After a scoreless first period, the Chatham Maroons were able to skate past the Strathroy Rockets with a 7-3 victory on Saturday night and solidify their playoff position.
Evan Wells scored the first goal for Chatham in the second period, with an assist from Lucas Fancy. Another two goals from Chatham in the second gave the Maroons a 3-1 lead as they went into the third.
"We knew we had to lead and play strong in the third and not let this one go," said Maroons captain Dallas Maurovic after the game.
Strathroy scored another two goals in the third, but a goal by Chatham's Brett Fisher and a hat trick by Maurovic secured the win for the Maroons.
As the Chatham Maroons near the end of the regular season, they now know they'll be pitted against LaSalle in the first round of the playoffs. Maurovic said in order to prepare, the Maroons will have to treat every game as if it were the playoffs.
"We know it's going to be a tough battle," he said.
Chatham currently sits in fifth place in the GOJHL Western Conference standings.
"Everyone seems to be getting some confidence going into the playoffs," said Maurovic. "This is a good time to start gelling and coming together -- that's what matters around playoff time."
The Chatham Maroons will have little time to rest as they return home to face the St. Thomas Stars at Memorial Arena on Sunday. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. You can hear the game on-air on Country 92.9FM / 630 AM CFCO or online by clicking here.