Barry Wright/The Independent

Wyoming’s TJ Harris registered his first Ontario Elite Hockey League playoff hat trick to lead the Petrolia Squires to a 4-1 win over Tillsonburg in the opening game of the best of-seven first round playoff series.

The visitors struck first in the opening period at Greenwood Feb. 6 before Harris scored the first two goals of his night to send the Squires to the dressing room with a 2-1 advantage after 20 minutes.

Curtis Helps increased Petrolia’s lead to 3-1 with a power play tally early in the second period before Harris completed his three-goal performance scoring with just 80 seconds left in regulation time.

Isaac McLean and Eric Marsh each had two assists.

Jakob Knowles stopped 28 of 29 for the win in the Petrolia crease as the Squires outshot the Thunder, 43-29.

The Thunder evened the series on Tuesday, scoring two goals in each of the second and third periods on its way to a 5-2 home ice win over the Squires.

The Squires’ loss snapped a seven-game winning streak dating back to the end of the regular season.

Zach Vaneyk and Carson Peer scored for Petrolia. Ryan Fraser assisted on both goals.

Jakob Knowles took the loss between the pipes.

Kettle Point’s Hunter Monkhouse scored for the Thunder.

The third game of the series is set for Greenwood Feb. 13 at 8:30 while the Thunder will host game four on Valentines Day at 7:30.