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Hornets win first game after a month-and-a-half break

February 10, 2022   ·   0 Comments

The Alliston Hornets were back on the ice after a hiatus that lasted a month and a-half due to the Provincial restrictions on indoor sports facilities.

The Hornets played their last game on December 18.

A return to the ice meant players from all teams started practising last week when restrictions were lifted and they were allowed back in the arenas.

The Hornets’ first game of the New Year pitted them against the Schomberg Cougars at the New Tecumseth Recreation Centre on Sunday, February 6.

“Our last game was December 18, and we didn’t get back on the ice until this past Monday,” said Hornets Head Coach Travis Chapman. “We were off for about seven weeks between games. We got three practises in, but it’s practise – other people aren’t showing up to hit you, they’re not putting pressure on you, they’re not trying to win. As much as you try to simulate a game in practice, it’s really hard. It was good for us to us to get an actual game to start feeling like we’re back in hockey mode.”

The Hornets opened the scoring in Sunday’s game with a first period goal from Ben Taylor.

Schomberg responded with two first period goals to take a lead. 

The Hornets shut out the Cougars in the second frame scoring three unanswered goals. Alliston goals came from Cole Turcotte, Rhys Brown, and Parker Miller to give the Hornets a 4 – 2 lead with one period left to play.

Things got dicey in the third period when Schomberg tied the game with two goals just 37 seconds apart.

The Hornets regrouped and scored 52 seconds later to again move into the lead.

The final was a 5 – 4 win for the Alliston team. 

“I think we took an unnecessary penalty and gave them that one goal, (number three on a powerplay) and we got bunch of shot blocks and they got a good bounce off of one of them to their guy. I think part of that is having not played in so long – our guys were little tired. It caught up with as that game ended.” 

The win gives the Hornets a 16-7-1 record including one overtime loss – good for 34 points and second place.

The Stayner Siskins remain in first place in the league standings with an 18-3 record and 36 points.

The Orillia Terriers are in third place with 31 points, followed by the Schomberg Cougars in fourth place with 31 points.

It’s going to be an exciting playoff situation this year. 

With the top four teams having a tight season and the fifth place Penetang Kings lurking around as a possible spoiler, every team will have to bring their best game to the playoffs.

By Brian Lockhart
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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