Maroons Win Comeback Thriller

The Chatham Maroons fell behind early, but were able to win a thriller, needing a shootout to complete their comeback against the Strathroy Rockets Saturday night.

Playing on the road, Chatham fell behind early in the first period on a pair of Brett Dalton, and a Wes Baker goal for the Strathroy Rockets.

After a goaltender change, bringing in 16-year-old rookie Brendan Johnston, the Maroons found new life. Fellow underager Hayden Verbeek would start the combeack, scoring in the opening period, to send them game into the intermission 3-1.

In the second period, Kyle Brothers and Trevor Richardson each scored for Chatham knotting the game at 3-3 heading to the third.

After Brothers scored his second of the game to give the Maroons their first lead, Strathroy’s Tony Belony tied the game, sending it to overtime.

With both goaltenders shutting the door in the extra frame, a shootout was needed. After four scoreless shooters for each team, Chatham rookie James McEwan scored the shootout winner for the Maroons, handing them a comeback 5-4 win on the road.

Johnston stopped 22 of 23 shots he faced in the win, out playing former OHL goalie Jack Moylan of the Rockets.

With three points in the win, Kyle Brothers continued his climb of the GOJHL scoring ladder. He now sits second in the Province with 42 points in 19 games.

Chatham will look to win back to back games when they host the Lambton Shores Predators Sunday night at Memorial Arena. Puck drop is 7pm. In their previous meetings this season, Chatham on 5-0 and 9-4, and Lambton Shores won 5-4.