Hawks Mini Two Game Winning Streak Snapped in Shoal Lake
The Hawks travelled to Shoal Lake for matchup with the Yellowhead Chiefs. These teams just played a very spirited game in Morden last weekend and were no doubt eager to get back on the ice to continue the rivalry. The Hawks welcomed veteran defender Delaney Darby back to the lineup after missing last game with a lower body injury. Mackenna Steeves remained out of the lineup and she was joined on the sideline by the Hawks leading scorer Casey O'Brien, who is nursing an upper body injury of her own. Hannah Bannister got the start in goal on this night.
The Hawks fell behind just over three minutes into the game and took cover as the teddy bears rained down onto the ice. The Hawks evened things up later in the first. Sophia Cox created a turnover at the Yellowhead blueline and Payton Manness fired the puck in deep. A strong forecheck ensued leading to Manness creating another turn over down low. She moved the puck to Cox, who shot it on goal. Manness was first to find the rebound and slid the puck home to tie the game. The goal was somehow awarded to Cox, with assists to Manness and Claire Boyd. We won't be too hard on the refs as the game moves fast and it can be hard to tell who exactly touched the puck last, or who led the fly by past the bench. The teams headed to the break tied at one.
The second period was evenly played. The Hawks grabbed the lead early in the second when SInead Convery made a quick transition up to her D partner Darby. Darby chipped it into the path of Chase Braun. Braun fired a hard shot to the far pad and Skyla Hildebrand burried the rebound to make it 2-1 for the guests. The Chiefs tied the score on a wonderful individual effort from their underage D a few minutes later. She got the puck at our blueline, made two Hawks miss, before picking out the top corner.
The third period was all Cheifs. They outshot the Hawks 19-4 and scored two goals to win the game 4-2. Bannister was solid in net, turning aside 33 shots. Bree Pearce was chosen as player of the game for her solid effort and good work in the faceoff circle.
The Hawks will have a quick turnaround as the head to Hartney on Sunday to face the Westman Wildcats at 5pm. Westman are coming off an impressing showing against the usually tough Eastman D as they lost a 6-5 shootout to the Selects.
GO HAWKS
Hawks Win Feisty Matchup With Chiefs
The Hawks welcomed the Yellowhead Chiefs to Morden on Saturday night. Madison Froese got the start in net for the home team. Lux Sawatzky and Charlee Clark joined the team for the pregame festivities, took the ice for warm ups and stood with the starting lineup for the land acknowledgment and the national anthem. These two minor hockey players are part of the Hawks' Big Sister/Little Sister program that pairs local minor hockey players with members of the team. The big sisters on this night were Rylee Harms and Mackenna Steeves respectivley. The Hawks were missing veteran defenders Delaney Darby and Steeves for this matchup, but they called up Allie Huck to fill the void on the back end and Gianna Yaschyshyn to round out the roster.
This game saw the visitors jump out to a lead late in the first period. They made a rush during a Hawks' change and got a high quality scoring chance. Froese turned it aside, but the rebound went into the slot and the Chiefs forward fired it upstairs. It was looking like the Hawks were going to head the break down a goal, but Claire Boyd had other ideas. She stole a puck right in front of the Chiefs' net, made a great deke to the backhand and flipped it upstairs to even the score.
The second period was fairly even in terms of quality chances, but the Chiefs dominated the shots on goal for the second period in a row. They outshot the Hawks 16-9 to take a 31-16 edge through two, but neither team could break the tie in the middle frame. What did happen in the second period was lots of chippy play that went unchecked by the officials. You could feel the temperature of the game heating up, as the players were growing increasingly frustrated by the lack of calls either way.
The refs must have had a discussion during the intermission because they started the third trying to gain back control of the game. The Hawks were awarded an early powerplay for a decent slash away from the play. The Hawks took full advantage of this opportunity. Yaschyshyn was aggressive on a dump in and gained control of the puck. She moved it to Bree Pearce who moved it back and forth with Ella Victor at the point. Victor walked into the slot and her effort found its way home to give the Hawks a lead they wouldn't relinquish. After the Hawks grabbed the lead, the Chiefs had a major push back. They applied all kinds of pressure, but were unable to beat Froese. Despite being outshot 47-26 on the night, the Hawks were delighted to grab two well earned points when the final buzzer sounded.
