Heights opened the league schedule with a painful loss at home to Western Reserve. The Tigers allowed two goals in the final two minutes, letting the Pioneers steal a 4-3 win. Penalties played a large role in game, as the teams were whistled 24 times, and each side scored three on the powerplay. All three for Heights came in the second period and all three were scored by Olof Nilsson. Twice, he scored on tip-ins of Brad Shoger's shots from the point. Then he snuck in a wrist shot after Jordan Shoger won a face-off in the WRA zone. Nilsson's hat trick put Heights in front 3-1 after two periods, but Western Reserve came up with three of their own in the third. Lost amid the penalties and the disappointing finish was a great performance in net by Daley Baker. He made several tremendous saves, but was not rewarded with the win.