70 Saves, No Typo: Horrocks Stands on His Head in 3-2 Loss

Bennett Horrocks did just about everything a goaltender can do Saturday night in Amherstburg. It still wasn't quite enough.

The Admirals netminder turned aside 70 of 73 shots, but the Essex 73's needed a late power-play goal to skate away with a 3-2 win.

"That was definitely the most shots I’ve ever faced in a game." Horrocks told Powerplay Sports. "It was a pretty crazy night, but I just tried to stay focused and take it one shot at a time. My teammates did a great job battling in front of me and giving me a chance see the shots coming and help me make saves."

Essex outshot Amherstburg 73-17, (23-6 in the first period and 35-3 in the third.) Horrocks stopped all 23 shots he faced in the opening frame and 34 of 35 in the third.

"It was definitely a battle, especially in the third when the shots just kept coming. I was pretty locked in and just trying to stay calm and focused. I knew the boys were counting on me, so I wanted to do everything I could to keep us in the game and give us a chance to win. Playing Essex always gives me a little extra motivation too. They traded me last year, so whenever I play against them, I definitely have a chip on my shoulder. It makes me want to compete even harder and prove myself."

Amherstburg struck first on a two-man advantage with two minutes left in the first. Alex Schneider scored his sixth of the season, with assists going to Liam Thiessen and Parker Janisse.

Brett Jones tied it for Essex on the power play in the second period, his first of the year, from Joshua Harding and Austin Guevremont. The Admirals went back in front later in the period on another power-play goal, Matteo Zuech's first, set up by Thiessen and Janisse. Essex answered with 22 seconds left in the second when Adrian Bosev scored his fifth, from John Fountaine and Guevremont.

The winner came in the third. Amherstburg's Xavier Gelinas was given a match penalty for physical harassment of officials, and Noah Mathieson scored on the ensuing power play at 8:33. It was his third of the season, with Guevremont and Harding picking up the assists. Guevremont finished with three assists.

How does he feel the day after? "I’m definitely a little tired and sore after facing 73 shots, but I feel good. At the end of the day, I just want to help the boys out and give Amherstburg a chance to win every single night. Whether that means facing 73 shots or making a few big saves in a tight game, I just want to do whatever I can to help the team."

Jacob VanCoillie made 15 saves on 17 shots for the win.

Essex improves to 5-1-0. Amherstburg falls to 2-4-0.