Golden Hawks sting first-place Akkiston Hornets Sunday

October 28, 2015 · 0 Comments

By Jake Courtepatte
The Caledon Golden Hawks seem to be hitting their stride just as the first quarter of the Georgian Mid-Ontario Hockey League season comes to a close.
In a busy week that saw the team play three out of four nights, the Hawks went 2-1, including downing the most powerful squad in the GMOHL.
They began the week on the road Thursday, in Stayner to take on the Siskins. Ryan Wonfor had the Hawks’ only goal of the game heading into the third period, down 2-1 with less than eight minutes to play.
A barrage of shots in the final minutes resulted in goals from both Nicholas McNutt and team leading scorer Daniel Cafagna, with Cafagna’s game-winning goal coming with a little more than four minutes to play.
A late goal from McNutt wasn’t enough to erase four unanswered goals by the Erin Shamrocks Saturday night, who held on for a 5-4 victory. Despite the loss, McNutt was an offensive force for the Hawks, potting two goals while adding a helper.
Their biggest test of the week was undoubtedly Sunday’s weekly home game, hosting the league-leading Alliston Hornets. Heading into the contest, Alliston had won 10 of their first 11 games of the season.
Sam Procopio, who seems to have won the job as the team’s number-one goaltender, was soft in the first period in allowing three Alliston goals with two coming at even strength. From there he was solid as a rock, stopping all 30 shots he faced in the final two periods, allowing for four unanswered goals from James Pitsadiotis, Sean Nottle, McNutt and an empty-netter from Tyler Whitten.
Procopio stopped 43 of 46 shots in total in a 5-3 Hawks win.
Following a disastrous start to the season, that saw the Hawks go seven games without a win, the team has rallied back to a 4-1-1 record, averaging over five goals a game during that period.
Fortunately for the Hawks, while they try to turn their season around those near them seem to be crumbling. The Schomberg Cougars and Penetang Kings are in the midst of losing skids, the Hawks only sit one and two points back in the standings respectively. Despite remaining second-last in league standings, only four points now separate the Hawks from fourth-place.
Caledon hosts the Cougars this Sunday in their only match of the week. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.
For stats, schedules, and more information, visit www.jrcgoldenhawks.pointstreaksites.com