Oct 2/15 - Season and Home Opener
With the tryouts and preseason out of the way, it was time to hit the ice for the start of the 2015/2016 season and the Hawks were ready to welcome the defending champion Central Plains Capitals to the unfriendly confines of the Access Event Centre in Morden. Dana, Shanley and Al had the girls ready to come out strong against their archrivals from Portage. As the girls were introduced prior to the start of the game, the partisan crowd was anticipating a great game. The Hawks did not disappoint either, coming out flying and peppering the Caps netminder with shot after shot. The home team dominated most of the play and was passing the puck very efficiently. When the Hawks were granted their first powerplay, their top line went to work. They passed the puck around well, but when a pass got past Jenai at the point, Sheridan Oswald raced down the ice to get to the loose puck. Just as she corralled the puck, Katie closed in on her on the backcheck, but the puck, which Taylor made the initial save on, sat at the top of the crease, where an open Mekaela Fisher pounced on the rebound sliding it into the back of the net. Undaunted, the Hawks regrouped and five minutes later, Chloe would make a great first pass out of her zone to Alyssa, who had a head full of steam. Alyssa fed Mackenzie McCallum, and the rookie, at the 4:20 mark of the first period, notched her second goal of the season, evening the score at one apiece. Then, later in the first, Sage took a pass from Major who dove at her blue line to chip it over the Caps defender, and skating in uncontested, roofed a shot high glove side to give the home crowd another great reason to cheer. Skating into the first intermission, the Hawks took a 2-1 lead with a decisive 15-6 shots advantage, and the momentum of play. With the period break, the Hawks seemed to cool off as the second period saw some uncharacteristically poor choices which lead to a steady parade to the penalty box. With a double minor penalty kill early in the second frame, Central Plains got a lucky bounce off the end boards which caught Taylor a little off guard and a fortuitous bounce off of Taylor's left pad, the puck trickled across the line, bringing the score even at 2 goals each. As penalty after frustrating penalty was called against the home squad, the frustration level grew, and before the period would end, another powerplay goal by the visiting Caps would put them in front. A shot from the high slot seemed to be saved by Taylor, but the puck managed to slow down after hitting Taylor's jersey, but as it fell to the ice, it bounce into the back of the net. The horn sounded to end the second frame, and much to everyone's dismay on the home side, the score was 3-2 Caps, with the visitors having outshot the home side 12-10. Having to kill off six penalties in the second would be just too much to ask of this young team. Hoping for a strong end and finding that equalizing marker in the third proved daunting, as the Caps resorted to the tough defensive play that made them provincial champions last year. The Hawks would only manage seven more shots in the third, as opposed to the visitor's eight shots, but in the end it would be the visiting squad that would best Pembina Valley, and spoil their home opener. Final score would be 3-2 for the Capitals, even though the 32-26 shots on goal favoured the home team. There were many positives in the game, but discipline would certainly be the key to turning future games around.
Oct 4/15 vs Winnipeg Avros
On a sunny Saturday afternoon, October 4th at 2:00, the girls hosted the Winnipeg Avros back in Morden, Manitoba. With last night's loss still stinging, the girls knew they would have to play a solid defensive game, and force more pucks to the crease, making life difficult for the opposing goaltender. The girls, much like yesterday, came out flying from the drop of the puck, determined to make a difference early. This early pressure backfired as an errant pass in the Hawks' defensive zone was picked up too conveniently by a dangerous Avros forward who wasted little time, making a sweet deke right in front of Halle, tucking the puck into the back of the net. Halle, to her credit, had little to time to react, but almost made the save regardless. The Hawks, unfazed, went right back to work, throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the Winnipeg netminder for the remainder of the period, but they would come up short. The shots after one had the Hawks destroying the opposition, 14-6, but still behind by one on the scoreboard. With the second period underway, the home crowd saw much of the same type of second period they witnessed the previous night, with a total of seven infractions stopping the play, with four of those penalties being charged to the home team. This managed to put a little dent into the momentum factor that the Hawks were generating, but they still carried the play considerably. There would be some very close calls for the Hawks, but no scoring for either team. Pembina Valley was comfortably holding the shots on goal advantage to this point with a healthy 24-11, two period advantage, but the visiting squad would still hold the lead at 1-0. The third period seemed to fly by with a lot of end to end action, more so than the first two frames. There would be some close calls for the Hawks, with at least one shot off the iron from a wicked