Rockets Tie Series With Big Win

The Strathroy Rockets could have been down and out with another loss Tuesday night. Instead, the underdog in the GOJHL’s second round of playoffs, defeated the top ranked Chatham Maroons 6-2 to tie their best-of-seven series at 2-2.

Strathroy controlled the game from start to finish. Mike Mandarelli scored to open the game, while Wes Baker put the Rockets up by two before the first period was out.

Rockets forward Nick Boyer, who is committed to play NCAA Division I hockey for Mercyhurst, scored to open the second period. Chatham would finally get on the board midway through the second, as Alex Morgan scored with assists going to Evan Mascaro and Michael Verboom. Tyler Duarte made it 4-1 for Strathroy before the second was over.

In the third, Baker and Duarte scored their second goals of the game to blow the score open to 6-1. With the clock winding down Blayne Oliver would score again for Chatham, but it was too little too late.

Despite Chatham outshooting the Rockets, it was Strathroy’s powerplay, which struck three times, that made the difference in this game.