2025-26 Finals Game One Results

The Thunderbirds stormed back in dramatic fashion to take Game 1 of the Jason Drapinski Memorial Cup Final, defeating the Chargers 7–6 in a thriller powered by a clutch third-period takeover from Jeff Fleshner. The win gives the Thunderbirds an early edge in the championship series after erasing a late Chargers lead.

The Thunderbirds struck first in the opening period behind goals from Alex Ernsberger and Fleshner, but the Chargers answered with strong offensive pressure of their own. Dean Olivas got the Chargers on the board before setting up Anthony Nowak later in the frame to keep the game tight heading into the second.

Momentum swung toward the Chargers in the middle period. Nowak buried his second goal of the night off a feed from Zeljko Sreckovic, and Sreckovic later finished one from Olivas to give the Chargers their first lead of the game. With the Chargers carrying momentum into the third, it looked like they were in control after another Olivas tally extended the advantage.

Then came the comeback. Fleshner completely flipped the game in the third period, scoring three straight goals for the Thunderbirds to erase the deficit and secure the win. Each goal felt bigger than the last as the Thunderbirds rallied late and stunned the Chargers with a 7–6 victory to open the Finals.

 Jeff Fleshner (Thunderbirds) — 5 goals, including the game-winning third-period surge
 Dean Olivas (Chargers) — 2 goals, 2 assists
 Kevin Richer (Thunderbirds)