharks ended with 35 minutes in penalty time with five minors and one major. For Wheatley, Bowman was ejected from the game.