The Aces Hockey Academy and the O2 Grizzlies delivered a wild, back-and-forth affair that saw the Aces emerge with a narrow 6-5 victory in a game defined by special teams and a chaotic third period. The Grizzlies came out firing, outshooting the Aces 15-8 in the opening frame. Maddox Sigalet opened the scoring for the home side, but the Aces responded quickly through Augustine Paziuk and then took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission thanks to a late goal from Lars Lund. The second period belonged to the Grizzlies' top line, as Anderson MacBeath scored two quick goals just 19 seconds apart, both set up by Sigalet and Sawyer Walsh, to give the Grizzlies a 3-2 lead heading into the final frame.
The third period, however, was a rollercoaster. Theodore Wells tied the game for the Aces early, and then Lars Lund took over, completing his hat trick with an even-strength goal and a penalty shot to put the Aces up 5-3. The game turned on a pivotal play when Braxton Madu, assisted by Wells, netted what would stand as the game-winning goal midway through the period. The Grizzlies, refusing to quit, mounted a furious comeback in the final two minutes. Kaiden Thiessen and Rhys Sinclair scored just 27 seconds apart to pull within one, but the Aces held firm in the dying seconds to secure the win.
The penalty sheet was heavily marked, with both teams taking several infractions. The Grizzlies' Tyler Ferguson was assessed a major for boarding in the second period, while the Aces' Augustine Paziuk received a major and a game misconduct for a check from behind. In a statistical anomaly, the goaltending data shows zero saves for both netminders, Ayden Medeiros for the Aces and Liam Plourde for the Grizzlies, indicating a game where offensive chances were converted at an extraordinary rate. The Aces' victory was powered by a multi-point night from Theodore Wells, who had a goal and two assists, and the clutch hat trick from Lars Lund.
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