The bus ride from Clarington to Huntsville didn’t seem to have any impact on the Clarington Shamrox Thursday night as they quickly built up a 4 – 1 first period lead and went on to defeat the Huntsville Jr C Hawks 9 – 8. The victory gives the Shamrox a commanding 2 – 0 lead in the best of five playoff series.
Nate and Josh Zantingh along with Brett Handsor each scored a pair of goals as the Hawks tried to mounted their comeback in the second and third periods.
Nate Zantingh’s second goal at the nine minute mark of the third period brought the Hawks to within one goal of the Shamrox. Huntsville had two power play opportunities after that but couldn’t score.
Nate Zantingh
Nick Vangelder and Cody Purvis got the other Huntsville goals.
“Going down 4 – 1 in the first period comes back to haunt you when you lose 9 – 8,” said coach Joe O’Halloran. “You can’t take anything away from them, they are good. It was really three defensive breakdowns (that cost us the game) where our goalie Zach Hubbard made the save and we had two guys fast breaking and we didn’t know where the ball was yet. They’re still thinking offense and they run by us and put it past the goalie, who is defenseless.”
O’Halloran also said the Shamrox did a good job of defending when they ran into two penalties in the third period. Huntsville was trailing 9-8 at the time.
We have six or seven set plays and it’s hard when they attack and pressure the ball, and we need to adjust. We’re used to setting up very systematically, almost like a chess match and taking our breaks, but they force us into spots where we’re not reacting well. They’re jumping us so quickly that we’re turning the ball over.
Coach Joe O’Halloran
The Shamrox played tough defensively seeming to focus on Huntsville’s top scorers including midget Brett Handsor.
They’re good, they’re arrogant and they’re cocky and they have role players who try to play the intimidation thing.
Coach Joe O’Halloran
Captain Chris McLaughlin has not been able to score in either of the first two games.
“They’re coached well,” said O’Halloran, “and they’re undefeated for a reason. I think tonight was an eye opener for them that we can compete with them. Hopefully our guys will take that last forty minutes into the next game and bring it back for a fourth game in Huntsville.”
The third game of the series is scheduled for Saturday night in Clarington and game four, if necessary, would be back in Huntsville Sunday night at 8pm at the Jack Bionda arena.
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