Hawks Stage Epic Comeback to Down Lightning
The Hawks were in Arborg Saturday night to face the Interlake Lightning. The Lightning have only one win this season and it came at the expense of the Hawks in Morden. The Hawks were looking for revenge and Hannah Bannister was given the start in goal.
This game was full of goals. The Lightning opened the scoring after a turnover behind the Hawks net led to some confusion. The Lightning attacker faked to drive behind the goal and when the Hawks defender and Bannister took the bait, she deked back short side and stuffed it in the open net. The Hawks evened the score less than a minute later. Off an offensive zone draw taken by Chase Braun, Skyla HIldebrand took a big hit to get the puck to Mia Brass. Brass found Rylee Harms at the blue line and Harms' innocent shot through traffic, found its way into the back of the net, to make it one goal apiece. The Hawks grabbed the lead with five minutes to play in the first when Bree Pearce grabbed an ill advised pass up the middle of the ice at the Lightning blue line and fired a good shot through the five hole to make it 2-1 Hawks after 20 minutes of action. The Hawks outshot the hosts 13-7 in the first.
The second period saw the Hawks extend the lead on the power play, before the Lightning stormed back to tie the contest. Six minutes into the second, Makayla Warnick won a battle in her defensive corner. Leah Klassen scooped up the puck and moved it cross ice to Ella Victor. Victor gained speed through the neutral zone and made a great move to cut inside the Interlake defender. She put a shot on goal that was stopped, but Klassen was right there to hammer home the rebound to make it 3-1 Hawks. If the Hawks were hoping the Lightning were going to roll over and surrender, they were sadly mistaken. The Lightning got two goals in less than three minutes in the middle of the period to tie the game at three after forty minutes of play. The hosts outshot the Hawks 15-10 in the middle period.
The third period saw the Hawks fall behind when Interlake scored two goals in the first five minutes to really put a scare into the Hawks. They found themselves down 5-3 with fifteen minutes to play on the road. The Hawks didn't panic and came storming back with four big third period goals. Sophia Cox got them to within one just before the seven minute mark. Casey O'Brien was aggressive on the forecheck and moved the puck back to Mackenna Steeves. Her shot was knocked in to the corner where Hildebrand picked it up and moved it to Cox. Cox walked out front and snuck one home to make it 5-4. Just past the halfway point of the period, the Hawks drew even. VIctor made a nice clearing pass off the boards and Payton Manness was quick to jump behind the defence and scoop up a breakaway chance. Her shot found the five hole and the game was tied with with nine minutes to play. Two minutes later, the Hawks grabbed the lead for good. Pearce was aggressive on the forecheck and forced a turnover. The puck made its way to Brass who moved it back to Sinead Convery at the point. Convery's shot was blockered down by the goalie, but Claire Boyd found the rebound and picked out an open Delaney Darby, who fired home the go ahead goal. The Hawks rounded out the scoring a minute later when a relentless forecheck paid off. O'Brien forced a turnover on the boards and Cox chipped the puck to Manness heading towards the goal. Manness made a nice move to the backhand and tucked the puck five hole to make it 7-5 for the guests.
There were no more goals and the Hawks were pleased with their offensive outburst in getting the hard earned two points. Victor was named player of the game for a solid effort all night long, being strong defensively and being the catalyst for numerous Hawks' chances and goals. The Hawks head into a busy weekend ahead. They host the Eastman Selects Friday night before welcoming the Lightning to town Saturday afternoon. To cap things off, they head to Winnipeg Sunday for a game agains the Ice. They will hope to head to the Christmas break with some positive play and hopefully some points for the standings.
Go Hawks!
Hawks Drop Close Decision To Ice
The Hawks welcomed the Winnipeg Ice to Morden on Wednesday night. The Ice were coming off a strong showing at the 2 Nations Prep Tournament in Brampton, losing in the semifinal. Madison Froese got the start in net for this one for the hosts.
The opening period started well for the Hawks as they registered the first four shots on net and were playing with some good jump. Unfortunately, it was the Ice who found the scoresheet first. Off a faceoff in the Hawks zone, the puck found the stick of an Ice forward who fired it home before Froese could react. The Ice extended the lead off a lucky bounce later in the first. A point shot hit a body in front and fell right onto the stick of an open Ice player who had an open net to deposit the puck into. It was the last goal Froese would allow.
The Hawks battled hard and got one back in the second period. A really good offensive zone sequence lead to a Hawks goal. All five Hawks players touched the puck before it found the net. Sophia Cox moved it from the corner to Sinead Convery at the point. Convery went cross ice to her D partner Delaney Darby. Darby's vision found Payton Manness who fired a shot on net. It was saved, but Casey O'Brien was right there to knock home her seventh of the season.
The Hawks came out to start the third with high hopes of tying up the score at least a point on this night. They just find the net again and when the final buzzer sounded, they lost 2-1.
