The Mitchell Hawks tried their best to erase a three-goal deficit, but the Walkerton Hawks would not be denied the victory and hung on to win, 4-2.

A goal by Lauchlin Elder put Walkerton up 4-1 in the third period, but Mitchell pulled to within two on Tyler Pauli's tally 8:24 into the third period.

The win gave the Hawks a 1-0 lead in the best of seven series.

Elder had a great game for Walkerton, netting two goals.

Walkerton also had goals scored by Spencer Elder and Tyler Cunningham, who each put in one. In addition, Walkerton received assists from Ryan Hamelin, who had two and Joe Shaw, Josh Deyell, Justin McCrae, Chris Gillman, Brendan Welsh, and Reid Simmons, who contributed one each.

The Hawks kept the Hawks' goalie busy throughout the game, and Nick Redman made 35 saves on 37 shots.

Mitchell additionally got points from Garrett James, who also tallied one goal and one assist to lead the team in points. Other players who recorded assists for Mitchell were Haydn Favacho, Nathan Templeman, and Jake Finlayson, who each chipped in one.

Walkerton incurred 50 minutes in penalty time with 10 minors. For the Hawks, Austin Russell was ejected from the game. Mitchell's Brock Baier stopped 26 shots out of the 30 that he faced. The Hawks incurred 42 minutes in penalty time with 11 minors.