Ella Victor was the player of the game for her outstanding defensive presence and for notching the game winning goal. These teams won't have to wait long to renew hostilities, as the Hawks travel to Shoal Lake this coming weekend for a Saturday night game with the Chiefs. They will then travel to Hartney on Sunday to face the Westman Wildcats, who are hot off a big 3-2 vicotry over the Avros.
GO HAWKS
Hawks Blank Capitals For BIG 2-0 Win
The Hawks were in Portage Sunday afternoon to take on the Central Plains Capitals. Hannah Bannister was making the start in goal for the visitors.
The Hawks shuffled the lines for this game and the coaching decision paid dividends in the opening period. Claire Boyd and Bree Pearce played together on several first period shifts and they made the most of the time spent together. Less then five minutes into the game, Delaney Darby moved the puck to Boyd in the high slot. Boyd fed it down low to Pearce who moved it behind the goalline and then found Boyd unmarked in the low slot. Boyd showed her goal scoring touch, firing a great shot upstairs, to put the Hawks into the lead. Five minutes later the duo was back at it. Leah Klassen gained control of the puck behind the Capitals' net and moved it over to Boyd. It was Boyd's turn to find an unmarked Pearce in the low slot and Pearce made no mistake to double the lead before the end of the first.
The second period saw the Capitals push back in a big way. They dominated the play for the first 10 minutes of the period, but couldn't find a way to beat Bannister. The score remained 2-0 after 40 minutes.
In the third period, the game opened up as it went along. For a while, it looked like the run and gun 80's à la Edmonton Oilers. Both teams were taking chances and the defence on both sides were leading rushes and getting caught out of position at times. Despite the fast flowing style of hockey, neither team could score in the final period and the game ended 2-0 for the guests.
Hannah Bannister was a well deserving choice as player of the game, making 20 saves for her first U18 AAA career shutout. Honourable mention to Klassen, who picked up an assist and was a disruptive menace all game long on both the penalty kill and the even strength forecheck.
The Hawks have only one game this coming weekend when they welcome the Yellowhead Chiefs to Morden for an 8pm puck drop on Saturday night.
GO HAWKS
Hawks Fall At Home To Avros
The Hawks welcomed the Winnipeg Avros to Morden on Friday night. It was the Hawks first game since the league wide week long break. Madison Froese got the start in net for the home team.
The first period was a very even one with both teams having several good scoring chances. It was the Avros who capitalized on two of their quality chances, to jump out to a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes.
The Avros widened the lead in the second when their top line dominated a shift down low in the Hawks zone and scored a nice goal to make the score 3-0 after 40 minutes.
The Hawks were finally able to get on the board early in the third while on the powerplay. After a minute of good puck movement where every Hawk player touched the puck, Rylee Harms moved it down the wall to Mia Brass. Brass fed Bree Pearce behind the goal line and Pearce moved it behind the net to Payton Manness. Manness walked out and fired a great shot past the Avros goalie from a tough angle. The Avros responded five minutes later to restore the three goal lead. Late in the third, the Hawks found a second goal. Sophia Cox created a turnover at her blue line and the puck sprang out to Sinead Convery. Convery started the rush and moved the puck to Casey O'Brien on her right. O'Brien crossed the Avros' blue line and fired a hard wrist shot over the goalie's shoulder to collect her sixth of the season. Any momentum the Hawks gained from the late goal was quickly squashed by the Avros who added two more goals in the next 30 seconds to put this one to bed.
The final score was 6-2 for the Avros with their top line accounting for five of the goals and combining for 13 points. Manness was chosen as the player of the game for the Hawks for her relentless effort and strong net front presence. The Hawks will look to right the ship on Sunday afternoon when they visit the Central Plains Capitals in Portage at 2:45pm.
Go Hawks
Hawks Storm Back In Third, Fall Short In Shootout
The Hawks were at home Wednesday night to face the Central Plains Capitals. It would be the Hawks last game before the league black out for U18 Nationals. Hannah Bannister was given the start in this game.
The opening period was a dull affair with neither team able to generate much in the way of quality chances. The Hawks enjoyed a 9-6 edge in shots, but the period ended scoreless.
The second period saw the Hawks fall behind as Central Plains scored a goal early in the period and add another with just over a minute to go. Despite outshooting the Capitals 18-14 through 40 minutes, the Hawks were behind by two goals. You had the feeling from watching the game that the Hawks would have a push, as they were certainly the team taking the initiative.
