DUNDAS -- The Whitby Dunlops are just one win away from returning to the Allan Cup championship for the third consecutive year.
Travel plans to Brantford, the host site of this year’s national championship tournament, could be made as early as tonight.
The Dunlops have positioned themselves for a series sweep in their best-of-seven playoff series with the Dundas Real McCoys after a convincing 8-5 victory last night in Dundas in Game 3.
The victory gives the Dunlops a 3-0 lead in the series, with Game 4 slated for tonight at Iroquois Park at 8 p.m.
A strong second period proved to be the difference for the Dunlops on Tuesday night as they broke open a 2-2 tie after the opening period with five straight goals to take a commanding lead. They virtually coasted home from there.
Dundas opened the scoring on the night, but Jason McAuley and Ryan Toms answered to give the Dunlops a brief lead before Dundas scored the final goal of the opening period.
Peter MacKellar started the five goal barrage for the Dunlops in the second period, with help from Justin Cardwell who had a pair and singles to Dale Junkin and Matt Armstrong for a 7-2 lead.
Dundas added two, one on the power play, before Ron Baker tallied to make it 8-4 through 40 minutes.
Dundas had the only goal of the final period.
Chad Ford started in goal for the Dunlops, but had to be replaced by Chris Hardill for a brief time in the opening period after getting hit by Mike Amodeo of Dundas. Amodeo received a five minute charging penalty on the play.
Ford returned to the net and played the second period before giving way to Hardill for the third period.