The team went into game four of the Georgian Bay Mid-Ontario Junior Hockey League semi-finals up three games to none. With a gritty performance, the Hornets were able to pull out a 4-3 overtime win to wrap the series up and move on to the finals.
“It wasn’t our best game, but obviously it was good to win,” said Hornets head coach Darrin Shannon. “The toughest game of the series is always the last one.”
Erin Shamrocks’ forward Tyler Hogan opened the scoring late in the first period with a powerplay goal.
The Hornets were kept off the scoreboard until 13 minutes into the second period, when team captain Robbie Rutledge netted his first of two goals. Hornets winger Thomas Faris gave the Hornets the lead four minutes later, with a powerplay goal from Kyle Montpetit and Ryan Algar.
Erin tied the game three minutes into the third period during a powerplay after Cody Murphy put the puck past Hornets goalie Troy Dowswell.
The Hornets took the lead back minutes later, after Faris netted his second goal, assisted by Mitch Ronan and Kurtis Brossard.
The Shamrocks tied the game at the 13-minute mark, after Hogan notched his second powerplay goal of the night.
The teams were scoreless for the last seven minutes of the period, sending the game to overtime.
With only 1:44 into OT, Rutledge netted his second of the game from Zenon Byblow and Kyle McDowell to take the game, and the series.
The Hornets will take on the winner of the ongoing Penetang Kings and Fergus Devils series. The Kings took an early two-game lead in the series before Fergus took game three with a 5-4 overtime win Wednesday night.
Shannon said a few players are battling through injuries, but he expects the team to be healthy for the start of the next series. He said whether they play the Kings or the Devils next, the Hornets will keep the same strategy.
“We don’t really want to change our game, we want to play the same way no matter who it is,” he said. “We just know that it is going to be a strong team.”
The Hornets have set dates for the upcoming championship series, and will be selling tickets in advance. Tickets are $8 for adults, and $6 for students and seniors. They are available in advance at the New Tecumseth Recreation Centre customer service desk.
The puck will drop at 7:30 p.m. for game one at the New Tecumseth Recreation Centre March 7. Game two will be Sun. March 9 at 7:30 p.m. in either Penetang or Fergus. Game three is Wed. March 12 in Alliston, at 7:30 p.m. Game four will be away Fri. March 14, at 8:30 p.m. Game five is at home Sun., March 16 at 6:30 p.m. Game six is away March 18, at 8:30 p.m., and game seven is back at home March 20 at 7:30 p.m.
