Petrolia beat Tillsonburg 3-2 to move on in OEHL playoffs.

Barry Wright/The Independent

Second round playoff dates have been released for the Ontario Elite Hockey League series between the Petrolia Squires and Elora.

The Squires host the opener on Friday at Greenwood at 8:30.

Game two is at Elora on Saturday at 9 pm.

Statistically, the teams are very evenly matched with the Squires finishing second during the regular season with a record of 15-5 and the Rocks just one game behind.

Elora’s goal differential during the regular season was plus 40 compared to plus 38 for Petrolia.

The teams each won against the other on their home ice during the season.

The Squires have won 10 of its last 11 games dating back to the regular season while Elora is 7-1 over its last eight contests.

Petrolia moved into the second round with a 3-2 win over Tillsonburg last Friday night at Greenwood.

Zach Van Eyk’s goal with five-and-a-half minutes left in the third period was the difference as the Squires won the series against the Thunder, four games to one.

Van Eyk also assisted on Curtis Helps’ first period tally.

Ryan Fraser also scored for Petrolia and Josh Barraclough had two assists.

Kettle Point’s Hunter Monkhouse had a goal and a helper for the Thunder.

Jakob Knowles stopped 25 shots for the win in the Squires’ crease.

Petrolia outshot the visitors, 49-27.

The Squires led 2-0 after a period before the Thunder tied the contest with goals midway through the second and third frames setting up the late game heroics.

Elora won its first round series against Dunnville in five games.

The other divisional semi-final will feature the regular season champions from Seaforth against Tavistock.