Commentary, Opinion

Hornets clinch division title with huge win over Stayner

February 23, 2024   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

The Alliston Hornets have finished in the top spot in the North Carruthers Division after a win over the Stayner Siskins on Feb. 19.

The afternoon game on a holiday Monday brought out a near-capacity crowd of fans of both teams at the New Tecumseth Recreation Centre.

Going into the game, the Hornets had 68 points and first place standing. The Siskins were close behind with 64 points.

The Siskins could have tied the Hornets if they won their final two games of the regular season.

Monday’s game was a huge deal for both teams who have been battling for the top spot all season.

It was a rough game with a lot of penalties.

Stayner had 30 minutes in minors and several major penalties with players ejected.

Alliston had 22 minutes in minor penalties and several majors and misconducts.

“We wanted to come to the ice and send a message in case we play these guys in the playoffs,” said Hornets coach Jacbo Bauchman, after the game. “We wanted to show them we are going to match their physicality. We believe we are a much deeper team and we showed them in the first period. They stuck with us for the first half of the game, then they ran out of steam. Our boys were in playoff mode. That was one of the best games I’ve seen all season.”

The Hornets are now third overall in the province with 70 points.

Only the Hanover Barons, with 72 points, and the Essex 73’s with 71 points are ahead of them.

“We’ve won 15 games in a row now,” Jacob said. “We haven’t lost since the trade deadline. We’re firing on all cylinders. We try not to look into the future too much, but we’ve been looking at this game for weeks. Our goal tonight was to send a message, and I think we did that.”

Alliston’s Jaeden French started the scoring in Monday’s game, hitting the back of the Siskin’s net just 1:28 into the game.

Stayner tied it up at the 5:15 mark in the period.

Alliston forward, Gavin Mikaczo, got the only goal in the second period.

In the final frame, Jaeden French got his second of the day, with Ben Smith following up to make it a 4-1 game.

Tristen Pitt scored with six seconds left on the clock to give the Hornets a 5-1 win.

The Hornets will play their final game of the regular season schedule when they will host the Schomberg Cougars on Friday, Feb. 23, with a 7:30 p.m. start.

Teams will enter the North Carruthers Division playoffs right after the regular season finishes.

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