At the Chestnut Hill Complex on Valley Farm Road in Pickering, the Panthers, led by veteran forward Ian Martin with eight points with Dustin Hutton and captain Brendan Tomilson (named OJHL Defenceman of the Year on game day) on seven, had the Menace in for Game 3, and the visitors needed the win to stay alive. Aiden Hughes led all Milton point scorers with eight. 

Blueliner Ben Hofstetter and forward Jamie Barbour moved into the Milton lineup with the Panthers standing pat.

It would be the aforementioned Hughes who gave the visitors the lead as they enjoyed a man advantage and the Menace took that slim lead to the dressing room for the first break. 

Thirty four seconds after the teams returned to the ice, Ryan Holmes would double Milton's lead. It was the first goal of the playoffs, and fifth point, for the former Brampton Admiral. 

The Panthers found a fast answer to that one with Alexander Papaspyropoulos' maiden playoff goal. They would draw level on Lucas Rowe's second of the postseason. The former Kingston Frontenac potted two dozen during the regular campaign. 

Pickering really put their stamp on this contest with goals just 21 and 47 seconds into the final frame. Barrie native Ethan Lindsay potted the first one and ex-North York Ranger Myles Perry scored the Panthers' fourth, putting the Menace in a tough spot. 

Ian Martin's power play goal would add to Pickering's lead, Jake Partridge then found the net, followed by a power play goal from Lindsay. 

The Panthers produced a perfect 7-for-7 record so far in the 'second season' to become North/West Conference champions and move on to the OJHL Buckland Cup final as they prevailed 7-2. In net, Zachary Roy made 30 saves.

An excellent campaign for the Menace who upped their regular season point total to 79 from 43 in the 2019-20 campaign but not with the ending they wanted. The Panthers will now have to wait to see who will be their rivals for the OJHL Championship.