The much anticipated matchup between DeMatha and Gonzaga lived up to the billing as the Stags built a three-goal lead in the first period, only to watch that lead evaporate in just over five minutes as the Eagles tied the game with three straight goals early in the third period.

Enter Connor Eady, who was left all alone in front to score the game winner for DeMatha at 6:35 of the third period. Erick Reiniger scored a power-play goal with 57 seconds left to complete the scoring.

Jonathan Matta opening the scoring for the Stags at 4:39 of the first period on the power play. Matta’s redirection of a shot from Tyler Mercier trickled by Eagles netminder Harlan Jackson. Reiniger also picked up an assist on the play.

Mercier put the Stags up, 2-0, on another broken play at 11:33 of first period.  To change the team’s momentum, Gonzaga head coach Sammy Gerdano replaced Jackson with Peter Pirone. DeMatha however, wasn’t slowed as Gabe Franco scored at 12:01 to increase the lead to three.

After a scoreless second period, Gonzaga launched their comeback when Farrell Dinn scored just 44 seconds into the third. Less than three minutes later, Luca Docking, who had assisted on Dinn’s goal, struck on the power play to get the Eagles to within one. Dinn got the primary assist, with Colin O’Leary also notching a helper.

Only 25 seconds elapsed before Dinn fed Kurt Bruun to complete the comeback at 5:17 and set up Eady's heriocs.