Rocks open their playoffs with victory

ELORA – The Elora Rocks connected for the first three goals of the game as they claimed a 4-2 victory over the Stratford Fighting Irish in the opening game of their best-of-seven Western Ontario Super Hockey League’s semifinal playoff series Friday night at the Elora and District Community Centre.

The Rocks led 2-0 at the end of the first period and 3-1 by the end of the second.

Elora Rocks 4 Stratford 2

Alex Utley struck for a pair of goals for the locals while Andrew Whalen and Michael Giacometti added single goals. Shaun Pickering, Whalen and Trevor Lord each had an assist.

Mitchell Casey and Brody Smith each scored a goal for Stratford while Ray Robbins, Smith and Colin Martin each had an assist.

The Rocks outshot the Fighting Irish 33-32 and scored a shorthanded goal while both of Stratford’s goals came on power plays.

Colin Dunne picked up the win in the Elora net with 30 saves while Andrew Harriman-Duke had 29 saves for Stratford.

Both of Stratford’s goals came on its power play.

• Guelph Sports Journal