The Alliston Hornets are back in the lead over the Walkerton Hawks three games to two in the quarter final race for the Jr. C Provincial Championship, after an exciting 3-2 win tonight (We., March 26) at the New Tec Rec Complex in front of a packed house.

The Western Champion Jr. C Walkerton Hawks and the Georgian Bay Mid-Ontario  Champion Jr. C Alliston Hornets met for game three of their Schmalz Cup quarter-final series in Alliston.

The two teams headed into the night's match tied at one game apiece after home and home wins last weekend. Alliston took the home opener 6-3 Saturday and Walkerton won game two 4-3 Sunday at the Walkerton Community Centre.

Zenon Byblow opened the scoring, notching the first marker on Hawks' goalie Trevor Vanwyk with 6:49 remaining in the first frame off a rebound from a shot shot taken by Thomas Faris.

The Hornets were on a powerplay, one of a few for both sides in the opening frame as the penalty box door got a workout. Thomas Faris and Robbie Rutledge were credited with the assists on the play.

Both teams sustained three, two-minute minor penalties in the first frame.

Alliston’s second goal of the game came on another powerplay as Kyle McDowell scored, assisted by Ryan Algar just 1:29 into the second period. Walkerton's Curtis Johnson was in the penalty box on a hooking call.

The Hawks finally made good on a powerplay with 5:07 left in the second period as Trevor Smith scored unassisted on Alliston netminder Jon Porretta. Smith notched the winning goal in Sunday's game in Walkerton to give his team the win and he's kept them in this game with this marker.

Curtis Johnson tied things up for the Hawks on yet another powerplay, picking up a pass from Walkerton’s top player Mike Roloefsen, from Ryan Amyot with 1:48 left in the second period.

 The second period also featured three, two-minute minors for both sides.

Byblow repeated his opening goal in the game to give the Hornets the lead with 12:29 remaining in the final frame, assisted by Kyle McDowell.

The Hawks pulled Vanwyk with two minutes left in the frame when they still had a few seconds left on a powerplay to go up six on four, but it was to no avail and almost resulted in a goal on the empty net. 

The penalties were tipped in Alliston's favour in the final frame with four two-minute minors for Alliston and just two for the Hawks.

For background on the series and Hornets race to the title, click on the related story links at right.

If you want to listen  to the game live in streaming audio on your computer click here for the AM 920 radio broadcast with CKNX's Steve Sabourin and Dave Matthews. You will require Windows Media Player software and it works best on high speed. Otherwise click your refresh button frequently for updates.

Game four of the series is back at the Walkerton Community Centre on Fri., March 28 at 8:30 p.m. Game five will be played Sun., March 30 in Alliston at 6:30 p.m. with game six slated for Wed., April 2 in Walkerton at 8:30 p.m. and game seven in Alliston at 8 p.m. on Thurs., April 3.

All games in the remainder of the series will be broadcast live on CKNX Radio AM 920 .

To check out photos of Game 3 shot by Brian Cole-Fitzpatrick, check out his blogspot by clicking here.