John Wright/The Independent

The dream run for the Petrolia Flyers came to an end on Thursday night, losing 6-2 to the Essex 73s in game four of the West Conference Final at Greenwood Recreation Centre. 

Petrolia came out strong, outshooting Essex 14-9 in the first period. Goaltender Adrian McBride stood tall for Essex, turning aside every shot sent his way in the frame. 

Gabriel Piccolo sent Essex into the dressing room on a high note, scoring with 54 seconds left in the period to give the 73s the lead.

Essex got some breathing room in the second when Santiago Jimenes and Austin Guevremont potted two goals in a 1:39 span to make it a 3-0 game. 

The Flyers wouldn’t go away quietly with their season on the line. Tobias Iantorno got Petrolia on the board with his 17th goal of the playoffs midway through the period. With just under three minutes left in the frame, Austin Harper brought them within one with an unassisted marker.

Essex squashed any hopes of a Flyers comeback in the third period, getting goals from Matthew Crawford, Gabe Barrette, and Carter Dembinski to clinch the West Conference championship. 

The loss ends a memorable playoff run for Petrolia, who knocked off the Lucan Irish, Mt. Brydges Bulldogs, and Exeter Hawks to win the first Yeck Division title in franchise history.