Golden Hawks play well in losing effort against Hornets

Written By ROBERT BELARDI

The Alliston Hornets defeat the Caledon Golden Hawks 3-2 in nail-biting fashion on Sunday evening (Dec. 15). 

Prior to the game, a special moment was dedicated to Reese Meyer. The 13-year old Caledon Hawks Bantam defenceman has been battling a brain tumour since November. A jersey dedicated to Reese's father Glen, was presented before a ceremonial puck drop occurred. The Golden Hawks also presented a cheque to the Headwaters Health Care Foundation worth $2510. 

The Golden Hawks slow start rankled the boys on the bench all throughout the first period. The Hornets pressed the Hawks back into their zone for the first half of the period, then caused a lot of odd man rushes.

Hornets forward Keegan Gillis-McAnulty executed on a rebound to give the Hornets a 1-0 lead. Hawks netminder Aidan Spooner could not corral the puck after a dashing split-save. 

The second goal came from an odd-man rush. A nifty pass across the face of goal and through two defenders was sweetly finished into the open cage by Gillis-McAnulty. 

Once the second period began the Golden Hawks came on the ice with spunk. There was more structure and physicality in their hockey that eventually awarded them a goal. 

Dante Zuccaro's finish just a minute and a half in gave the Hawks life. 

The 6'5 netminder Aidan Spooner continued to make saves and it seemed as if the tide was going to turn this period. 

While the Hawks were on the power play, Hornets forward Adam Hoppe cleared the zone down the boards. The puck hit the official and came back into play near centre ice. Hoppe raced for the puck and all of a sudden, the Hornets were on a two-on-one break. Hoppe slid the puck across the crease to Caden Maher for his third point on the night. 

Into the third period the Hawks garnered the will to push onward. Hornet's forward Jordan Taylor was awarded a penalty shot that was turned aside by Spooner and momentum began to shift once again. 

On the power play Hawks forward Jake Semmens judiciously passed the puck across the crease to Alex Rasonen for his first of the season. 

Now only down by one goal, Hornets forward Jakob Power was ejected for abuse of the officials with under 10 minutes to go. The Golden Hawks could not bury a few chances at the end of the period and the Hornets held on. 

Head Coach of the Caledon Golden Hawks, Stan Kondrotas spoke highly of his goaltender. Aidan Spooner was chosen first overall last year in the OHL draft by the Kingston Frontenacs. 

Kondrotas said, “Since day one, he's gotten better and better every game. You can see the confidence is growing in him. Good reason why he is drafted first overall in the midget draft last year.” 

“He's a hell of a tender, and you know, he kept us in that game and gave us an opportunity to maybe pull out a point or two.” 

The Golden Hawks were missing a lot of players. Some are battling injuries on the ice, others are away at University and another, is overseas in China. Kondrotas has had to rely on Associated Players, which are players in minor hockey eligible to be called up to the Junior C team. 

Kondrotas says that the signing of a new player and the return of other players will give the team a boost. 

“We just acquired Wes Weir from Stayner, former Junior A player. Kid could be one of the best in the league, he's going to help our team.” 

“We're missing a lot of firepower, we're going to be a lot better,” expressed Kondrotas, confident in his group that took Alliston to the wire while being shorthanded on the bench.

The Golden Hawks take on the Stayner Siskins on Thursday, December 19th at 8:10 p.m. on the road.