The Aces Hockey Academy put on a clinic in offensive pressure and special teams play, cruising to a dominant 8-2 victory over the O2 Grizzlies. The game started with a frantic first period that saw four goals, but it was the Aces who seized control and never looked back. Christopher Cirone opened the scoring for the Aces just under nine minutes in, assisted by Cash Smiley. The Grizzlies' Ben Warren answered back quickly, tying the game at 1-1 with help from William Fiander. However, the Aces' Riley Bresnahan restored the lead, and a late power-play goal from Maksis Ziedins, set up by a Grizzlies penalty, gave the visitors a 3-1 lead heading into the intermission. The Grizzlies were hampered by a parade to the penalty box, with Henry Roth taking three separate tripping minors in the opening frame.
The middle period was where the Aces truly broke the game open, outshooting the Grizzlies 15-10 and extending their lead. Benson DeBlieck capitalized on another power play early in the second, assisted by Zachary Ewasiuk. Ewasiuk then scored one of his own at even strength to make it 5-1. The Grizzlies found a brief spark on their own power play, as Ben Warren netted his second of the night from Spencer McFadden. But the Aces responded immediately, with Riley Bresnahan potting his second goal of the contest, assisted by Ziedins, to re-establish a four-goal cushion. The Grizzlies' discipline issues continued, with Warren and Roth taking more penalties that kept them on their heels.
Any hope of a Grizzlies comeback was extinguished in a third period that saw the Aces completely dominate possession, firing 17 shots to the Grizzlies' 5. Cash Smiley delivered the dagger with a spectacular shorthanded goal midway through the period, showcasing the Aces' relentless attack. Samuel Sims rounded out the scoring for the Aces in the final minutes, assisted by Nathan Ehrlich, to seal the 8-2 final. While the Grizzlies' Ben Warren provided a bright spot with a two-goal performance, his team was overwhelmed by the Aces' balanced offense and superior discipline. The Aces' ability to capitalize on power plays and their stifling defensive effort in the final forty minutes told the story of a comprehensive road victory.
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