The Hawks are back at it Saturday night when they travel North to visit Santa and will make a stop along the way to face the Interlake Lightning in Arborg, Manitoba
GO Hawks!
Hawks Eliminated in Round of 16 Match in Brampton
The Hawks faced the Etobicoke Dolphins in the first round of the 16 team straight elimination playoffs Saturday night in Brampton. Madison Froese got the start in net.
The Hawks gave up single goals in each of the first two periods to fall behind 2-0. Despite trailing, they played a fast paced, aggressive style throughout the game.
They were rewarded for their efforts early in the third. Casey O'Brien stole the puck at her own face off circle and sped out of the zone. She chipped the puck past the defender at her blue line and collected it in the neutral zone. She drove hard to the net and while her first shot was stopped, she found the rebound and tucked it home to cut the lead to one. Despite a strong push to the finish, the Hawks could not even the score and were eliminated from the event.
The coaching staff had to be happy with the team's showing as the offense was clicking and the effort was off the charts both days. The girls return home for a mid week match up with the Winnipeg Ice who were also in Brampton. They fared well in the tournament, losing a close semi final game.
Go Hawks
Hawks Finish 2 Nations Prep Round Robin 2-0-1, Advance To Playoffs
The Hawks have had a very good start to the tournament in Brampton this weekend.
Friday morning they got things started against Oshawa. Casey O'Brien was denied the game's first goal when her strong wrist shot, that clearly went up to the back netting and knocked the water bottle off before coming straight back out, was missed by all three officials on the ice. Oshawa took the lead with an awesome top corner wrister from their captain while they were on the power play. O'Brien tied things up with a power play goal of her own before the end of the second. Sophia Cox moved the puck to O'Brien, who did a give and go with Delaney Darby, before firing a good shot into the top corner. Oshawa took the lead in the third on a shorthanded breakaway from the captain. The Hawks were just pulling Hannah Bannister late in the game for the extra attacker when Claire Boyd evened the score. Mackenna Steeves moved the puck to Darby, who passed it to Boyd in the neutral zone. Boyd crossed the blueline and put a harmless looking shot on net, that got by the goalie, to tie the score. It finished 2-2 as ties aren't broken in the round robin.
The second game of the day saw the Hawks face the Ayr Rockets. This was a very tight checking game with a ref who just loved calling the head contact penalty as well as any coincidental penalty he could see. The game remained scoreless until Casey O'Brien stole a puck in the neutral zone, burst into the Rockets' zone and fired a shot upstairs to secure a 1-0 win. Madison Froese was strong in net for the shutout, making over 20 saves (official gamesheet not available).
The Hawks completed the round robin Saturday morning by thumping the Carelton Place squad. The game was likely closer than the final score would indicate, as the opponents hit a handful of posts and crossbars, but Hannah Bannister also made a number of huge saves. In the end, the Hawks got goals from Csey O'Brien (3) and singles from Bree Pearce, Sophia Cox, Leah Klassen and Payton Manness. Manness added 2 or 3 helpers (official game sheet not reviewed), Cox had a pair of assists, Single helpers went to Braun, O'Brien, Mia Brass, Riley Harms and Makayla Warnick. Sinead Convery impressed by blocking at least 5 shots in this game and several were from high quality scoring positions.
The Hawks finished atop pool G and will face the Etibicoke Dolphins who went 3-0, but finished second in pool H in their round robin. This round of 16 match up will get underway at 3:45 Eastern time. You can log into Live Barn to catch all the action. The game is at the CAA Centre on the Tire World ice surface.
Go Hawks
Hawks Fall To Wildcats
The Hawks visited Hartney on Sunday to face the Westman Wildcats. Madison Froese got the call in net for this game. The Hawks remained without Casey O'Brien and Mackenna Steeves due to injuries, but they welcomed reinforcements Allie Huck and Gianna Yaschyshyn to the lineup.
The opening period saw the Hawks take the early lead thanks to a beautiful shot from Sophia Cox. Cox took a pass from Delaney Darby on the left wall and took a few steps towards the goal before firing the puck upstairs. The Wildcats evened the score on a nice power play goal a few minutes later. The score remained tied after 20 minutes with the Wildcats enjoying a 12-7 edge in the shots on goal.
The second period saw Westman score two goals in the first half of the period and the Hawks claw one back in the latter half of the frame. The Hawks goal came on the power play. Mia Brass found Bree Pearce open in the low slot and Pearce's quick release was in the net before the goalie could react. The second period ended 3-2 for Westman and they stretched their advantage in the shots on goal to 23-17 through two.
The third period got off to a rough start as Westman doubled their lead just over two minutes in. There were no more goals in the final period and the Hawks found themselves on the wrong end of the 4-2 final score. Chase Braun was player of the game for battling every shift and putting in valuable minutes on the penalty kill.
The Hawks head to Brampton this weekend for the 2 Nations Prep Tournament. Good luck and safe travels.
Go Hawks
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 impressive 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
