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Hornets take 5-3 loss to Orillia in Friday game

February 17, 2022   ·   0 Comments

The Alliston Hornets gave up a 5-3 loss to the Orillia Terriers in Friday night’s home game at the New Tecumseth Recreation Centre.

The Hornets came out flat and paid the price when Orillia shut them out in the first period with a two-goal lead.

Hornets forward Cole Turcotte put the Alliston squad on the scoreboard when he notched a goal at 2:33 into the second frame.

Orillia pulled ahead on the third goal to lead 3-1 with one period left to go. 

Alliston’s Aiden Landers closed the gap with a goal at the 5:16 mark in the third period.

It was tie game when Ben Beausaert scored to make it a 3-3 game and fans were hoping the Hornets could win with a come-from-behind effort.

Orillia took the lead at 13:37 into the third period and got the cap with an empty netter to end the game 5-3.

Despite out-shooting the Terriers 42-28, the Hornets seemed to be having trouble through the entire game and weren’t setting up scoring opportunities.

“I think, for us, I don’t think we were mentally ready to play from the start,” said Hornets Head Coach Travis Chapman after the game. “The first goal was just simply a mental lapse, and that can happen. The second goal was a turn over and a shot from a bad angle. They (the Terriers) were committed to playing a playoff type of hockey. Our guys weren’t mentally prepared for the effort they brought tonight. I think too many of our guys thought of the last two games with these guys where we handle them pretty easily, and they forgot what it took to actually get those scores. We did not show up tonight anywhere near ready to win a playoff game.”

It was a sombre attitude in the Hornets dressing room and obviously coach Chapman was disappointed with the team’s effort during the game.

“We created some chances but ultimately I don’t think we did near enough to turn the puck over, we made stupid decisions in the offensive zone that cost us chances to score,” he said.

The Hornets remain in second place in the division standings with 34 points. They are six points behind the first place Stayner Siskins and one point ahead of the third place Schomberg Cougars.

The Hornets will be back on home ice this Friday, February 18, when they will host the Stayner Siskins.

Game time is 7:30 p.m.

By Brian Lockhart
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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