wrist shot by Katie, but no early goal would come. The Hawks, anxious to get that equalizing goal kept pressing and moved the puck well. In the second half of the period, with Lindsey doing what she does best, moving the puck and her feet so quickly, she passed the puck over to Megan guarding the line. Megan took one stride in and laced a shot at the net, which the Avros netminder made the first stop on, but Sage and her knack for scoring picked up the loose puck and slid in her team leading fourth goal of the year, with 7:55 left in the game. As the clock wound down, it would be apparent that overtime or a shoot out would determine the winner. Overtime would solve nothing, so the skill of the shoot out would have to. First up it would be the Hawks who would lean on Lindsay to get the home team up front. A quick shot after an equally quick move on net managed to get stopped. Halle had no issue stopping the Avro's first shooter, so Katie would get the call next. Coming in from the far side of the ice, a quick backhand to forehand move, and nifty shot beat the goalie, giving the home crowd a reason to cheer. The Avro's second shooter would also be stymied by Halle, who played the puck perfectly, setting up Sage to end the game. Going quick backhand-forehand unfortunately didn't fool the netminder this time, so the pressure was on Halle to shut the door once again. This time, the Avros forward wristed a great shot that went bar down, so another round of shooters would be necessary. The bench bosses sent out Jenai who walked in and wired a shot just under the blocker of the netminder, again putting the pressure on the Winnipeg team. This allowed the young Hawks goaltender to showcase her skills once again, and being up the task, Halle shut the door giving the home team the well deserved win. The final score was 2-1 Hawks, with the home team outshooting their opponent 34-19. Hawks Thanksgiving Showcase
Game 1 - The Hawks took on Interlake in their first game of the showcase. The Hawks came out strong against the newest team in the MFMHL, going right after them from the first drop of the puck. Although it took almost half a period to get the first goal, once the first one was scored, the floodgates seemed to open and they never looked back. In the first period it would be Sage getting the party started with helpers from Katie and Jenai. The second goal came off the stick of Ginny, unassisted. The third marker came from Jenai, with assists going to Brooke and Sage. In the second period it would be Chloe starting the scoring with Ginny and Katie drawing assists. Then it would be Chelsea from Alyssa and Megan. Then Megan would score her own, with Jenai and Sage getting the helpers. Finally it would be Mackenzie McCallum closing out the frame with Lindsay and Brooke, making it a seven goal lead going into the second intermission. In the third period, it would be much more of the same, with Sage notching her second of the game, from Lindsay and Brooke. Then Alyssa scored, unassisted later on in the period. With 4:17 left in the final frame, it would be Mackenzie scoring her second of the game from Chelsea. When the dust finally settled, the score would be 10-0, with the Hawks dominating the shots on goal, according to the scoreboard, 94-14. Earning the shutout was a well rested Halle.
Game 2 - The Hawks skated out again in their sharp red jerseys for the second time in a row, this time facing the Norman Wild, in their first time seeing their league opponents from the north. Again it would be the Hawks starting the scoring, when at 12:33 Alyssa walked in from the corner and saw a small opening on the short side, and with little margin for error, she snapped a shot low blocker side, drawing first blood. Getting the apples were Hutch and Abbey. The Wild would respond though just two minutes later when on a broken play in their own end, the Hawks couldn't clear the zone. A Wild forward spun and fired on net, which Taylor stopped,, but the rebound jumped onto the stick of a forward sitting on the back door and she slid it into the open net. Then, almost four minutes later the Wild would strike again, making it a 2-1 game. The second period saw a dominating performance from the Hawks, with wave after wave of pressure, but to no avail. The Wild netminder was playing fantastic, stopping all shots that were directed at her. There would be no scoring in the frame, but there were a lot of positives from that period. In the third it became more apparent that the staunch pressure that the Hawks were applying to their opponent would have to be amped up. The girls kept the pressure up, looking for that equalizing goal. With 4:10 left in the game, and the Hawks on a powerplay, Jenai would step up and draw the score even when after some great cross ice passing, between Katie and Sage, Sage would set up a one-timer for Jenai who blasted one through traffic and into the back of the net. As the hometown crowd cheered the girls on, there would be a great pass from Chelsea up to Sage, who walked into the zone and danced through a defender, cutting to the middle and ripping a cross body shot that beat the Wild goalie blocker side. This goal at 1:50 left would prove to be the game winner, as the Hawks skated off with a well deserved 3-2 win. Turning aside 11 shots would be Taylor who picked up the win in net. Next up would be the Central Plains Capitals, Saturday morning at 11:30 am.
