Hawks Earn Second Consecutive Shootout Victory
The Hawks welcomed the Westman Wildcats to Morden on Sunday afternoon coming off a huge shootout victory the previous day over the Winnipeg Ice. Madison Froese got her fourth start of the season in net. The Hawks acknowledged Wildcats Hadley Robertson and Callie Franklin who helped the host Central Energy U15 fast pitch team win the silver medal at the Canadian Championships this summer in Morden/Winkler. They teamed up with current Hawks; Payton Manness, Sinead Convery and Bree Pearce to accomplish that incredible feat this summer.
The Hawks opened the scoring in this game just over halfway into the first. Claire Boyd was very strong on the wall in the Wildcats' zone to knock the puck loose to Delaney Darby. Darby moved the puck to Casey O'Brien who drove into the slot and fired a great shot top shelf to open the scoring. The Wildcats evened the score with just over a minute to play in the first as they capitalized on a strong forecheck to create the scoring opportunity.
The second period was all Westman as they scored two nice goals to take a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes. The first was a great deflection off a point shot and the second was a very smart back door power play goal with three and half minutes to play in the second. The Hawks were worried this game was slipping away, as not only were they down two goals, but they were getting badly outshot 24-12 through two.
To their credit, the Hawks showed up in the third to earn themselves at least a point in this game. Just before the eight minute mark, Darby broke up a play in her own zone and moved the puck to Sophia Cox. Cox chipped it out the zone to O'Brien who moved up ice, cut into the slot and fired her second goal of the game over the Wildcats tender's shoulder. The Hawks tied things up with just over two minutes to play. They were on a power play and Manness and Ella Victory were moving the puck back and forth on the left half wall. The puck found its way over to Rylee Harms and her point shot went off a Westman leg and deflected into the net, giving Harms her first goal as a U18 Hawk.
The game went to overtime and started with the Wildcats on an almost full two minute power play. Froese made several big saves and got some luck with a few pucks directing off the iron. At the end of overtime, the score remained 3-3 and Froese had made 40 saves heading to the shootout.
The Hawks elected to shoot first and Manness scored a beauty backhand deke to put the Hawks in the driver's seat. The first Wildcat shooter missed the net, Mackenna Steeves was denied and the second Wildcat shooter lost control of the puck as she went to make her move. This set the stage for O'Brien to win the game. She moved in slowly and then quickly moved the goalie side to side and flicked a great backhand up under the bar to set off the victory celebration.
Froese has 42 saves on the afternoon, her second game in a row with 40 plus stops. O'Brien was chosen as player of the game for her strong physical presence and for scoring two massive goals and adding the shootout winner.
The Hawks will be heading south of the border next weekend to compete in the NIT event in Minneapolis. Good luck girls.
Go Hawks!
Hawks Earn First Win Of Season
The Hawks welcomed the league's top team to Morden on Saturday afternoon. The Winnipeg Ice were fresh off a mid week shootout win against the Eastman Selects to become the only remaining undefeated team in the league with a 5-0 record. Madison Froese got the start in goal for the hosts.
The opening period was a back and forth affair that saw both teams score two goals. The Ice opened the scoring just over five minutes into the game with a slick three way passing play. Before the goal could be announced, the Hawks had tied the score. Sophia Cox chipped the puck out of her zone and Casey O'Brien collected it with speed crossing the Ice blueline. O'Brien's effort was stopped, but Claire Boyd was there to bury the rebound and collect her first as a U18 Hawk. The Ice regained the lead just over a minute later, but the Hawks tied it up with less than five minutes to play in the first. Payton Manness and Rylee Harms worked a nice give and go at the Ice blueline. Manness slid the puck over to Makayla Warnick who fired a wrist shot into the top of the net, to get her first as a Hawk.
The second period was controlled by the Ice. They outshot the Hawks 12-5 and managed to grab the lead on a great power play deflection, just past the seven minute mark.
The Hawks tied things back up early in the third. Delaney Darby jumped all over an Ice turnover at their own blueline and ripped a great shot top corner to get her first of the season unassisted. The Ice poured it on for the rest of the game, outshooting the Hawks 18-3 in the third and also hitting at least three posts, but they couldn't reclaim the lead.
This game needed overtime, but neither team could score, so it went to a three round shootout. The first four shooters had no luck, including Mia Brass and Darby for the Hawks. O'Brien mishandled the puck entering the zone on her attempt, but regrouped and tucked a nice backhand deke past the Ice goalie to give the Hawks the advantage. The Ice's third shooter scored a very nice goal to extend the shootout. Manness was next up for the Hawks and she fired an absolute laser under the bar to put the Hawks in a position to win it for a second round in a row. Froese stood tall against the Ice shooter, making her 44th save on the night to secure the Hawks first win of the season. Froese was a well deserving choice as player of the game for her amazing effort
The Hawks are right back at it Sunday afternoon when they welcome the Westman Wildcats to Morden for a 2:30pm puck drop.
