The Warriors Hockey Academy opened the game with a statement, scoring just seventeen seconds into the first period. Boone Depew, wearing #71, found the back of the net off assists from Cade Brouwer and Carter Menzies, stunning the Aces Hockey Academy and setting an early, aggressive tone. The period was a physical affair, with both teams racking up penalties. The Aces' Lars Fetter (#9) and the Warriors' Kade Parker (#5) and Carter Menzies (#11) all took early minors, but the Warriors' defense, anchored by goalie Wesson Dutton (#35), held firm against a limited Aces attack, stopping all five first-period shots.
The Aces found their footing in the second period, mounting a comeback. Elijah Smitke (#15) tied the game at 1-1 midway through the frame, assisted by Heath Fisher (#10). Just over three minutes later, Rylan Bigelow (#14) gave the Aces their first lead, converting a pass from Cooper Schenk (#2). Despite being outshot 20-8 in the period, Aces goalie Cash Hauser (#74) was a wall, turning away chance after chance to preserve the 2-1 lead heading into the final frame. The Warriors' relentless pressure finally paid off in the third period. With just one minute remaining on the clock, Austin Mullen (#13) scored the dramatic equalizer, assisted by the early hero Boone Depew, to send the Warriors bench into a frenzy.
The game's final minute was chaotic, featuring a flurry of penalties after the tying goal, including a major slashing call on the Aces' Lars Fetter. The Warriors, however, had already completed their comeback, securing a hard-fought 3-2 victory. Goaltender Wesson Dutton earned the win with 18 saves on 25 shots, while the Warriors' offensive persistence, evidenced by a massive 39-25 shot advantage, ultimately proved too much for the Aces to withstand.
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