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Flyers sweep Rockets with last second goal
By C. Scott Holland
STRATHROY — Game four of the first-round series between the Flyers and Strathroy Rockets proved to be a great battle despite a constant parade to the penalty box for both teams.
Starting goalies Boe Piroski (Leamington) and Chazz Nixon (Strathroy) put on a clinic for two periods before either team notched a goal.
Piroski halted 19 while Nixon stopped 31. But in the end it was a Flyers goal, which came with 8.9 seconds remaining in regulation to give them the lead and allow them to sweep Strathroy 4-0.
Connor McPherson and Wyatt O’Neil of the Leamington Flyers jockey for position in front of the Strathroy net during the Thursday, April 14 game in Leamington. The Flyers took the series 4-0 and await their next opponent.
The constant penalty parade certainly hampered the two teams to generate any offence, but the Flyers did show a toughness and defensive ability to keep Strathroy from extending the series. The Flyers had eight powerplay opportunities to the Rockets’ six. The Flyers scored on one chance while the Rockets were kept off the board with the extra attackers. While on a powerplay opportunity in the third, Ryan Clark and Connor MacPherson shoveled the puck to Gavin Grundner who moved into the top of the slot and unleashed a screen shot that sailed into the Rockets’ net to open the scoring.
The Rockets replied to even the score three minutes later when Caden Faulkner lifted a rebounded over Piroski. With only seconds left on the clock and a faceoff to the left of Strathroy goalie Nixon, Ryan MacPherson got possession of a loose puck and backhanded it out to the slot where Connor MacPherson stood all alone. MacPherson ripped the puck into the top left corner to seal the victory and the series win.
The Flyers will now take on the St. Marys Lincolns. Game one is in Leamington on Thursdsay, April 21 at 7:10 pm, with game two Friday in St. Marys. Game three is back here Sunday, April 24 at 2:10 pm. Game four is in St. Marys and game five, if necessary, in Leamington on April 28. Game six is in St. Marys on April 29 and game seven is on May 1 in Leamington at 2:10 pm.
