The Ducks came out strong in the first game of the season with big games from both new and returning players. Sacred Heart scored first with an aggressive penalty kill with 9:22 in the first period. Stevens responded with a goal from #24 Thomas Vella assisted by #11 Kyle Chambers with 3:07 left in the first period. The momentum carried the Ducks into a power play goal scored by freshman #27 Derek O'Leary, assisted by #2 Dylan Faulhaber and #21 Hayden Fitzpatrick. The Ducks focused on lock down defense for the majority of the second period. However, O'Leary finished off the period strong with another goal with 2:29 left in the second, also assisted by Faulhaber. As the third approached the Sacred Heart began to change the tide of the game at 18:02 with a goal bringing the score to 3-2 with the Ducks still in the lead. Sacred Heart scored another short handed goal from their aggressive penalty at 11:03. This gave Sacred Heart the momentum they needed to put another 2 goals in bringing the score to 5-3 with the Ducks falling behind quickly. Fitzpatrick scored a goal for the Ducks with 6:10 left in the game, attempting to switch up the momentum of the game. Unfortunately, Sacred Heart did not let up and scored another 4 goals to finish off the game. The game ended a 9 to 4 loss for the Ducks.