In a penalty-filled opening period, Island HC seized control early with two power-play goals that set the tone for the game. Bevan Ansley opened the scoring at 14:27, converting a setup from Cayden Rainford with the man advantage. Just over two minutes later, Cody Jones doubled the lead on another power play, assisted by Grady McGee and Ben Broekhuizen. Victoria HA managed to claw one back late in the period when Blake Snook found the net off a feed from Alex Hu at even strength, narrowing the gap to 2-1 after a chaotic first twenty minutes that saw seven minor penalties called.
The middle frame saw the physicality continue, but Island HC capitalized on a crucial even-strength opportunity. Bevan Ansley struck again, netting what would prove to be the game-winning goal with just under two minutes remaining in the period, assisted by Austin Aydon. Despite being outshot 10-8 in the period, Island HC's opportunistic scoring and disciplined penalty kill after taking an early penalty allowed them to maintain their lead heading into the final intermission.
Victoria HA pushed hard in the third period, cutting the deficit to one when Greyson Finlay-Johnson scored off a Dylan Tang assist with just over seven minutes remaining. The late goal energized the home team, but despite pulling their goalie for an extra attacker in the final minutes, they couldn't find the equalizer. Island HC's defense held firm under pressure, securing a narrow 3-2 victory in a hard-fought contest defined by special teams play and timely scoring from Bevan Ansley's two-goal performance.