Elora Rocks dropped to trail 2-0 in quarter-final

STRATFORD – The Elora Rocks are on the brink of elimination after they were dropped 7-3 by the Stratford Fighting Irish Saturday at Stratford’s William Allman Arena in the second game of their best-of-five Western Ontario Super Hockey League quarter-final playoff series.

The defending champion Fighting Irish had taken the opening game of the series 6-5 in overtime Friday night at the Jefferson Elora Community Centre.

Saturday, Stratford outscored Elora in each period as the Fighting Irish led 2-1 at the end of the first and 5-3 after the second.

Charlie Stephens had a pair of goals for the Rocks, his second goal tying the score at 3-3 at 5:44 of the second period. Chad Herron had the other goal while Brendan Woods had two assists and Steven Dol, Zack Cameron, Andrew Brubacher and Spencer MacCormack had one apiece.

Matt Fuller scored twice for Stratford while single goals were netted by Mav Petrie, former Guelph Gryphon Ryan O’Bonsawin, Graham Brulotte, Steven DeGroot and Cooper Leitch. Cameron Stokes set up three goals to raise the former Guelph junior B player’s total to eight assists in the two games of the series. Ray Robbins and Leitch each had two assists while Justin Murray, Matt Henderson, Brulotte, Sean O’Brien and Brody Smith each had one.

The Fighting Irish outshot the Rocks 52-29, but were scoreless on three power plays. However, Stratford did score a shorthanded goal while the Rocks went 1-for-6 on their power play.

Colin Dunne had 45 saves for Elora while Darren Smith had 26 for Stratford.

Third game of the series is slated for next Saturday at 3:45 p.m. at Stratford.

• Guelph Sports Journal