Rocks hit in overtime to be first to cool the Jets
ELORA – Luke Hoelscher’s goal in overtime lifted the Elora Rocks to a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over the previously unbeaten Strathroy Jets in Western Ontario Super Hockey League play Friday night at the Elora and District Community Centre.
The goal completed a natural hat trick for Luke Hoelscher who had also scored late in the second period and late in the third to tie the score for the Rocks.
Elora Rocks 4 Strathroy 3 (OT)
The Rocks were never ahead until the winning goal.
After a scoreless first period, the teams traded goals early in the second before Strathroy scored twice in 11 seconds midway through the second to shoot ahead.
Chad Herron scored the other goal for the Rocks while Michael Giacometti assisted on two of the goals. Getting one assist apiece were Andrew Whalen, Matteo Condotta, Klayton Hoelscher and Spencer Maccormack.
Adam Mason, Colin Vanrooyen and Justin Mcintyre had a goal apiece for Strathroy while assists went to Vanrooyen, Mike Rowe, Tyler Kettler and Dane Johnstone.
The game was a wide-open affair as the Rocks outshot the Jets 52-50.
A total of 46 minutes in penalties were assessed, all minors except a 10-minute misconduct to Elora’s Shaun Pickering for continuing a fight midway through the third although no fighting majors were issued. That misconduct bumped Elora’s total to 30 minutes in penalties.
The result cuts Strathroy’s lead over the Rocks atop the standings to a single point. The Jets are at 6-0-0-1 while the Rocks are at 6-1-0-0. Tillsonburg Thunder are third at 3-2-0-0 and are followed by the Stratford Fighting Irish at 2-4-0-1 and Alvinston Killer Bees at 0-8-0-0.
The Rocks have two games left on their seven-game homestand and they’ve gone 4-1-0-0 so far.
Elora is to host Tillsonburg next Friday at 8:30 p.m. and Alvinston Nov. 19 at 8:30 p.m.
- Guelph Sports Journal