MC Monarchs tried to dig itself out of a three-goal hole, but Decatur Blaze held on for a 6-4 victory.

Decatur Blaze made the score 6-3 on a goal by Brandon Adler at 11:18 in the third period, and MC Monarchs got as close as 6-4 when Anthony Wojciechowski scored 12:27 into the third period.

Luka Znidarsic had a great game for Decatur Blaze, netting two goals. Znidarsic found the back of the net 11:28 into the second period to make the score 3-2 MC Monarchs and again while 9:46 into the third to make the score 5-3 Decatur Blaze.

Decatur Blaze forced MC Monarchs' goalies to work between the pipes, finishing with 36 shots and forcing 30 saves. Marquise Almeida made nine stops and Tyler Skulley made 21. Decatur Blaze surpassed its usual scoring output this season. Decatur Blaze averages 3.5 goals per game.

Decatur Blaze additionally got points from Adler, who also registered two goals and one assist and Micah Young, who also had one goal and three assists to lead the team in points. Ty Gehrken also scored for Decatur Blaze. Other players who recorded assists for Decatur Blaze were Richard Mischak, who had two and Justus Kree, Curtis Schlereth, and Duncan Irvine, who each chipped in one.

MC Monarchs' penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on six Decatur Blaze power plays.

MC Monarchs was led by Adam Jonak, who finished with one goal and two assists. Jonak scored short handed 15:10 into the first period to make the score 3-0 MC Monarchs. MC Monarchs played down a man on Mitchell Krust's boarding. MC Monarchs also got points from Wojciechowski, who also grabbed one goal and one assist. MC Monarchs also had goals scored by Trevor Pode and Derrick Treppa, who scored one goal each. More assists for MC Monarchs came via Justin Session, Tory Shand, and Joseph Gibbs, who contributed one each.

Decatur Blaze's Matthew Hatcher stopped 19 shots out of the 23 that he faced. Decatur Blaze incurred eight minutes in penalty time with four minors. MC Monarchs totaled 21 minutes in penalty time with eight minors and one major and went 0-for-1 on the power play.