The third period was dominated by the hosts. They outshot the Capitals 14-3, but it took them a while to get back into the game. While on a powerplay, the puck moved around the outside nicely. Claire Boyd and Sophia Cox helped to set up Casey O'Brien, who walked out from behind the net and fired home the Hawks first goal of the night. Despite the Hawks' relentless push, the Capitals regained their two goal lead when a winger was left all alone in front off a defensive zone draw and made no mistake to make the score 3-1, with just under six minutes to play. Just past the five minute mark, Sinead Convery collected a clearing attempt from the Capitals in the neutral zone. Convery made a nice escape and carried the puck into the Capitals' zone. She handed the puck off to O'Brien, who fired home her second of the game from long range, to once again draw the Hawks to within a goal. The Hawks pulled their goalie and were rewarded with an equalizer in the final minute. Convery collected the puck behind her net and made a good outlet pass to Payton Manness. Manness turned the puck up ice onto the stick of Mia Brass. Brass found Cox with a head of steam through the neutral zone. Cox crossed the blue line and fired an innocent looking shot towards the net and it somehow found its way home to tie the game at three.
Overtime settled nothing, so it was off to a shootout. The Hawks sent Manness and Cox out and they were both denied. Central Plains scored on one of their first two attempts. O'Brien needed to score to extend the shootout and she did just that with a great move to the backhand. The third shooter for the Capitals walked in a fired one right upstairs to end the game. The Hawks named Convery as player of the game for a solid defensive performance, for making several great escapes and smart passes, including setting up the second goal. The Hawks will have over two weeks off before welcoming the Winnipeg Avros to Morden on Friday, November 14th at 8pm. The Hawks will be looking for a better result than their last meeting with the Avros that ended in an 8-0 defeat.
Go Hawks!
Hawks Can't Keep Up With Selects
The Hawks welcomed the Eastman Selects to Morden on Saturday afternoon. The Selects were riding a strong wave of victories after going 4-0 at the NIT and not allowing a single goal against in the process. Madison Froese got the start in net for this one.
The opening period was a good one for the Hawks as they kept the Eastman chances to a minimum and they even opened the scoring. Makayla Warnick moved the puck to her defence partner Rylee Harms who moved it down the wall to Claire Boyd. Boyd's effort on net deflected off an Eastman defender and past the Selects' goalie, to open the scoring. Sadly for the Hawks, it was all downhill from this positive start. Eastman tied it on the powerplay and then took the lead for good late in the first.
The Hawks battled hard all game, but Eastman was just too strong as they outshot the Hawks 33-3 in the final two periods and ended up winning the contest 6-1. Skyla Hildebrand was chosen as player of the game for her solid two way effort. The bright spot on this day came from the Hawks team fundraiser. The proceeds from the 50/50 sales, as well as the team bake sale, went to South Central Cancer Resource. All told, the team will be giving a cheque in the amount of $1,367 to this wonderful cause. Thank you to everyone who helped the Hawks achieve this successful donation.
The Hawks are back at it Wednesday, October 29th when they host the Central Plains Capitals for a 7:30pm puck drop in Morden.
GO Hawks!
Hawks Earn Third Straight Regular Season Win, First In Regulation
The Hawks hosted the Central Plains Capitals Friday night in Morden. Madison Froese has recovered from the lower body injury that forced her out of the previous game and was making the start in goal.
The opening period started slowly, but the Hawks got a big offensive night started just eight minutes into the game. A good forecheck by Casey O'Brien helped get the puck to Bree Pearce behind the Capitals' net. Pearce cycled the puck back to O'Brien who one touched a great pass to Sophia Cox just outside the blue paint. Cox capitalized for her second of the season, giving the Hawks the lead. CP tied the game on a great individual effort by Lins just under two minutes later. The Hawks reestablished the lead late in the first. Sinead Convery took a pass at the point and fired a shot towards the net. It went off Leah Klassen in front and then a scramble ensued. Payton Manness took a few whacks at the puck, before finally getting it past the goalie to make the score 2-1 Hawks.
The second period belonged to the hosts. They extended the lead in the very first minute of play. Cox and O'Brien did some good work in the offensive zone to set up Claire Boyd in front of the goal. Boyd's effort trickled home to double the Hawks' lead. Boyd added another, seven seconds into the Hawks' first power play of the game. The Hawks won the draw and Delaney Darby moved the puck accross to her defence partner Ella Victor. Victor let a shot go that was redirected by Cox right to Boyd, who potted her third of the season. The Capitals pulled one back at the halfway point of the period, but O'Brien finished off a beautiful team passing play to end the second. From their own zone, Pearce moved the puck up the wall to Manness. Manness went cross ice to Convery who took a few strides with the puck before hitting a streaking O'Brien in stride behind the defence at the far blueline. O'Brien went top shelf to collect her third of the season.
