Ripley tied it with 12-seconds left in the 2nd, sending the game to the third period even at 2-2.
It was white-knuckle time as chances came at both ends, looking to avoid overtime.
The Winterhawks killed a Ripley power play midway through the period.
As it seemed overtime was inevitable, Justin Donnelly sent Pither into the Ripley zone.
Pither wired a shot from the left side into the top corner at 17:30 to give the Winterhawks a 3-2 lead they would not surrender.
Ripley pulled the goalie, but the Winterhawks defensive play held them to only a couple of chances.
Fritsch made 31 saves for the win in yet another excellent performance.
The win sends the series to Game 6 at The Plex on Sunday night, March 16th, at 8:00 p.m.
