Stratford Irish soar past Strathroy Jets in a road OT win

In a game that lived up to its potential, the Stratford Irish came back to defeat their archrival, the Strathroy Jets, 5-4 in overtime on Nov. 14.

For the second straight game, the Irish got to a hot start in the opening frame. In a span of 24 seconds, the visitors took a 2-0 lead on goals from Thomas Maia. Maia has recorded four points in the last two games (two goals and two assists), while Ray Robbins has three points over the previous two games with the assist on the second Maia goal.

But the Jets took off with three unanswered goals to close off the wild first period to take the lead 3-2 after twenty minutes.

Christian Polillo tied the game for Stratford 56 seconds into the second period, but the Jets responded with the late goal before the period ended and went into the third with a 4-3 lead.

With under eight minutes to play in regulation, Cole Theissen scored the game-tying goal for the Irish on the powerplay and sent the game into overtime. With four points, Theissen has tallied seven points (two goals and five assists) in the last two games.

In the extra frame, Irish team captain Zach Magwood scored the game-winning goal to give the Irish a critical extra point to keep pace with the unbeaten Alvinston Killer Bees in the Metropolitan South Division.

With two more points, including the assist on the OT winner, Polillo has tallied five points in the last four games. Irish Goaltender Zachery Weir made 36 saves for his third win of the season.

The Irish return home to the William Allman Memorial Arena on Nov. 22 as they welcome the Six Nations Ironmen in a conference matchup.