It could be an historic night for the Alliston Hornets Jr. C Hockey Club tonight (Sat., May 3) as the team hits the ice with three wins in its pocket and a chance to grab the Clarence (Tubby) Schmalz Cup for the first time in club history.
The Alliston team is up three games to two in the best-of-seven series against the Essex 73's and hopes to win the provincial title in front of a hometown crowd at the New Tecumseth Recreation Complex in the 6:30 p.m. start.
The road in the final series started for the Alliston team with a 4-1 win in game one at home. Then the team traveled to Essex and proved they liked the ice there too, taking a 4-2 victory in game two. They were edged 3-2 by the 73's in game three at the Essex arena the very next day, and returned home to drop another 4-2 decision to them in game four to even the series 2-2. This past Thursday night however, the Hornets regained the upper hand by hammering the Essex squad 5-1 in 73's country to head back home tonight just one game away from the title.
You can bet Essex will come out strong with their backs against the wall and a history of "always the bridesmaid" ringing in their ears. Essex won the cup in 1975, 1977 and 1978 and then again in 2002 and 2005, but have been back to the finals in 2006 and 2007 only to be turned away by the Hornets' Georgian Bay-Mid Ontario counterparts, the Penetang Kings, both times for the title.
The Hornets downed Penetang four games to one this season for the league championship.
Tickets are on sale for tonight's game at the Rec Centre kiosk from 11:30 a.m. up until the start of the game. Capacity crowd is expected and 100 seats are being held for Essex fans.
If game seven is needed it will be played Sun., May 4 back in Essex at the Essex Memorial Arena at 7:30 p.m.
It's extremely important for fans to note that the Kevin Lord Memorial Fundraising Dance is also being held at the Rec Complex tonight starting at 6 p.m. and with hundreds of guests expected there, there are serious concerns over a shortage of parking at the facilty.
The Town of New Tecumseth has arranged for a free shuttle bus from the New Tecumseth town hall parking lot on Church Street just south of Victoria Street. Park your car at the town hall or downtown and catch the bus to the rink.
Starting at 5 p.m., the bus will leave the south side of the town hall, on Wellington Street every 15 minutes. The last shuttle will return to the town office at 9:45 p.m. At the arena, people will be dropped off and picked up at the front door.
After the game, any fans are invited to the Kevin Lord fundraiser next door. Tickets are $15. Doors open at 6 p.m., and there will be an exotic animal display by Bear Creek Wildlife Sanctuary until 8 p.m.
The licenced event will be using a wristband policy, with underage guests having to leave by 9 p.m. The Wheat Kings will be performing, and copies of the band's new CD will be available as well.
All proceeds from the dance will go to the Beeton Ball Hockey League to fund six players to compete in international competitions this year.
Kevin Lord loved ball hockey and was a veteran of the Beeton league. He had competed in several national and international competitions. He was to be the captain of the 2006 national team, but died before he could see that dream come to fruition on April 29, 2006 from brain cancer. He was 20 years old.