The third period was all Capitals, depsite the Hawks getting an early four minute power play. The Capitals outshot the Hawks 12-3 in the final period, but could only get one goal past Froese, who made several spectacular saves on the evening. The Hawks added a late empty net goal when O'Brien won the draw in her own end back to Darby. Darby fired the puck around the wall to Boyd, who chipped it off the boards into the neutral zone. Cox used her speed to win the race to the puck and slid it into the empty net to make the final score 6-3. Cox was named player of the game for opening and finishing the scoring and for her solid play on the wall all game long.
The Hawks will have a quick turnaround as the always dangerous Eastman Selects come to Morden Saturday afternoon at 4:30pm. The Hawks are hosting their annual bake sale to raise money for Cancer Care. Bring your wallets and your sweet tooth to tomorrow's game.
Go HAWKS
Hawks Have Up and Down Day Two at NIT
The Hawks showed some great heart in game 3 of the NIT event. Hannah Bannister got the start in net. The Hawks controlled the play for most of the game, but found themselves behind thanks to a couple of great goals by the Dallas Stars Elite team. The Hawks pulled one back late in the second. Claire Boyd moved the puck to Casey O'Brien behind the Dallas net. O'Brien found an open Delaney Darby who stepped into the high slot and fired a great shot to the top corner. Dallas reclaimed their two goal lead early in the third. The Hawks didn't quit and continued to battle right to the last whistle. With just over a minute left, Mia Brass and Chase Braun did some good work on the forecheck. Brass found Braun alone in front and she capitalized to give the Hawks life. They pulled Bannister for the extra attacker and found the game tying goal with 30 seconds to play. Rylee Harms moved the puck to her defence partner Mackenna Steeves, who fired a good shot towards a swarm of bodies in front of the net. A juicy rebound was collected by Boyd and sent the bench into a frenzy when she buried the rebound. The Hawks were rewarded for their great effort as they worked hard the entire game. Boyd was named player of the game for buzzing in the offensive zone all game and collecting a couple of points.
The second game of the day saw the Hawks face the Anaheim Lady Ducks. They started really well getting the game's first goal. The line of Casey O'Brien, Sophia Cox and Claire Boyd stayed hot. The trio were all involved in a nice low to high play that led to an excellent O'Brien chance. The goalie made the first save, but O'Brien found her own rebound and capitalized. Unfortunately for the Hawks, it was all downhill from that point. They gave up seven consecutive goals, lost starter Madison Froese to a lower body injury and were frustrated by some chippy play from their opponents. Bannister was solid coming into a game in a tough spot and Payton Manness was chosen player of the game for her usual strong play at both ends of the ice.
The Hawks head north Sunday and will resume regular season play next weekend. They welcome the Central Plains Capitals to Morden Friday night at 8pm and then they host their annual Hockey Fights Cancer Bake Sale Fundraiser on Saturday at 4:30pm when the Eastman Selects come to town.
Go Hawks
Hawks Drop A Pair On Opening Day Of NIT
The Hawks are in Minnesota for the 2025 Tradition NIT hockey tournament. This is a huge event with teams from all over North America. The Hawks were matched up against the New Hampshire Mountain Cats Academy and the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes on day one.
The opening game was a back and forth affair with the shots being even at 23 apiece in the end. The Hawks just couldn't solve the Mountain Cats' goalie. The final score was 5-0 and Rylee Harms was chosen as player of the game. She blocked several shots and started the rush on a handful of occasions with heads up break out passes
The second game was a better one for the Hawks, but they once again struggled to find the back of the net. Carolina took advantage of a few odd man rushes to take a commanding lead. The Hawks did manage to score their first goal of the event exactly halfway through the third period. From a defensive zone faceoff, the Hawks gained possession. Bree Pearce chipped the puck out of her zone and Casey O'Brien collected it in the neutral zone. O'Brien found Sophia Cox who had raced up the ice to make it a two on one. Cox made a nifty deke to the backhand and tucked the puck home. The Jr Hurricanes added an empty netter to make the final 5-1. Player of the game was Chase Braun for her relentless effort for the entire game.
The Hawks will be back on the ice Saturday at 12:30pm when they face the Dallas Stars Elite and again at 8:50pm when they face the Anaheim Lady Ducks.
Go Hawks
