Irish open playoffs versus the Strathroy Jets

Stratford Irish forward Stephen Pierog (27) tangles with Strathroy Jets defenceman Jake Alkins in Game Two of the Metropolitan League Quarterfinal series at the Allman Arena on Feb. 14, 2026.

On Feb. 13, the Stratford Irish began their NPHL Metropolitan League playoff campaign on the road against their familiar adversary from last year’s WOSHL Championship, the Strathroy Jets, in a best-of-seven first-round series.

Stratford initially took the lead when Christian Polillo, with help from Cole Thiessen, scored just 39 seconds before the end of the first period, making it 1-0. The score remained unchanged early in the second period until Strathroy rallied with two goals, edging ahead 2-1 as they headed into the third. The Jets quickly responded with a goal early in the third, but Nick Giunta, assisted by Thiessen, and Zach Magwood came back strong for the Irish, scoring midway through the final period.

Strathroy took a two-goal lead with 4:19 to play, but Stratford made things interesting in the closing seconds of the game as Jaden Peca from Magwood and Thiessen cut the deficit to within a goal. However, Stratford couldn’t find the late equalizer and lost the opening game of the playoffs.  Thiessen led the Irish with three points in the game one loss.

Zachery Weir made 25 saves for the Irish in the loss.

The William Allman Memorial Arena was the site of Game Two on Feb. 14.

Strathroy scored first with 6:08 remaining in the first period, but the Irish quickly responded with a powerplay goal from Stephen Pierog less than a minute later. Stratford then took the lead for the first time before the end of the period, with Thomas Hernandez, assisted by Thiessen and Ethan Tichenoff, scoring with 3:38 left in the opening frame.

The Irish added to their lead with Peca's goal less than 90 seconds into the middle frame. Strathroy responded with a goal late in the period to cut the Stratford lead to one goal.

Thiessen scored his second playoff goal, assisted by Thomas Maia and Mathieu Henderson, to increase the Irish's lead to 4-2 early in the third period. With his two-point performance in game two, Thiessen has accumulated five points in the first two playoff games, making him the team's top scorer.

Following Stratford's goal, Strathroy took back control in the final period and started their comeback. With 8:32 left, the Jets reduced the deficit to 4-3, and soon after, they tied the game on a lucky bounce in front of the Irish net with just over two minutes remaining. In overtime, the Irish encountered more misfortune in the crease, allowing the Jets to seize the opportunity and score the winning goal.

Mario Cavaliere made 30 saves in the game two loss for the Irish.

Game 3 will take place on Feb. 21 in Strathroy and Game 4 on Feb. 22 at the Allman Arena.