Hawks Overpowered By Selects
The Hawks travelled to Niverville on Sunday for a matchup with the Eastman Selects. These teams played last weekend and the Hawks were eager to try to avenge the recent 6-1 defeat. Birthday girl Hannah Bannister got the start in goal.
The Hawks were coming off a good effort in a losing cause against the Avros and Eastman were fresh off a 3-2 overtime loss to the Yellowhead Chiefs. The Hawks had to be nervous that Eastman would come out full throttle on the heels of a home defeat and boy did they ever.
Eastman dominated play from start to finish outshooting the Hawks 38-15 and outscoring them 11-0. Sinead Convery was named player of the game for her effort in the battles, working hard to get pucks out of her zone and for blocking an amazing total of seven shots.
The Hawks will be back in action Wednesday night in Morden when they host the Interlake Lightning. These teams have played some high scoring games this year, so it should be entertaining for the fans. Puck drop is at 7:30pm.
GO HAWKS
Hawks Fall To Avros Despite Strong Effort
The Hawks were at the Seven Oaks Arena Saturday night to take on the Winnipeg Avros. Madison Froese got the start in goal.
The Hawks came out with good jump and were very aggressive on the forecheck. They outshot the Avros 13-7 in the first, but the Avros managed the only goal, a really great shot by their leading scorer.
The second period was an entertaining fast paced frame. The Hawks tied the game after a great shift with almost a minute of offensive zone possesion. All five Hawks touched the puck on the equalizer. Sinead Convery found Claire Boyd who moved it down low to Sophia Cox. Cox rimmed it around the boards to Mackenna Steeves at the point. Steeves' effort was knocked down by Boyd in the slot and her attempt was blocked. The puck fell to Leah Klassen who chipped it up and over the goalie's glove to tie the game.
A major turning point in the game came on a disallowed Hawks' goal. After another strong shift the Hawks had one called back. After a good forecheck on the wall by Ariel Rondeau to force a turnover, Payton Manness drove the puck in hard and moved it behind the net to Chase Braun. Braun found Delaney Darby open at the point and Darby's shot was deflected by Braun in the slot. The ref was standing close to the play an immediately waved it off for a high stick. While watching live it didn't look like a high stick and watching the video after confirms the puck was closer to Braun's waist when she tipped it in. These things happen and the Hawks were forced to move on, being unjustly denied the go ahead goal. The Avros grabbed the lead just after killing off a penalty later in the second. A good forecheck by the penalty killer led to a turnover. The Avros' attempt on net went off the blocker of Froese and into the goal to give the hosts a 2-1 lead, that they held into the second intermission.
The third period saw the Hawks push back to try and tie the game, but two of the Avros skilled seniors found the net to extend the lead to 4-1 with just over six minutes to play. The Hawks didn't quit and pulled one back with just over four minutes to play. An Avros defender threw a puck cross ice in her own zone and Cox picked it off before firing a shot home low glove side. The ref awarded assistes to Boyd and Ella Victor on the play. The Hawks battled hard to the final whistle, but ended up losing 4-2. Klassen was player of the game for a great effort all night long at both ends of the ice. The Hawks are off to Niverville Sunday to meet the Selects who will be extra fiesty coming off a 3-2 home loss to the Yellowhead Chiefs.
GO HAWKS
Hawks Dismantled By Selects
The Hawks were in Niverville last weekend to take on the Eastman Selects. Madison Froese made 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. Sophia Cox picked up a nice pass off the boards from Leah Klassen and fired a good shot into the net to give the Hawks the very early advantage. Despite getting outshot in the opening period 10-6, the Hawks held the one goal lead into the intermission.
The second period saw the Selects push back in a big way. They dominated the play, the quality chances and eventually the scoreboard. They managed four unanswered goals to grab a commanding 4-1 lead after forty minutes.
In the third period, the Selects continued to dominate play, added two more goals and ended up outshooting the Hawks 45-14 on the afternoon.
Froese was a well deserving choice as player of the game, making 39 saves. The Hawks have two games this weekend when they travel to Winnipeg tonight to face the Avros at 7:30pm at Seven Oaks and they are right back in Niverville on Sunday to try their luck again with the Selects for a 4pm game time.
GO HAWKS
Hawks In Giving Spirit Against Ice
The Hawks travelled to Winnipeg the weekend before Christmas to face the Ice. They had home games cancelled in the preceding two days due to poor road conditions. The Ice are always a tough opponent, but the Hawks made things extra easy for the Ice with some pre Christmas generosity.
To spare the painful details, the Hawks were thumped 11-1 and the only bright spot was Mia Brass getting her first of the regular season with an assist from Skyla Hildebrand (who was strong on the forecheck to force a turnover).
The Hawks enjoyed their Christmas break and head back to work on Saturday, January 3rd in Niverville, when they take on the other league juggernaut (Eastman Selects) at 2pm.
Go Hawks
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
