Wentworth Takes Game 3 in Another Extra-Frame Thriller

Photo courtesy of Brandon Taylor

Everybody is working for the weekend, and in the case of the Wentworth Gryphins and Stoney Creek Tigers, they seem to be working overtime for road victories as well. The Gryphins took Game 3 of the series 6-5 in overtime, marking the third straight game in the series to go to the extra frame. Wentworth also tied a single-postseason record with their fourth overtime appearance in the playoffs, matching the Brantford Blast, who accomplished the same feat in 2015. Reid Yochim was the hero for the Gryphins, bookending the game with a pair of goals, while Stoney Creek's Cole Poliziani continued his dominant postseason run with two goals of his own. Poliziani leads all postseason scorers with 16 points (5G, 11A).

Wentworth got on the board first with Yochim's opening goal just 3:42 into the contest. The lead was short-lived, however, as Kyle Essery evened the game at one for the Tigers just 45 seconds later. Nearly ten minutes passed before the Gryphins regained their lead on Michael Lomas' tally at 14:08. Alex Hutchings then notched his eighth of the postseason on the power play, extending the visitors' lead to two. Cordell James brought the game back within a goal, scoring his fifth of the playoffs with 64 seconds remaining in the period.

The second period featured a wealth of great chances for both teams, including a glaring whiff by the Tigers on a wide-open net with about five minutes remaining in the frame. Stoney Creek would tie the game at three moments later on Poliziani's first of the night, with 2:01 left in the period. Wentworth answered immediately, with Matt MacLeod finding the back of the net with just six seconds left on the clock for his fourth goal of the postseason.

Neither team would give an inch in the final period of regulation. Stoney Creek tied the game at four on Poliziani's second goal of the night, 3:23 into the third. Brett Flemming responded four minutes later to restore Wentworth's one-goal advantage at 5-4. The Gryphins continued to apply pressure, but the Tigers' Josh Pietrantonio tied the game once more with 4:04 remaining in regulation, sending it to overtime for the third consecutive game in the series.

In the extra frame, Wentworth controlled the play and were rewarded when Yochim completed his two-goal performance at 3:15, burying a shot the Tigers' netminder never saw thanks to a well-placed screen.

Matthew Camilleri earned his fifth victory of the postseason in net for the Gryphins, stopping 31 of 36 shots on the night. Daniel Svedin took the loss for Stoney Creek, allowing six goals on 33 shots.

Wentworth can capture the J. Ross Robertson Cup on home ice in Game 4, set for Thursday, April 2nd at the Harry Howell Arena with a 7:30 p.m. start. Should the Tigers force a deciding fifth game with a win in Game 4, that contest would take place Saturday, April 4th at the Stoney Creek Arena, starting at 6:30 p.m.

Upcoming Schedule
Thursday, April 2 – Game 4
Stoney Creek at Wentworth – 7:30pm

Saturday, April 4 – Game 5*
Wentworth at Stoney Creek – 6:30pm

* - If Necessary

Follow the Allan Cup Hockey League social media on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Bluesky.

For more information contact Allan Cup Hockey Commissioner Rick Richardson at 905-328-4727 or email: rickystar911@outlook.com