Maroons open playoffs on Wednesday against LaSalle

The Chatham Maroons are heading into the playoffs on a winning streak—kinda.

Although the Maroons lost a home game 9-4 Sunday night on Chatham Memorial Arena, the league website shows the Maroons won 1-0 due to a visitor forfeit. On social media, the Maroons said a statement is coming from the GOJHL on why LaSalle forfeited the game.

Either way, the game was moot, as both teams have been locked in to play in the first round of the GOJHL’s Western Conference playoffs for the past couple of weeks. Sunday’s game was a glorified exhibition game. Both teams used affiliated player call-ups. Chatham used one and LaSalle used four—including two from Windsor’s AAA under 16 team.

LaSalle will have home ice advantage in the best-of-seven playoff series as the Western Conference’s four seed. Chatham will be the five seed.

The first game of the series will take place Wednesday night in LaSalle, with game two taking place next Sunday in Chatham.

Maroons coach Richard Santos said the playoff series will come down to which team wants it more.

“At the end of day we both have solid teams,” Santos said. “It’s going to come down to want and will.”

When the Maroons play with energy, they can play with anybody in the league.

“We think when we get on forechecks, and we do our systems and do the right things, that good stuff will happen,” Santos said. “I’m one guy that believes hard work pays off and the hockey Gods will reward you if you play hard.”

LaSalle has one of the best goalies in the Western Conference, Chatham resident Tre Altiman. Santos said the Maroons have to get to Altiman.

“I think we have the ability to get to him, when our power play is clicking and we’re doing the right things, getting on our forechecks, pressuring them and attacking them. I think that’s when we’re at our best.”

In the regular season, the Maroons (27-20-2-1) had a 4-2 record against LaSalle (30-19-1-0).

First-round playoff series
Chatham Maroons versus LaSalle Vipers
Note: All games begin at 7 p.m.

Game One
Wednesday, March 6
Chatham at LaSalle

Game Two
Sunday, March 10
LaSalle at Chatham

Game Three
Wednesday, March 13
Chatham at LaSalle

Game Four
Thursday, March 14
LaSalle at Chatham

Game Five
Saturday, March 16
Chatham at LaSalle

Game Six
Sunday, March 17
LaSalle at Chatham

Game Seven
Tuesday March 19
Chatham at LaSalle

Games five, six and seven are if necessary