Golden Hawks gain a share of third with two more wins

December 20, 2015 · 0 Comments

By Jake Courtepatte
The Caledon Golden Hawks just keep climbing the junior C ladder after picking up four of six possible points last weekend, moving them up to a tie for third in the nine-team GMOHL.
Both wins came against the Stayner Siskins, whose close proximity to the Hawks in league points made both contests of crucial importance.
Caledon names were spread around the scoresheet in Stayner last Thursday, with four different Hawks scoring four goals in the second period of a 4-1 win. Sam Procopio stopped 20 of the 21 shots he faced, while Daniel Cafagna, Avery Rodriguez, Randy Chen and Kevin Pleasance all found their way onto the scoresheet.
Stayner was looking for revenge in the weekly Sunday home game in Caledon, jumping on the board first just four minutes in. Ryan Mouser tied the game in the dying minutes of the first period, but Stayner capitalized on the power play a minute later to take a 2-1 lead into intermission.
The threesome of Cafagna, Nicholas McNutt and Christian Mariconda took offensive matters into their hands in the second as they have all season, combining with top defenceman James Pitsadiotis for two points apiece and a 3-2 Caledon lead.
Some back-and-forth play in the third had Caledon up by two in the final minute, with Stayner adding one more with seven seconds to go for a 5-4 victory for the Golden Hawks.
Procopio picked up the win once again, making 23 saves on 27 shots.
Their only blip in the standings came against the lowly Orillia Terriers on the road Saturday, with two of Orillia’s six wins this season served up against the Hawks.
Though Caledon led 2-0 just five minutes into the game, Orillia bounced back with three-straight goals by the start of the second to prompt the pulling of goaltender Brendan Macham, who stopped 15 of 18.
As it turned out, it may not have been the goaltending. Orillia added two more before the end of the period. Chen and Cafagna scored the only two goals of the third as Orillia took it 5-4.
In the midst of an astonishing 14-6-1 turnaround after an abysmal start to the regular season, the Hawks have slowly but surely made their way into top contention in the league. Though well behind the first-place Alliston Hornets, as is every other club, Caledon sits only two points back of the Huntsville Otters, in a tie with the Midland Flyers.
The Hawks and Flyers meet tomorrow (Friday). They then host the Schomberg Cougars at Caledon East Sunday. The Cougars are heading the other way in standings.
Caledon will be looking to take advantage of Schomberg’s 2-10-1 road record. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.
For stats, schedules and more information, visit www.jrcgoldenhawks.pointstreaksites.com