An offensive explosion helped propel the Chatham Maroons to a 7-1 win over the St. Thomas Stars Sunday at Memorial Arena.
The Maroons now have a 3-0 strangehold in the best-of-seven first round GOJHL playoff series.
Teddy McGeen had two third period goals for the Maroons. He said it was a relief to break a recent scoring funk.
"It was nice to bounce back, I've been laying a bit of a goose egg in points for the last two games. Been low scoring and stuff, but it was nice to get a couple under my belt," said McGeen.
You can hear the call on McGeen's second goal of the night from Mike Regnier and Matt Weverink on Country 92.9FM/630AM CFCO below:
[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/mcgeen-goal-extended.mp3"][/audio]
McGeen was originally credited with a natural hat trick in the third, but his linemate Bobby Harrison was eventually named as the final goal scorer when officials determined he tipped it in.
Previous games between these two teams have been close, but McGeen said the blowout was a welcome change.
"It was nice because we've been beating them by one goal, two goals," said McGeen. "They've been keeping right in it. This game we got to pull away a little bit. It sends a statement to the league that we're not playing around here."
The Stars went to the box within the first minute of the game, and they paid the price. Ethan Sarfati scored for the Maroons on the power play for a quick 1-0 Chatham lead. Adam Keyes tied up the game for St. Thomas at 6:29 in the frame, but Chatham's Kevin Gursoy found the net 25 seconds later to give the Maroons back the lead. Alan Mackenzie added a goal later in the period for a 3-1 Maroons lead at intermission.
Chatham tacked on another goal in the second period off the stick of Nolan VandenBoorn, the only goal of the stanza. The Maroons killed off five penalties in the period while St. Thomas had two.
The third period was all Maroons with McGeen scoring the first two goals to push the game away for good, and Harrison's tip-in sealing it.
McGeen said despite the commanding series lead, the Stars are a talented opponent.
"They're not a pushover by any means. We've been battling and it's been tough to pull out these wins," said McGeen.
Chatham goes for the sweep Tuesday night in St. Thomas. Puck drop is at 7:30 and all of the action can be heard on Country 92.9FM/630AM CFCO.