Go HAWKS!!!
Lightning Rain On Hawks Home Opener
The Hawks were in Morden Sunday afternoon for their regular season home opener. Madison Froese got the start in net against the winless Interlake Lightning. In fact, the Lightning hadn't managed to score a single goal in their first three games, so the Hawks knew they'd be coming out strong to change their fortunes.
The Hawks started this game out on the right foot. They outshot the Lightning 7-4 in the first and scored the only goal of the period. Mackenna Steeves worked a give and go with Mia Brass at the offensive blue line. Steeves wristed a shot towards the goal that Casey O'Brien deflected towards the goalie. A rebound resulted and Sophia Cox jumped all over it to put the Hawks ahead.
The second period saw the Lightning find the back of the net for the first time this season. They won a puck battle below the Hawks goal line and snuck a nice wrap around effort past Froese to tie the game just over a minute into the frame. The Lightning added a second on a very slick end to end rush by Bragg. The Hawks tied the score just over a minute later. A nice zone entry with speed by Leah Klassen created the opportunity. Klassen's speed created space for Bree Pearce who took the puck behind the net and found Delaney Darby open at the blue line. Darby's attempt on goal was deflected by Payton Manness in the high slot. Pearce had the first crack at the rebound and after her attempt was stopped, the puck fell to Klassen, who finished the sequence she'd started, by jamming home the loose puck.
The Lighting showed great character by coming out to start the third with more jump and grit than the hosts. Their efforts were rewarded with two goals. The first came from an offensive zone faceoff, as they were quicker to find the rebound from a point shot. The second was just a result of their forwards wanting the puck more than our players off a turnover and they took a 4-2 lead with just under ten minutes to play. The Hawks did have a late game surge, but couldn't generate any further goals. Claire Boyd was chosen as player of the game for supporting her defence and for her usual solid all around work ethic.
The Hawks will be back in action next weekend with two home games. They welcome the Winnipeg Ice on Saturday afternoon at 4:30pm and will round out the weekend against the Westman Wildcats on Sunday at 2:30pm. The Hawks will be eager to get their first win of the season.
Go Hawks
Hawks Suffer Lopsided Loss To Avros
The Hawks were in Winnipeg Saturday to take on the Avros. Hannah Bannister was the starter and the Hawks were looking to bounce back after dropping their season opening game the day before.
Unfortunately, this game went south quickly and the Hawks were handed a resounding defeat by a score of 8-0. They were outshot 31-17 and just couldn't generate any high quality scoring chances. Delaney Darby was chosen as player of the game as she was solid on the blue line and made some smart poke checks.
The Hawks will look to right the ship on Sunday afternoon when they welcome the Interlake Lightning to Morden for their home opener.
Go Hawks
Hawks Drop Season Opener In Portage
The Hawks were in Portage Friday night to kick off the 2025/26 U18 AAA MFHL season against the Central Plains Capitals. Madison Froese got the start in net.
The Hawks dug themselves are early hole, falling behind 2-0 after twenty minutes of play. The Capitals opened the scoring on a good drive around the Hawks defence and a smart cut back across the crease to tuck in the first goal of the night. The lead was doubled on a power play late in the first.
The Hawks found their first goal of the regular season early in the second while on the power play. Some good work down low led to a puck retrieval by the Hawks. The puck was moved back to Rylee Harms at the point. She slid it across to her defensive partner Ella Victor, who fired a shot on goal. Bree Pearce was credited with the power play marker as she got a stick on it in front to pull the Hawks to within one.
The Capitals regained their two goal cushion early in the third and never looked back. The final score in the season opener was 3-1 Capitals. Victor was chosen player of the game for her hard work in the corners and solid defensive play.
The Hawks are back on the ice Saturday evening at the Seven Oaks Arena with a matchup against the Winnipeg Avros. Puck drop is set for 4:15.
Go Hawks
Hawks Drop 4-2 Decision Despite Solid Effort
The Hawks were back on the ice early Sunday morning for the second game of their exhibition weekend against the ND 16U and 19U AAA teams. After losing to the 16U team 6-2, the Hawks were hoping for a better result against the 19U squad.
The opening period saw the Hawks fall behind 1-0 on a nice individual effort by the ND forward. Despite giving up the period's only goal, the Hawks played well and generated several good scoring opportunities.
