The Stratford Warriors took a commanding lead in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League Western Conference semifinal on April 3, 2026, defeating the Chatham Maroons 7-1 at the William Allman Memorial Arena.
The dominant victory tied the series at 2-2, as the teams prepared for a pivotal Game 5. A crowd of 1,186 fans watched as Stratford continued its strong postseason run, which began with a four-game sweep of the LaSalle Vipers in the opening round.
Rookie forward Quinn Kipfer led the charge for Stratford with four goals during the game. Aaron Green opened the scoring just over a minute into the first period, helping the team gain early momentum. Goaltender Noah Bender anchored the defense, turning aside 28 shots throughout the contest.
The win marks a successful shift for the Stratford franchise, which has battled back in the series against the defending Sutherland Cup champions. The two teams met previously in the 2025 semifinals, where Chatham eventually advanced and went on to win its second league title.
The Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League playoffs continue as the teams move toward a potential conclusion of the series. Stratford is looking to capture its first league championship since 2004 as they continue to compete in this semifinal matchup.
