Ontario Hockey Association

The Wallaceburg Lakers scored three goals in the third period last night against the Mooretown Flags, to win Game 3 of their Great Lakes Junior 'C' hockey league first-round playoff series by a score of 5-1.

With the home ice win, the Lakers now have a two games to one lead over the Flags in the best-of-seven series.

Trevor Vandenberg, Jordan Franchuk, Orland Hopkins, Rob Pollock and Chris Lalonde scored for the balanced Wallaceburg attack.

Josh Teschke scored the only Mooretown goal, which tied the game up at one, just over halfway through the second period, but the Lakers scored the last four goals of the game.

The Lakers led 2-1 heading into the final period.

"We didn't match their intensity, and it showed," said Flags head coach Bruce Aberhart.

"The third period we just kind of lost our legs and when you give them the upper hand they just keep coming at you and that's the result."

Game 4 is Wednesday night in Wallaceburg.

A large crowd estimated at around 800 was on hand for the Lakers' playoff opener.

Aberhart said the goal is to try and take the crowd out of the game.

"The longer you let the other team stay in the game, the harder it is to get rid of them. And we definitely didn't get rid of them tonight."

Other than a brief lull in the second period, Laker head coach Mark Davis was happy with the way his team played.

"The last 10 minutes (of the second period) we lulled a bit, but the third period was outstanding," Davis said.

The two teams split the first two games of the playoff series, with each winning a game 5-4 in overtime.

Davis said playing in front of a large home crowd benefited his team.

"We put on a good show tonight and the fans were into it and it was a perfect night," Davis said.