The Essex 73s let a big lead slip away Sunday afternoon.
The Lakeshore Canadiens scored three unanswered goals in the third period to force overtime, then scored the winner in the extra period to beat the 73s 6-5 at the Essex Centre Sports Complex. The Canadiens take a 3-1 lead in the Stobbs Division junior-C hockey finals.
Lakeshore will have an opportunity to win the division championship Tuesday night.
The 73s were in complete control of the first period, with a 4-0 lead achieved before the first intermission. Michael Vieira scored two goals while Riley Meyerink and Sylvano Valente each picked up one. Essex outshot Lakeshore 18-7 in that period alone.
The Canadiens got two straight goals in the first half of the middle period. Mejoe Gasparovic got Lakeshore on the board with a power play score, followed within a minute by a goal from Matt Smith. Essex got one of those goals back when Wyatt O'Neill scored. The 73s held a 5-2 lead after two periods.
Lakeshore began their comeback when Connor Rosaasen found the net at 2:49. Jarrett Tazzman pulled the Canadiens closer just two minutes later and Stephane Crevier scored the unassisted equalizer to put the game in extra periods.
Gasparovic was mobbed by his teammates after scoring the winner at 4:54 in overtime.
Erik Morneau picked up 28 saves in goal for Lakeshore. Tyler Ryan and Jax D'Hondt combined for 30 saves between the 73s' pipes.
Game 5 is Tuesday at the Atlas Tube Centre.
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