Horton plays, falls short twice

By Justin Halbersma

The Horton Griffins played twice this past weekend as the Valley High School Hockey League resumed action after the Christmas break.

January 4, Horton hosted the NKEC Titans in Wolfville. Both the Griffins and Titans met in the Fred Kelly tournament, playing to a very entertaining 0-0 tie. This game would be decidedly different. NKEC took the latest chapter in the Horton/ NKEC rivalry by a score of 7-3.

The Titans picked up where they left off after winning the Kelly tournament, rolling over the Griffins and showing why they are a serious threat for another provincial championship this season. They came at the undermanned Horton squad in waves, perhaps taking advantage of several Horton injuries.

Kris Bigelow scored twice to pace the Titan attack. Jordan Tibbetts, Logan Phillips, Reggie Rand, Scott Spencer and Keegan Wood all added singles. Trevor Samson picked up the win in the NKEC goal.

Justin Schofield, Sean Williams and Dan Fredericks replied for Horton.

The next night, the Griffins took to the ice in Kentville to take on the Bridgetown Trojans - and the league’s top scorer, Jeremy Bent, as he, Geoff Burke and Dennis Frost have combined for 124 points in only 11 games this season. True to form, Bridgetown’s top line provided four of the five goals as it squeaked by Horton 5-4.

The game was a very entertaining affair, with neither team able to seize a true advantage. Although Bridgetown was ahead 5-3 in the last 10 minutes, Horton very nearly pulled off the comeback.

Jeremy Bent scored twice, with Geoff Burke and Dennis Frost also adding singles. Jeff McNeil finished off the scoring for the Trojans.

John Wagstaff scored twice for Horton. Erich Burton and Nick Bawn added singles.

Around the league:

In other VHSHL action, Bridgetown downed CK 4-2, Middleton fell to NKEC 5-3, and CK lost a heartbreaker to Middleton 5-4 in a shootout.

Standings

Team Points

Middleton Blues 20

NKEC Titans 20

Bridgetown Trojans 18

Avon View Avalanche 13

Horton Griffins 11

Central Kings Gators 7

West Kings Wolverines 4

Coming up this week:

Friday, NKEC visits West Kings at the Kingston arena, Avon View is at C.K. and Horton heads to Bridgetown.

Saturday, C.K. is at Horton (Kentville), NKEC plays Avon View in Windsor and Bridgetown is in Middleton.

Sunday, the all-star games are on in berwick, the girls’ at 1;30 p.m. and the guys at 3 p.m.