Flyers rally for overtime win in game three

By C. Scott Holland

The battle for the West Conference playoff title took a sharp u-turn on Monday night here. The Leamington Flyers were not at their best either at home Thursday or on Sunday in Chatham. But Monday night’s incredible comeback victory in overtime on home-ice is one for the books.

The Flyers fell behind 2-0 and still trailed 4-1 in the third period before roaring back and winning the game in overtime.

What few realized Thursday in the Flyers 3-1 victory over the Chatham Maroons in game one, was that it was a penalty-free contest — a rare feat in any league — especially in playoffs. A crowd of over 1,400 watched a back-and-forth battle that was decided late.

On Sunday the first period was much the same, but then the breakdowns and Maroons’ offense came along. The final was not what Leamington had envisioned as they fell 6-1 to the Maroons.

Prior to the contest, on-ice ceremonies were held to honour the award winner from each team as well as the West and GOJHL scoring champion.

Jeff Burridge of London took home the scoring title, while Chatham’s Cameron Welch won Best Defensive Forward and Lucas Fancy the award for Ability and Sportsmanship. Noah Szabo was a rookie All-Star member, while Fancy and Cameron Symons were on the All-Star team.

Leamington Flyers Adam Jeffery (15) and Andrew Uturo (7) push hard during the first period in Thursday’s series opener against the Chatham Maroons. The Flyers won the game 3-1.

SUN photo

For the Flyers, the team took home the regular season title. Coaches Dale Mitchell, Mark Ridout, Kade McKibbin and Matt Anthony were named coaches of the year. Ryan Polidorii and Boe Piroski had the lowest goals-against average and Connor MacPherson won the rookie scoring title plus rookie of the year award.

Leamington grabbed a precious 1-0 lead late in the first period of game one and clung to it well into the third on a goal by Adam Jeffery, from Wyatt O’Neil and Andrew Uturo.

Over the course of the next 40 minutes, Polidori and Nolan DeKoning both played well by turning aside quite a number scoring attempts.

Chatham tied the game midway through the third as Lucas Fancy and David Brown laid the groundwork for Cameron Welch’s rising shot over Polidori’s glove.

Suddenly the contest was knotted and it was then a question of which team would tab the go-ahead goal.

At 18:12, O’Neil and Ryan MacPherson slung a left to right pass finding sniper Connor MacPherson open in the slot, who unleashed a bullet that sailed high into the corner and gave the Flyers a 2-1 edge.

The Maroons then lifted DeKoning for an extra-attacker, but Colton O’Brien and O’Neil fed Gabe Piccolo who slammed a shot down the ice to seal the game.

Head coach Dale Mitchell said post-game, “ I felt we played okay. We didn’t create a whole lot and didn’t think the jam and urgency was there like last series versus St. Mary’s. We were good to limit their top guys early in the series.”

In game two on Sunday at the Chatham Memorial arena, for 20 minutes the Flyers and Chatham Maroons were deadlocked but then the Maroons burst the Flyers’ and Poldori’s balloon. Chatham won the contest 6-1.

The lone bright spot for Leamington was a beautiful goal from Connor MacPherson at 15:16 of the first. Chatham potted three in the second and never looked back. Polidori, who played 53 minutes, had his roughest outing in well over a month and was pulled after allowing the fifth goal. Boe Piroski replaced him, stopping seven of the eight shots he faced.

Monday night’s game featured the big comeback as Connor MacPherson broke the ice for the Flyers and added another later to draw the team to within one goal. Gabe Piccolo netted the second tally and Colton O’Brien knotted it at 4-4 at 9:10 of the third.

Then, just 30 seconds into overtime, Jack Cotter set up Wyatt O’Neil in the slot and O’Neil’s shot beat De- Koning for the win. Polidori got the win in the Leamington net.

Schedule:

Wed. May 11 in Chatham at 7 pm.

Thurs. May 12 in Leamington at 7:10 pm.

Sat. May 14 in Chatham at 3 pm (if necessary).

Sun. May 15 in Leamington at 7:10 pm (if necessary).