Sports

Hornets leading 2-1 over Schomberg in semi-final playoff series

March 22, 2024   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

The Alliston Hornets now lead 2-1 in their North Carruthers semi-final playoff series against the Schomberg Cougars after winning game three on Saturday, March 16.

Game one of the series got underway in Alliston on Wednesday, March 13.

The Hornets were in trouble after the Cougars scored three unanswered goals in the second period to lead 3-1 going into the final 20 minutes of play.=

Alliston scored two third-period goals to tie the game, but the Cougars scored at the 16:04 mark to break the tie and take a 4-3 win to start the best-of-seven series.

The Hornets were playing well, they just couldn’t bury the puck.

“I think we had most of the puck possession in that game – we out-shot them 50-20,” said Hornets coach, Jacob Bauchman. 

“We were in complete control. They scored four goals on 12 shots in the second and third period. Schomberg plays hard, they play physical, and when we turn the puck over, it’s off the glass and out. They don’t make mistakes in their end,” he said of the Hornets’ trouble scoring.

The second game of the series also took place at the New Tecumseth Recreation Centre on Friday, March 15.

This was a low-scoring game with only one goal in the first period, from Cole Turcotte, and no scoring at all in the second frame.

Schomberg tied the game at the midway mark in the third period.

As the clock ticked down, fans settled in for what everyone thought would be overtime.

Then with 8 seconds left on the clock, Nathan Windle scored for the 2-1 Alliston win.

“Schomberg hasn’t changed the way they play in five years, so we know exactly what to expect of them – especially in the playoffs. They turn it up another level. Two years ago they made it to the League finals. Last year they took us to game seven. We know they are going to fight right from the first time to the last game. Playoffs are generally going to be low scoring. Tonight’s game was a perfect example of a great playoff game by both teams. We got lucky there to score with eight seconds left and not send the game into overtime.”

Game three had the Hornets scoring four goals over the first two periods before the Cougars could get on the scoreboard.

Alliston goals came from Cole Turcotte, Jaeden French, Cam Lamont, and Clayson Goymour.

Schomberg scored late in the period.

The scoring was even in the third period with both teams scoring twice. That gave the Hornets a 6-3 win.

Hornets’ third-period goals came from Mark Coish and Jaeden French.

In the other Carruthers Division semi-final, The Stayner Siskins are leading the Orillia Terriers 3-0. Game three of that series in Stayner went into overtime after neither team scored during the regulation three periods.

Stayner scored at the 18:48 mark in the overtime period for a 1-0 win. 

The Hornets and Cougars series will play game four in Schomberg on Thursday, March 21.

The series will return to Alliston for game five on Friday, March 22.

Game time is 7:30 p.m.

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