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Hornets rally in third, but have to settle for a tie

October 14, 2021   ·   0 Comments

The Alliston Hornets had a stellar third period in Friday night, October 7’s game against the Schomberg Cougars, but after battling back from a three goal deficit they had to settle for a tie.

The game went in Schomberg’s favour in the first period when the Cougars scored twice in the first four minutes.

The only Alliston goal came from Christian Moore at the 6:49 mark.

A third Schomberg goal put the pressure on the Hornets to respond in the second frame.

Nathan Smilsky scored for Alliston at 57 seconds into the second period.

Three more Schomberg goals put the Hornets down 6 – 3 with one period left to go.

Cole Turcotte scored the other second period Alliston goal.

Trailing by three goals to start third period, the Hornets came on strong scoring three times to tie the game at six with half the period remaining.

Alliston goals came from Jakob Power, Mitchell Smilsky, and Duncan Grube.

The Cougars broke the tie with just over two minutes remaining on the clock.

Nathan Smilsky got his second of the game and tied the score at seven with 20 seconds left on the clock.

“I think we had the real conversation (in the dressing room) between the first and second period when we didn’t come out with any real sense of urgency,” summed up head coach Travis Chapman. “They out-shot us 20 to 9 in the first period, so I thought started there and then the second period I think we responded and we only gave up five shots – but they got three goals. The message between the second and third was ‘stick with what we are doing’ and if we keep doing this and forcing the play, good things would happen and it did. In the third period we had lots of pucks to the net, we got guys to the net, we had rebounds, all the things that are repeatable in hockey games if you’re trying to create offence.”

After ending the third period in a tie, the teams returned for a seven minute, three-on-three, overtime period. Neither team could score and the game ended in a 7-7 tie.

“We would have liked to have gotten the win, but at the same time, when you’re down three goals twice, and 2-0 early in the game, I think we’re happy we battled back,but at the same there’s lots of stuff there we can improve on,” Chapman said.

The tie leaves the Hornets with a 1-1-1 record.

The Hornets will be back on home ice this Friday, October 15, to host the Stayner Siskins.

The puck drop is slated for 7:30 p.m.

By Brian Lockhart
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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