The Walkerton Hawks iced Mount Forest 6-2 in Game 3 of the PJHL Pollock Division Finals.
Led by the Elder brothers, Walkerton had to fight their way back twice after Mount Forest earned a pair of one goal leads in the second period.
After a scoreless first period, the Patriots notched one first courtesy of Brendon Aitken on the powerplay just 24 seconds into the second frame. Later in the period, Walkerton forward Reid Simmons earned a penalty shot after being hauled down on a break away. But is attempt was stuffed by Mathieu Oullette. Simmons tried to go back hand to forehand and lift the puck over the left pad of the Patriots goaltender but Oullette made the save.
Midway through the second the teams exchanged goals. Lachlin Elder scored on the powerplay with a precise shortside shot from the right wing then 1:09 later, Blair Butchart scored on the powerplay to put Mount Forest ahead again. Elder scored his second of the game to tie it up when he was left alone in front of the net.
The third period started out equal but a giveaway gave Walkerton the advantage. After a battle in the Mount Forest corner a blind, back hand clearing attempt landed on the stick of a wide open Spencer Elder and he popped it in to give the Hawks a 3-2 lead. As the third progressed, Walkerton's attack led to three goals in less than 4 minutes. Chris RolfVanDenBaumen scored the insurance marker and Connor Patton added two more.
The Patriots will not have Mitch Betts for Game 4 of the series Saturday night after he was flagged for a checking from behind penalty with just under 4 minutes to play. Betts was ejected after hitting Reid Simmons. Simmons was helped to the bench by the trainer and his status in unknown.
Game 4 is Saturday night at 8:00pm in Mount Forest and you can listen to the game on CKNX starting with the pregame show at 7:55pm.
Game 5 will be Sunday at 3:20pm in Walkerton, also on CKNX.
