Elora Rocks surge late to sting Stratford

STARTFORD – The Elora Rocks struck for three goals in the final seven minutes of the third period as they downed the Stratford Fighting Irish 7-3 in Western Ontario Super Hockey League play at Allman Arena Saturday.

The three goals came in a span of two minutes and 51 seconds and allowed the Rocks to turn a one-goal lead into the final four-goal margin.

Elora Rocks 7 Stratford 3

The Rocks trailed 2-1 at the end of the first period before grabbing a 3-2 lead by the end of the second.

Andrew Whalen and Trevor Lord scored twice apiece for the Rocks while single goals were netted by Spencer Maccormack, Chad Herron and Spencer Gourlay. Herron assisted on three of the goals while Steven Dol had two assists and Jacob Black, Jeremey Goodwin, Shaun Pickering and Whalen each had one.

Ray Robbins, Maverick Petrie and former Guelph Hurricane Cameron Stokes each had a goal for Stratford. Brandon Glover had two assists and Stokes, Colin Martin, Mitchell Casey and Robbins each had one.

The teams had 30 shots apiece in the game while Stratford had the game’s lone power-play goal. The Fighting Irish went 1-for-2 on their power play while the Rocks were scoreless on their lone power play.

Anthony Marshall started in net for the Rocks, but was replaced by Colin Dunne at 18:15 of the first period after Stratford’s second goal. Marshall had eight saves and Dunne had 19. Logan Vermunt had 23 for Stratford as he played the entire game.

The win was the third in a row for the Rocks since they lost to the Fighting Irish by an identical 7-3 score at Stratford Dec. 11.

The Rocks have three games left on their regular-season schedule. They’re to host the Strathroy Jets Friday at 8:30 p.m. at the Elora and District Community Centre. They’re also to play the Tillsonburg Thunder at Tillsonburg Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m. and host Stratford Feb. 25 at 8:30 p.m.

Standings

• Guelph Sports Journal