Shots on goal were close in the first period with the Indians outshooting the Icecats 7-5. Both sides had opportunities to score but Guilford would score two unanswered goals to take early control of the game.
Forward Stephen Petrick took a shot from the right wing. The puck rebounded off IceCats goalie Luiz Dibble to David DeCaprio who wristed a shot in front of the left post for a 1-0 lead 1:06 into the game.
Defenseman Christian Cattaruzza gave Guilford a 2-0 lead 9:42. He broke down the left wing and sent a slap shot from the top of the circle that flew into the lower right corner for the score.
The IceCats missed wide with four close-range shots. But it forward Grant Smith who had the best chance for an IceCats goal. All alone in front of the right post with the puck, he wristed a shot that hit the post. The puck bounced off Guilford goalie Sean Finucane and dropped motionless inches in front of the crease. No Icecats player was there for the rebound and Finucane cleared the puck away.