The GOJHL final between Leamington and St. Mary's has been a battle but the Flyers found a way to win the first three games of the series including Sunday night's 3-1 victory.
Ethan Lamoureux put the visiting Lincolns on the board first 16 seconds into the second period. Leamington struggled to create a-grade scoring chances but were given a chance to get back on even terms with a powerplay that carried into the third.
"We knew going into that period it was big." said Connor MacPherson who helped Leamington capitalize on the extra man at 1:19. "I was fortunate enough to put us on the board early in that third and get the guys going."
Momentum clearly shifted as Leamington carried the play outshooting St. Mary's 12-3 in the final period. The game remained tied until the 13:12 mark when William VanSumeren came out from the far corner and drove the puck towards Lincolns goalie Matteo Lalama. He pulled the puck to his forehand and snapped a shot top shelf giving the Flyers the lead. "The guy was behind me so I was like I got a lane, might as well go. I kinda blacked out. Made a move and put it in." VanSumeren said.
Trevor LaRue iced the game with an open-netter giving the Flyers a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven conference final and have a chance to win their first Western Conference title since 2015 when they travel to St. Mary's Tuesday.
"A lot of it to do with last year." said MacPherson, who was on the team a year when the Flyers lost to Chatham in the final in six games. "I think that's the reason why we have so much success is we forgot all about it and we all know our roles and we're doing what we can to win."