The Aces Hockey Academy set the tone early and never looked back, cruising to a decisive 5-1 victory over the Capital City Knights. The home side established a commanding lead in the first period, outshooting the Knights 11-3 and finding the net three times. Bo Zinter got the party started with an even-strength goal, assisted by Rylan Bigelow and Cooper Schenk. The Aces capitalized on their first power play opportunity after a hooking call against the Knights' Jack Bendall, with Bentlee Zinter netting what would stand as the game-winner, assisted by Cruz Freadrich and Keenan Fedun. Matthew Swietach capped off the dominant opening frame with a goal in the final minute, assisted by Lars Fetter, sending the Aces into the intermission with a formidable 3-0 lead.
The Knights showed some fight in the second period, with Brock Taylor breaking through to get his team on the board, assisted by Alessio Bit. However, the Aces quickly snuffed out any momentum, as Bentlee Zinter answered with his second goal of the night, an unassisted tally that restored the three-goal cushion. The period saw some chippy play, with penalties for both sides including a cross-check from Taylor and an interference call on the Aces' Cruz Freadrich. Despite the Knights generating more pressure with seven shots, they couldn't solve the Aces' defensive structure or goaltender Phoenix Daniel, who was a steadying presence throughout the contest.
The third period belonged to the Aces as they put the game firmly out of reach. Rylan Bigelow, who had an assist earlier, found the back of the net himself, with Bo Zinter returning the favor from the first period to notch a multi-point game. The final frame was marred by a series of penalties, including coincidental roughing minors to the Aces' Cruz Freadrich and the Knights' Charles Kot, but the outcome was never in doubt. The Aces' defensive effort was stellar, limiting quality chances and allowing their goalie, Phoenix Daniel, to turn aside 17 of 18 shots for a strong performance. The Knights' Maxwell Ylagan faced a barrage of 33 shots in a tough night between the pipes, as the Aces' offensive depth and early surge proved too much to overcome.
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