Elora Rocks suffer first setback, lose to Tillsonburg

ELORA – The Elora Rocks saw their unbeaten start to the Western Ontario Super Hockey League season come to an end Friday night at the Elora and District Community Centre when they dropped a 7-5 decision to the Tillsonburg Thunder.

The Rocks never led in the game, but two consecutive goals in the second period gave Tillsonburg a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.

Tillsonburg 7 Elora Rocks 5

The teams were tied 1-1 at the end of the first period before Tillsonburg shot ahead 4-2 by the end of the second.

Mark Hamilton and Alex Utley each scored twice for the Rocks while Spencer Maccormack added the other goal. Utley also had two assists while Yianni Skropolis, Maccormack, Jacob Black, Michael Giacometti and Klayton Hoelscher had one apiece.

Jake Brown had a hat trick for Tillsonburg while Braden Roberts, Christhopher Nauts, Kurtis Christo and Matthew Weston netted single goals. Kaine Geldart set up three of the goals while single assists were awarded to Chris McGuffin, Todd Ratchford, Derek Slaght, Christo and Riley Monture.

Shots on goal were not reported.

Ed Davey took the loss in net for the Rocks while Jesse Raymond picked up the win for Tillsonburg.

The Rocks went 2-for-5 on their power play and held the Thunder scoreless on three power plays.

The Strathroy Jets lead the league at 4-0-0-0 while the Rocks and Thunder are both at 3-1-0-0. The Stratford Fighting Irish are at 0-3-0-1 and the Alvinston Killer Bees trail at 0-4-0-0.

Friday’s game was the second of seven consecutive home games for the Rocks. They’re to host Alvinston next Friday at 8:30 p.m. and next Saturday at 4 p.m.

• Guelph Sports Journal