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Hornets down 3–0 in semi final series

April 11, 2013   ·   0 Comments

“It feels like deja vu. It feels like Campbellford all over again,” said Alliston Hornets head coach Sandy McCarthy after Saturday’s loss to the Picton Pirates in game two of their semi-final series at the New Tecumseth Recreation Centre in Allison.

Last year, in the same semi-final series the Hornets were down three games to the Campbellford Rebels, then pulled off a super recovery by winning four straight to take the series and go on to meet the Grimsby Peach Kings in the final round.

It won’t be a miracle, but it will take a lot of work for the Hornets to pull off the same comeback after losing 1–0 to Picton in game three of the series on Monday night (April 8) in Picton.

Picton now leads the series 3–0.

Saturday’s game saw the Hornets stymied by a strong Pirates defence which, in the end, allowed the Alliston squad only two goals for the game – one from defenceman Cole Parker, early in the first period, and the second from David Leblanc at :58 seconds into the second period.

McCarthy seemed un-phased by the loss on Saturday, saying he had confidence in the team for the turn-around – hence the comment about the Campbellford series. But at the same time, he also said the team’s performance had been lacking.

“We were not mentally prepare to play these games,” He said. “We (the coaches) have the answers but it’s up to the players to do it. We’ve got to buy into the system.”

The trip back to Picton on Monday night showed how hard these two teams are battling for control of the series.

Both the first and second periods were scoreless.

There were no penalties assessed in the first period and both teams took only one two-minute minor in the second frame.

It was a powerplay that cost the Hornets in the final twenty minutes when the Pirates scored the only goal of the game at 5:16 into the period.

That was it for both teams and the Picton squad left with the win placing them one game away from taking the series.

The Pirates seem to know who the sharp shooters are on the Hornets squad and didn’t waste time doing their best to keep on top of them.

“They should, I would.” McCarthy said about seeing the Pirates crowd some Hornets players when they got to close to the net. “That would be part of the game plan – to swarm our players.”

The series will return to Alliston on Wednesday night (April 10) for game four.

Results of that game will not be available at press time.

No doubt the same large contingent of fans that made the trek from Picton will be back expecting to see their team win the series.

At the same time, the Hornets fans will be looking for that big save that keeps the Hornets in the series.

The Alliston fans have been extra exuberant this year. There is the usual group of fans that take up the ‘home’ side of the stands, and a steadily growing number of younger fans who have been filling in the first several rows right down by the glass on the other side of the arena.

No trouble, no problems, just a lot of cheering and noise – just like a playoffs series should be.

Wednesday’s game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Game five of the series, if necessary, will take place in Picton on Thursday, April 11.

Game six is scheduled for Saturday, April 13, in Alliston.

Game time is 7:30 p.m.

By Brian Lockhart

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