Erin goaltender Colin Baird frustrated the Hornets through the first period in Friday’s game, stopping shot after shot. But it was the Shamrocks offence that did the most damage, scoring four and leaving the Alliston squad with a three-goal deficit going into the first intermission.

Coming out harder in the second period, the Hornets had plenty of opportunities but couldn’t find the net. Several shots went off the goal post and one went off the crossbar.

Erin picked up a fifth goal midway through the period.

Early in the third, the Shamrocks got number six and had the game in the bag at that point.

Ryan Algar and Kyle McPherson each got a goal for Alliston in the third, but a late empty net goal sealed the game at 7-3 for the Shamrocks.

“I thought we out-played them in the first, but we had some defensive breakdowns and they capitalized on that,” said Hornet defenceman Brandon Elliott, after Friday’s game. “We had some bad bounces in the second. We talked in the dressing room after the second period and knew we had to come out strong in the third.”

After Saturday’s game in Midland, the Hornets have dropped into second place for the first time this season.

The Penetang Kings have played two more games than the Hornets and have picked up 22 wins compared to Alliston’s 21 for the season. The Hornets needed a win on Saturday to stay in the top spot after the weekend.

The Hornets won’t have a home game this coming weekend. Instead they travel to Fergus on Friday to take on the Devils.

They return to home ice on Fri., Dec. 21 for another game against Fergus. The puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.