FIGHTING IRISH EVEN SENIOR SERIES WITH OT WIN IN ALVINSTO

The Stratford Fighting Irish has taken back home ice advantage with a 6-5 overtime win at Alvinston Sunday. The best-of-seven Western Ontario Super Hockey League semi final is tied at two games each. Three of the first four games have gone into extra time.

Matt Henderson won it for the visitors with a snap shot from the slot at 4:53 of the fourth period.

Stratford had a 2-1 lead after a period and increased its lead to 3-1 in the second before Brennan Feasey scored twice to send the teams to the dressing room after 40 minutes tied at 3. Feasey scored Alvinston’s first period goal. Freasey scored his fourth of the night at 5:13 of the third period and James McEwan, who also had four assists, scored 95 seconds later to give the home team a 5-3 advantage. But the Fighting Irish refused to fold scoring twice in the final seven-and-half minutes including the equalizer in the final minute of regulation time.

Stratford outshot the Bees, 43-38, including 5-1 in overtime. Zach Weir was the winning goalie. Nolan Dekoning took the loss.

Game five is Saturday night in Stratford at 7:30. Game six is Tuesday, April 2 at Alvinston. If a seventh game is necessary, Stratford will host it on April 3.