Hornets fall to 1-3

Sacramento State dropped both games of a home-and-home series with Santa Rosa Junior College over the weekend.

The Hornets (1-3 overall, 1-3 PCHA) didn’t get their best start in game one, but managed to score first and stay ahead most of the game.

It all unraveled late in the third period, however, as the Polar Bears found a way to tie it at 6-6, then followed up with a controversial go-ahead goal that proved to be the game winner.

A shot from the point was deflected in front of the net by a high stick, which should have brought a stop to the play. The official wasn’t sure whether the puck had hit the stick or had gone off the glove of Sacramento State defenseman Vince Catalino, so he decided not to blow the play dead.

Santa Rosa added an empty net goal to win 8-6 and spoil the Hornets’ home opener.

“Aside from the first 10 minutes of the first period, and the last 7 minutes of the third, we played a great game,” said Hornets head coach Jake Panattoni.

Game two was played on Saturday night in Santa Rosa, but apparently nobody told Sacramento State. Santa Rosa scored early and often on their way to a 20-2 victory on home ice.