Eric Shaw had a goal and an assist as the Essex 73s beat the Mooretown Flags at home 2-1 to complete their first round series.
The 73s advance to the PJHL Stobbs Division semifinals by winning the series in five games. The 73s' next opponent and semifinal round schedule have yet to be determined.
The first period was scoreless and both teams had one failed power play chance apiece. Mooretown cracked the scoreboard first in the second period when Mike Kindrachuk scored at 16:13 into the frame. Shaw tied the game up over two and a half minutes later for a 1-1 score at second intermission.
Tyler Scott scored the lone third period goal and the game-winner.
Tyler Ryan took the win between the pipes, stopping all but one of Mooretown's 30 shots. Jake Wilkins had 27 saves for the Flags in what would be their season finale.
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Cole Butler had a hat trick as the Wheatley Omstead Sharks staved off elimination with a 9-5 win over the Amherstburg Integrity Admirals at the Libro Centre.
The Addys still maintain a 3-2 advantage over the Sharks in the best-of-seven first-round series.
Wheatley began the game with four straight unanswered goals, the latter three on the power play. Kyle Gangnon started the onslaught at 9:27 into the opening period with Delaney MacDonald scoring on the power play at 11:55. Butler and Alixe Saliba then scored their first goals of the night each before Amherstburg got on the board at 15:52 with a Mark Gangnon tally. The Sharks scored three more before the first period was even over, with second goals from Butler and Saliba, plus one from Jake Pickersgill.
With the score 7-1 Wheatley at the start of the second period, the Addys defence tightened up and the Admirals scored the period's only goal. Ryan Alexander connected at 11:02.
Butler completed his hat trick at 7:48 in the third period to give the Sharks an 8-2 lead. Luke Gangnon got that goal back less than three minutes later for Amherstburg. MacDonald scored shorthanded for the Sharks at 16:57 to end the Wheatley scoring, but Alexander scored two more for Amherstburg before the end of regulation to complete a hat trick of his own.
Matt Badour allowed five goals in net for Amherstburg before being pulled for Catalin Morin, who allowed the other five and took the loss. Erik Morneau and Daniel Tonietto worked tandem in goal for Wheatley and stopped 45 shots combined.
Game 6 is Monday night in Wheatley.
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Matt Clark had a goal and two assists as the Blenheim Blades beat the Dresden Kings at home 3-1.
The Blades now lead their best-of-seven playoff series 3-2.
There was no scoring in the first period but the Kings did have one power play opportunity in the frame. Dresden's Kyle Hachey finally broke the scoreless tie at 10:05 in the second period.
The Blades proceeded to score three unanswered goals in the third period. Keir Cumming tied it up on a power play goal at 7:34. The go-ahead goal came off Clark's stick at 11:07, and insurance was brought from the lumber of Austin Bentley just over two minutes after that.
Eric Stewardson stopped all but one of Dresden's 21 shots in goal for Blenheim. The Kings' Joel Sowinski had 29 saves out of 32 tries.
Blenheim can win the series Wednesday night when Game 6 is played in Dresden.