Maroons Cruise in Opening Win

After finishing the preseason undefeated, the Chatham Maroons picked up where they left off as the regular season got underway Sunday night by defeating the Strathroy Rockets 3-1.

Only 21 seconds into the first period, Blake Blondeel put the Maroons on the board, with assists going to Sean Myers and Eric Palazzolo, and the team never looked back.

After a Strathroy goal, by Wes Baker, in the second, Chatham scored twice in the third period to put the game away.

The game winning goal went to Trevor Richardson, before Palazzolo scored an insurance marker only minutes later.

Darien Ekblad was solid in net for the Maroons in his debut with the team, stopping 28 of 29 shots.

In Great Lakes Junior C action, the Blenheim Blades shutout the Wallaceburg Lakers 6-0 at their home opener.

Aidan Wiebenga scored in the first period, a goal which would be the game winner as Dylan Vanderpol picked up his first shutout of the season in a 22 save performance.

Shawn Hope, Trevor Sparks, and Zach Horvath all scored one for the Blenheim Blades, while Kurt Beecroft had two goals in the win.