Golden Hawks fail to gain ground over two-game weekend

January 28, 2015 · 0 Comments

By Jake Courtepatte
Looking to stay hot following an intense 6-5 overtime victory over the powerhouse Stayner Siskins last Thursday, the Junior C Caledon Golden Hawks headed into a weekend back-to-back, hoping to make a splash in the GMOHL standings.
They unfortunately would fail to salvage a point in either contest, as defensive lapses left the Caledon goaltending tandem out to dry.
Penalty trouble plagued the Hawks Saturday night in Orillia, as the Terriers made good on four power-play goals in a 6-4 victory.
Caledon goaltender Sam Procopio made a game’s worth of saves in the first period alone, stopping 28 of 31 shots on net in only the first 20 minutes.
Goal scorers for the Golden Hawks were Ryan Mouser, Steve Zeppieri, Nicholas McNutt and Ryan Wonfor with his second of the season.
James Cyfko was between the pipes the next night for the Hawks against the Alliston Hornets, and was faced with an even tougher challenge than his teammate the previous game.
However it was the Hawks who had the first good offensive opportunity of the game, when Cody Forgione sprung newcomer Damian Caringi on a breakaway with a beautiful saucer pass. Caringi’s wrist shot would hit the crossbar and shoot straight down, sitting on the goal line before being covered up by the Hornets’ goaltender.
Alliston would explode for three goals in the latter half of the first period, countered only by a nice snap shot by Ben Ardis that found the top shelf through a screen.
Forgione made his second great play of the period while killing off a Steven Klomp five-minute major, diving to stop and slap away the puck rolling into the Caledon net.
Caledon’s luck turned from bad to worse in the second, giving up the Hornets’ fourth goal of the game less than a minute in before a backchecking Alex Palumbo knocked the puck into his own net while diving to stop an Alliston scoring chance.
When all was said and done, Alliston found the back of the net eight times on a miraculous 63 shots.
The shot total is the most given up by the Golden Hawks all season.
Daniel Cafagna and McNutt also scored for the Hawks in the 8-3 loss.
Perhaps the only upsides to Caledon’s game was the defensive efforts of captain Forgione and the production of Ardis, who has earned five points through five games in the new year.
With only three games left on the regular season schedule, the Hawks will have to rely heavily on luck if they hope to secure a home-ice advantage matchup.
Meanwhile, they could fall as far as ninth place if things go sour, forcing a play-in round for the GMOHL playoffs.
Their first test of the week is in Schomberg against the Cougars, whom they are currently tied with in points.
This Sunday’s home game is against the Erin Shamrocks at 7 p.m. at Caledon East.
For stats, schedules, and more information, visit www.juniorcgoldenhawks.pointstreaksites.com