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Hornets trailing by one after three games

March 28, 2013   ·   0 Comments

The Alliston Hornets are down a game after taking a loss on the road to the Walkerton Hawks in game three of their best of seven series on Saturday, March 23.

After taking an early lead in the first period on a pair of goals from Mark O’Donnell – both with assists from Dakota Brooks – the Hornets gave it up when the Walkerton squad responded in the second period with Jordan Turcotte notching two, both on the powerplay, to tie it up and make it a twenty minute game in the final period.

A third powerplay goal at 15:25 into the final frame gave the Hawks a one goal lead. They capped the game with an empty netter when the Hornets put six attackers on the ice in an attempt to tie it up before the final buzzer sounded.

The win for Walkerton gives the Hawks a one game advantage going into game four of the series in Alliston.

The Hawks won game one of the series on Wednesday, March 20, in Walkerton when they scored at :47 seconds into an overtime period after the teams played to a 3-3 tie.

Alliston goals came from Mike Campeau who scored early in the first on a powerplay and followed up with another in the second period, and Tanner Dockerty who also notched a powerplay marker late in the first period to give the Hornets a 2–1 lead.

“I thought we were undisciplined,” said Hornets head coach Sandy McCarthy of the game one loss. “I still don’t think we move the puck enough on the powerplay.”

The Hornets tied the series on Friday night (March 22) winning game two by a score of 5-3 after a solid second period that saw the Alliston squad score four times to take a 5-1 lead.

The Hawks opened the scoring in game two early in the first period.

The response was a short-handed effort from Alliston’s David LeBlanc at the midway mark to tie it up.

“We cracked down and made some changes and got back to the basics,” said Hornets’ forward Nic Archibald of the strong Alliston second period. “They are a quick team and like to use the body, for sure,” he said the Walkerton squad.

The four second period Hornets goals came from Nic Archibald, Tanner Dockerty, and a pair from Dakota Brooks.

The Hawks scored late in the second then delivered a final goal early in the third period, but with Alliston riding on a two goal lead late in the game, it was done deal.

The fans, no doubt, are getting their monies worth in this series. When you’ve got two championship teams battling it out for a chance to advance, it’s a fast and furious 60 minutes of hockey.

“The way we play, we just play to win,” McCarthy said of going through the series and focusing on each game.

The Hornets as a squad have had some outstanding moves throughout the playoffs – a time where some players turn it up a notch and do their best work.

“The playoffs – that’s were the kids step up. That’s where you find your winners and the losers,” McCarthy said.

The series returns to Alliston on Wednesday, March 27, for game four.

Results were not available at press time.

Gave five will be back in Walkerton on Thursday, March 28.

Game six, if necessary, will be in Alliston on Saturday, March 30.

The puck drop is scheduled for 5 p.m.

By Brian Lockhart

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