Heights opened the 2002-2003 schedule at home with a league game against the Western Reserve Pioneers. After falling behind 1-0 in the first, the Tigers dominated the final two periods on their way to a 3-1 win. Nate Hall scored the tying goal, knocking in a loose puck early in the second period. Jeff Houser picked up the game-winner ten minutes later with a blistering one-timer on a Heights powerplay. The game's final goal was scored by Ben Winger in the opening minute of the third period. Houser finished with one goal and two assists. Hall and Winger each tallied one goal and one assist. Sophomore Nick Schmidt got the start in goal for the Tigers, making his high school debut. Schmidt earned the win with 13 saves, which included stopping a Western Reserve breakaway on just the second shot that he faced. Heights finished the game with a 44-14 advantage in shots on goal.