The Panthers headed east along the 401 to face the Eastern Conference–leading Trenton Golden Hawks, and as is often the case when two evenly matched teams meet, special teams proved to be the difference. Three of the five goals scored came on the power play, with another added just ten seconds after a man advantage expired.
Pickering tied the game at one in the first period when Angelo Protopapas scored his 10th of the season. However, two untimely back-to-back penalties in the second period turned the tide, as the Golden Hawks capitalized with two power-play goals in just over two minutes.
Peter Smith brought the Panthers back within one early in the third, but that was as close as they would get, as Pickering dropped a hard-fought 3-2 decision to Trenton.
Despite the loss, the Panthers outshot the Golden Hawks 31-24. Anthony Sciere made 21 saves in goal for Pickering.
