The Huntsville Jr C Otters split a pair of games at home on the weekend and have a share of second place in the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s North division.
On Sunday, the Otters were defeated by the Penetang Kings 5-1 after winning Friday night 3-1 against the Caledon Golden Hawks.
The Otters gave up a first period goal to Caledon but came back to tie it in the second and scored two more in the third for the win. Everette Nudd got the tying goal late in the second and the insurance goal in the third period. Jake McIntyre got the other Huntsville goal.
Huntsville goaltender Connor Christanson kept the Otters in the game when they trailed in the first half, making several key saves. “It gets me in the game,” he said “and I just know we are going to score eventually so I just gave us a chance to win.”
Coach Rocky Clarke admitted the team was outplayed in the first half of the game.
“They came to play” said coach Clarke. “They skated us into the ice in the first period and caught us flat footed. We were trying a few new things we were working on in practice. The puck was bouncing and the passes weren’t clicking but it came together in the third period.”
Meanwhile, on Sunday the Otters fell behind early and this time weren’t able to come back. losing to Penetang. It was 2-0 after the first period and 3-0 after 40 minutes. Huntsville’s only goal, scored by Curtis Ballantyne, came near the mid-way mark of the third when they trailed 4-0.
We had our chances. They capitalized on their chances and we didn’t. As the game progressed and we continued to miss our chances, the frustration factor began to show up again.Coach Rocky Clarke
The Otters are tied with the Stayner Siskins for second place. Each team has 10 points, six behind first place Alliston. The Siskins and the Otters play in Huntsville Friday, October 14.
“We will have to approach that game with a more disciplined effort and attempt to play a more structured game by doing the little things right,” said Clarke. “We are going through a bit of a goal-scoring slump right now but the guys will have to work through it. Success will only come with hard work and determination. Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
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