Maroons in Fierce Fight For Final Playoff Spot

The Chatham Maroons are holding onto the final GOJHL Western Conference playoff spot, but now find themselves in a fierce fight with five games remaining in the season.

Saturday night, Chatham defeated the Strathroy Rockets 5-2 to stay 2-points ahead of the Lambton Shores Predators, who also won Saturday.

Sam Studnicka had two goals in the Maroons win in Strathroy, while Michael Verboom scored a goal and added two assists. Brennan Feasey and Connor Doran were the other Chatham Maroons goal scorers.

New Chatham goaltender Gianluca Palmieri picked up his second win in a Maroons jersey this season making 26-saves.

Two hours down the road in Lambton Shores, the Predators, coached by former Wallaceburg Lakers bench boss Mark Davis, who once seemed out of the playoff race, have won four straight, including a 6-2 win Saturday over LaSalle. During their four game hot streak, the Predators also picked up wins over the league’s best teams, London and Sarnia.

With Chatham sitting only 2-points ahead of Lambton Shores, the stage is set for a February 11 match up between the two teams, in what could decide the final playoff spot.