The Chatham Maroons are starting the 2026 playoffs on the right foot after beating the St. Thomas Stars.
The two teams faced off in Chatham on Sunday for Game 1 of the best-of-seven series, with the Maroons winning 6-4.
It was St. Thomas who came out swinging as they opened the scoring nine seconds in. They doubled their lead just four minutes later.
Ian Lachance would get the Maroons on the board just over a minute later. Getting the assists on the goal were Jaxon Priddle and Aydan Doyle.
Ewan McChesney tied the game later in the period, with the assists from Trevor Zanutto and Bo Doxtator.
The second period saw the Maroons score two more goals. The first came off the stick of Aidan Edwards, from Braeden Burke and Matthew Crawford. The second was scored by Santiago Jimenes from Crawford and Xandre Aitken.
There were four goals in the third period, two by each team.
St. Thomas got the first, cutting the lead to one.
Boris Genov restored the Maroons' two-goal lead with an unassisted marker.
St. Thomas would once again get back within a goal, but fell just short as Aitken found the back of the net from Edwards to put the game out of reach.
Samuel DiBlasi made 29 saves for the win.
Game 2 is on Tuesday, in St. Thomas. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m.
