Image
Heather Wright Photo
Jakob Knowles pokes the puck away in the Petrolia Squires 4-1 win over Tillsonburg in the first game of their Ontario Elite Hockey League playoff series Feb. 6.

Harris’ hat trick helps Squires win playoff opener, Thunder clap back in game two

February 13, 2026

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.

Jakob Knowles snags a high shot in the Petrolia Squires 4-1 win over the Tillsonburg Thunder Feb. 6

Share This

Image
Front Page

Clark family invests in community they believe in

July 8, 2026

Cathy Dobson/The Independent The Clark family of Petrolia has donated nearly a quarter of a million dollars to three local groups they call the driving forces of their community. Together, two Clark family funds administered by the Sarnia Community Foundation are supporting the “Reaching New Heights” capital campaign at Victoria Playhouse Petrolia (VPP), the Bluewater Health Foundation’s fund to expand

Read More

Image
Front Page

Potential all-Canadian pipeline to Sarnia “fantastic” news

July 6, 2026

Cathy Dobson/Local Journalism Initiative & Heather Wright/The Independent The security of Sarnia-Lambton’s industrial future received a big boost with Monday’s announcement that a new proposed pipeline will be routed entirely through Canada from Alberta to Sarnia’s refineries. “What it means is Canadian feedstock (will be) moving to Canadian production through Canadian transmission, solely in Canada,” said Matthew Slotwinski, CEO of

Read More

Image
Front Page

Ontario, Alberta ink pipeline deal leading to Sarnia

July 6, 2026

500k – 800k barrels of oil per day could flow from Alberta to local refineries Heather Wright/The Independent Sarnia’s refineries could soon be getting a lot more Alberta oil. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced the route for the Northern Shield pipeline from Alberta to Sarnia’s refineries. Smith says the pipeline would move an additional 500,000 barrels of

Read More

Image
Front Page

Grand Bend lifeguards make 32 saves on Canada Day

July 5, 2026

Heather Wright/The Independent A Lambton Shores politician is praising the life guard crew after saving 32 people struggling in Lake Huron on Canada Day. Glenn Bailee, who represents Grand Bend on Lambton Shores council, says the combination of incredibly hot weather, a statutory holiday in the middle of the week, all kinds of people using personal watercraft plus a major

Read More