Advocate"
Hornets Advance to Finals
Shamrocks Bow Out in Four
Everything about the Georgian Mid-Ontario Semi-final series between the Erin Shamrocks and the
Alliston Hornets pointed to a four game sweep. First place Alliston, losers of only three games on the
season, against the fourth place Shamrocks, a roster long on hope but short on experience. While
many of the pundits were proven correct, the Shamrocks did not go peacefully, taking two of the four
games to overtime against the powerful Hornets, the capper being a 4-3 overtime affair in Erin last
Wednesday.
Game three of the series was played in Alliston and went the way of the Hornets.
After opening a quick two goal lead, Mitch Christopher cut the deficit in half with assists going to
Brayden Abraham and Blake Lovell. However, the Hornets would reel off three shorthanded goals and
a powerplay marker to claim a 6-1 lead after two periods. From there, they put it on cruise control and
coasted to a five goal victory. Despite giving up six goals, Colin Baird was strong in the Erin goal facing
in the neighbourhood of fifty shots on the night.
Game four was a different story as the Shamrocks battled back from two deficits to force an overtime.
Tyler Hogan opened the scoring for Erin as he whacked home a powerplay rebound. Blake Lovell and
Cody Murphy assisted on the first period marker. The Hornets responded with two second period goals
before captain Trevor VanAlstine connected for Erin, again on the powerplay, to make it 2-2 after two
periods. Blake Lovell and Brayden Abraham assisted.
In the third, Alliston again took the lead only to have Tyler Hogan pot his second of the game, a third
powerplay marker as Frank Zuccaro and Brandon Tomines assisted. With the stellar netminding of
Colin Baird, the game was sent to overtime. Early in the extra frame, the Shamrocks had a glorious
opportunity to win it but they failed to convert a 2-0 chance. The experienced Hornets created a
turnover in the Erin zone and, after a great point blank save by Baird, the Hornets buried the rebound
and, with that, the Shamrocks. Colin Baird was outstanding on the night, keeping the Shamrocks in the
game with some great goaltending in what would prove to be his last game of junior hockey.
The Hornets now advance to the league finals and will face the winner of the Penetang-Fergus series,
currently three games to two in favour of the Kings. For the Shamrocks, it will be time to assess the
past season and build towards next year. While several players will be headed to Junior “A” next
season, there should be a solid core of returnees on which to build.