The Hawks evened the score right off the opening faceoff to start the second. All five players touched the puck to help Bree Pearce collect her first as a U18 Hawk. The draw was won back to Delaney Darby who moved the puck to her right, to her D partner Sinead Convery. Convery banked a pass off the wall to Chase Braun, who made a nice touch pass to Sophia Cox at the blue line. Cox' shot was saved, but Pearce was there to bang in the rebound and tie the game. The ND team got two more goals after that to take a 3-1 lead to the dressing room. The first was a strong drive around the Hawks' defense and a great finish with a cut to the net. The second was a nice pass from below the goal line to a player who moved undetected and unmarked into the slot.
The third period was once again very well played by the Hawks. They drew to within one goal just over halfway through the frame when Casey O'Brien used her size and strength to seperate the defender from the puck at the ND blueline. O'Brien then slid the puck over to a wide open Payton Manness, who froze the goalie with a fake shot, before pulling it to her backhand and tucking it into the open cage she created with the sweet fake. The Hawks pushed hard for the equalizer, but the ND team doubled the lead with just over two minutes to play from an offensive zone faceoff and the final score was 4-2.
Skyla Hildebrand was named player of the game for her stong two way play and relentless effort. The Hawks will travel home and have a few practices before jumping into regular season play next weekend. They start the season on the road in Portage on Friday night against the Central Plains Capitals.
GO Hawks
Hawks Drop Game One In Fargo Against ND 16U Team
The Hawks are in Fargo this weekend for a pair of exhibition games. They faced off against the ND 16U team on Saturday night and will meet the ND 19U team on Sunday morning.
Game one saw the Hawks end up on the wrong end of convincing 6-2 defeat. The opening period was all hosts. ND 16U opened the scoring off a rebound from a point shot, added a second on a shifty play that saw their attacker waltz through the Hawks defence and scored a third to give them a 3-0 lead after one.
The Hawks fought back to narrow the gap to one after the second period. They got their first on the power play when Delaney Darby left the puck for Casey O'Brien. O'Brien moved in to the slot and fired a good hard shot that produced a juicy rebound that Sopia Cox banked home to get the guests on the board. A few minutes later, Mackenna Steeves fired a hard pass from the point to Bree Pearce in the slot. Pearce's effort was stopped, but Skyla Hildebrand was on the doorstep to bang home another rebound goal, to give the Hawks life heading to the third.
Unfortunately, the final period did not go well. The ND 16U team got a lucky bounce early to double the lead and then added another shortly after on a shot from the half wall that seemed to surprise the Hawks goalie. The shifty ND team added a sixth later in the third to round out the scoring. The final shots were 30 apiece, but one would have to say the quality chances were tilted much more in favour of the winners.
The Hawks will get a good night's sleep and wake up bright and early for a matchup with the ND 19U team.
Go Hawks
Hawks Round Out Showcase On Losing Note
The Hawks had an early Sunday morning showdown with the Winnipeg Ice. It was the first meeting between the teams since the Ice knocked the Hawks out of the playoffs last season.
Hannah Bannister got the start for the visitors. She was solid in the opening period as the Ice outshot the Hawks 11-8, but neither team could find the back of the net.
The second period saw the Hawks break the deadlock just past the five minute mark. Claire Boyd was aggressive on a forecheck and got the puck to Casey O'Brien. O'Brien smartly slid the puck cross ice to a wide open Payton Manness, who converted the open net opportunity to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead. The Ice pushed back and managed to score two goals to grab the lead after forty minutes.
The third period got away from the Hawks as the Ice added four goals, to end up winning the game by a comfortable 6-1 margin.
Overall, the showcase weekend had some ups and downs for the Hawks. They will build off the experience as they get closer to the regular season starting. Next weekend sees the team head down to Fargo for a couple of games against the ND 16U and ND 19U teams.
Go Hawks
Hawks Earn Last Minute Draw With Yellowhead
The Hawks faced off against the Yellowhead Chiefs Saturday night in Portage. Both teams were sporting 1-1 records thus far in the CP Showcase weekend.
The game was tightly contested with both teams generating some quality chances in the opening period. The Chiefs grabbed the lead just before the halfway point of the first when Casey George snuck one past Madison Froese. It was the only shot that would get by her on the ngiht.
The second and third periods were well played with both goaltenders making some big saves. The Hawks pulled Froese late to try and generate some offense. With just under a minute to play, the extra attacker paid off. Casey O'Brien won a puck battle and found Mia Brass unmarked in the slot. Brass fired home a great shot to tie the game and help the Hawks bounce back with a tie after a tough loss earlier in the day.
The Hawks will be back on the ice early Sunday morning when they face the Winnipeg Ice at 8:45am. It will be the first time the Hawks face the Ice since the Ice eliminated them in the opening round of the playoffs last season.
Go Hawks.
Hawks Suffer Lopsided Loss To Avros
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