Unlike last year's matchup where St. Catharines scored the first goal of the quarterfinal series against Stoney Creek, the Warriors broke open first in the first period, beating Falcons goaltender Steele De Fazio 3:06 into the game. Adam Montgomery scored Stoney Creek's first goal of the playoffs, with assists to Mike Kavanagh and Greg Bryl.

Stoney Creek jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a power-play goal with less than 5 minutes to play in the first period. With Dan Ziraldo off to the dressing room with a check-to-the-head 10 minute misconduct, Warriors forward Greg Bryl beat De Fazio up stairs with the man-advantage. Andrew Dovey and Kavanagh added the assists on the marker.

The Falcons finally broke through Stoney Creek's defense and kicked off the second period with a power-play goal of their own. JT MacDonald picked up a rebound and put it past Warriors netminder Patrick Sullivan 56 seconds into the second period. Stephen Ceccanese and Dylan McInnis added helpers on MacDonald's first goal of the postseason.

Ceccanese tied the game 2-2 for St. Catharines with his first goal of the playoffs after streaking into the Warriors zone and beating Sullivan on the blocker side. The goal came at the 5:36 minute mark of the second, and was helped by MacDonald and Riley Sheahan.

Adam Moroney gave the Falcons the lead for the first time Friday night when he scored his first goal of the playoffs, a power-play marker, 4:23 into the third period. Moroney's goal was assisted by MacDonald and McInnis.

The lead was short lived as the Warriors bounced back to tie the game 3-3 with an even-strength goal from Greg Bryl, his second of the night. Bryl's goal was unassisted at the 7:33 minute mark.

The Falcons took the lead once again, grabbing a 4-3 advantage with under 8 minutes to play in the third. Chris Stevenson scored his first goal of the playoffs, at even-strength, with helpers from Daultan Leveille and MacDonald. The Warriors pulled their goalie near the end of period but couldn't beat De Fazio and the Falcons, as St. Catharines won the opening series against Stoney Creek.

Attendance inside Jack Gatecliff Arena Friday night was announced at 532 fans.

The Falcons travel to Stoney Creek Saturday night for Game #2 of the quarterfinal series against the Warriors. Game time from Valley Park Arena is 7:30pm.

Game #3 of the first round series takes place back inside Jack Gatecliff Arena on Monday, March 3rd at 7:30pm.