Max Saltzman scored 2 goals and Ben Reasons and Mark Menis each scored once as Naperville Central held off Stevenson 4-3 in the first quarterfinal game on Thursday. Neither team scored in the first half, as both defenses did not allow many scoring opportunities and both teams could not get on track in man-up situations.

In the third period, Central's Ryan Stanley drove down the left side and then assisted Saltzman on a goal from 2-meters out to give the Redhawks a 1-0 advantage. Stevenson responded on their next possession, as Sean Madden converted a shot from the right side of the pool to even the score at 1-1. Two minutes later, Saltzman drew an ejection and then passed out for an assist on Ben Reasons' goal from outside 7-meters to put Central back on top by one goal. Near the end of the period, Zach Cejna fed Mark Menis at 2-meters and the sophomore connected from the right post to make the score 3-1 heading into the final quarter.

Naperville Central's Mark Giuliani had a chance to put the Redhawks ahead by three, but Stevenson goalie Andrey Lomsky made a save on solid 5-meter shot early in the final period. Central's goalie Tyler Kelley responded with a key save of his own on a close shot by Jamie Clark and Naperville Central called a timeout with just under four minutes remaining.

After the break, Saltzman drew a penalty shot and converted to the left side to make the score 4-1 in favor of the Redhawks. The Patriots had a quick answer, as Madden assisted Denis Kuznetsov on a goal from the right post with 3:05 remaining in regulation to cut the lead to 4-2. Naperville Central had a chance to close things out late in the final quarter, but Josh Jalesky's 2-meter shot hit the post. He fought for a loose ball in front of the net, but the Patriots' defense converged to force a turnover to keep them within striking distance. The defensive stand paid off, as Greg Spigelman scored from 5-meters out immediately after a Stevenson timeout to make the score 4-3 with 1:18 left to play. Stevenson forced a turnover in the final minute, but Spigelman's last chance from outside 5-meters was denied by Kelley and the Redhawks advanced to the semifinals with a 4-3 victory.