The London Nationals scored three unanswered goals on their way to a 3-2 win over the Chatham Maroons Sunday at Memorial Arena.
The Nationals now lead the best-of-seven GOJHL Western Conference semifinals two games to one.
Game 3 was a quick turnaround from an 8-0 St. Patrick's Day stomping by London. Maroons head coach Ron Horvat says they worked hard not to repeat that performance Sunday.
"We just came out with a lot more energy tonight," says Horvat. "I think you saw it in the first period, we did a good job. They knew they were flat last night (Saturday) and nothing went our way. We got back to doing some bad habits that we used to do."
The game was scoreless until there was 1:27 left in the first period, when Bryce Yetman scored on the power play for the Maroons. Chatham had two unsuccessful power play chances in the opening frame.
London tied the game at 4:44 of the middle period with a goal by Carson Brookshaw. Cohen Kiteley's score one minute before the second intermission provided the Nationals with a 2-1 lead.
Jack Webb extended the London lead on the power play at 7:15 in the third period. Chatham's Dakota Bohn got that goal back later in the period to trim the Nationals' lead to 3-2. Maroons goalie Ryan Wagner was pulled for the extra attacker but Chatham was unable to force the game into overtime.
David Ovsjannikov had 42 saves out of 44 in goal for the Nationals. Wagner stopped 27 shots.
Horvat says the shots don't mean anything if they don't end up lighting the lamp.
"When you get opportunities, you need to put it in the net," says Horvat. "Some of those chances you have to take early, because in tight games like in the playoffs, if you miss those opportunities, they don't come back too often."
Game 4 is Tuesday night at Memorial Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm and all the action can be heard live on CFCO Country 92.9FM/AM 630.