The Saugeen Shores Winterhawks put in a strong effort but ended up on the wrong end of a 4-3 overtime score on Saturday night in Port Elgin.

The Mapleton-Minto 81’s lead the best-of-seven series by a 3-1 margin with the next game on Saturday, March 12 in Drayton.

Kyle Roultston's blast from the point put the Winterhawks ahead two minutes into the game and they were able to hold that lead until the 15 minute mark of the first when the 81’s beat Hawks goalie Josh Sturrock with a shot that deflected in off a skate.

The 81’s scored a pair of goals in the second and looked to be walking away with the game until the Winterhawks came roaring back in the waning moments of the period.

Bryan Kazarian was able to summon some of his old magic as he controlled the puck behind the Mapleton net until he saw an opportunity and dished the puck to lineman Curtis Johnston who banged it in.

Seconds later Trent Hawke dangled his way into the 81’s zone and saucered a pass to Blake Underwood who lifted it into the net tying the game and setting the stage for an exciting finish.

There was no scoring action in the third so the two teams headed to overtime which ended when Scott Tregunna scored to give Mapleton-Minto the win.

with files from winterhawks.net.