The Essex 73s were firing on all cylinders against the Mooretown Flags, and when the final buzzer sounded 73s emerged with a 4-1 win.

The win gave Essex a 2-0 lead in the best of seven series.

William Stadder had two goals and one assist to lead the 73s. Stadder scored the first of his two goals at 9:36 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Essex. Stadder's next tally made the score 3-1 Essex with 5:29 left in the second period. Eric Shaw picked up the assist.

Essex's Trevor Wheaton was a brick wall in net, as he came up with 30 saves and let only one puck past him. Despite the solid performance, Wheaton will actually see his goals against average rise, as it stood at 0.4 entering the contest.

The 73s forced Flags' netminders to work between the pipes, taking 43 shots and forcing 39 saves. Brandon Johnson made 25 stops and Nolan Hakr made 14. Essex stifled Mooretown's power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man.

Essex also had goals scored by Tyler Boughner and Michael Vieira, who each put in one. More assists for Essex came via Phil Janikowski, who had two and Adam Gaiarin and Brett Vorshuk, who each chipped in one.

The Flags put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow the 73s to score on any of their five power plays. Mooretown forced Essex goalie Wheaton to work between the pipes, taking 31 shots.

The Flags were led by Cameron Rannie, who scored the team's only goal. Rannie scored 7:07 into the second period to make the score 2-1 Essex. Jeff Brown assisted on the tally.

The 73s incurred 16 minutes in penalty time with three minors. Mooretown incurred 20 minutes in penalty time with five minors.