Game 3 - Going up against the Caps, who got the better of the Hawks in the regular season opener, vengence was on the minds of the Pembina Valley squad. Halle would get the nod in net and would need to be sharp against the always dangerous and speedy Caps squad. The Hawks though would open the scoring, after a very strong start to the match. On the second shift, Katie took a pass from Megan deep in the Hawks zone, and skating up the left side, came up on on one with a Caps defender and wiring a wrist shot high blocker, beat the netminder at the 2:12 into the game. The Hawks would continue to press for the remainder of the period, but despite outshooting the Caps badly, the score remained 1-0. In the second stanza, the Hawks kept up with their aggressive forecheck and suffocating defense, and were rewarded again, but this time on the penalty kill. Chelsea made the defender cough up the puck in the neutral zone where Alyssa was forechecking. Alyssa poked the puck past the last defenceman and skated in alone on net. Seeing a lateral move she snapped a low shot and beat the goaltender five hole, giving the Hawks a 2 goal cushion. There would be no more scoring in the second and going into the dressing room for the second break, the Hawks held a distinct advantage in the shots on goal department, leading 20-9. Knowing no lead is safe against last year's league champions, the girls knew they would have to keep up the stifling defense. The Caps pressed hard, and threw everything they could at Halle, but at every turn, the Sanford product was up to the task. There were some close quarter chances, some in tight one-timers, but each one was stopped or turned aside. The Hawks defensive corps played an outstanding game, frustrating the Caps forwards from then on in. With the Caps goalie pulled for the extra attacker, Lindsay fought off two tough checks in the neutral zone and forcing the play into the attacking zone, backhanded the puck into the yawning cage sealing the win for the hometown girls. A great statement win for the Hawks, and some momentum created heading into a Sunday morning showdown against the Shaftesbury Titans. Game time is 11:00 am. Oct 17/15 vs Yellowhead Chiefs
Looking for a big a win on the road, the Hawks made the long trek to Shoal Lake to tangle with the Yellowhead Chiefs. Having spent the week preparing for this match up, the Hawks looked every bit ready as they worked the puck well to start the game. They forechecked well and clogged up the passing lanes as they produced more opportunities than their league rivals. Halfway through the first though, it would be the home team that would strike first, when on a nifty backhand drop pass the Chief forward gained a two on 0 and despite Halle's best effort, the Chief forward lifted a forehand shot over her outstretched glove hand. Undaunted, the Hawks pressed on, but they weren't able to solve the Yellowhead netminder, Emma Greenwood. By the end of the first, the Hawks had outshot their opponent 15-5 but found themselves down 1-0. Hoping for more of the same strong play in the second, the Hawks tried to keep the pressure on, but it would be the home team that would reverse the tide. It would be the second period where the officiating became part of the game as well, as time after time, the referee would toss out Hawks centres on players encroaching on the face offs. There was no scoring in the second frame. The Chiefs would end up outshooting the visiting Hawks 11-9 in the frame. Going into the third and final period, the visiting crowd was anxious for a goal, some reward for the good passing and strong forechecking their girls were doing, but no goals were found in the visitor's favour. Instead, nearly halfway through the period, a Chief's three on two ensued and with a backhand that Halle managed to get most of, but not all of, snuck over the right pad and just across the goal line, giving the home team the 2-0 lead. Then, with time running down, and Halle pulled for the extra attacker, a Yellowhead attacker took possession of a loose puck, gained the red line and lifted the puck down the ice into the gaping net, sealing the 3-0 victory. With no time left to mount a comeback, the Hawks skated into the dressing room a defeated bunch, with no goals to show for their 32-26 shot differential advantage. A long ride home after a disappointing result, allowed the sting to wear off, with hopes for a quick turnaround game against the visiting Eastman Selects afternoon. Game time is 3:00 at the Access Event Centre.
Oct 18 vs Eastman Selects
Coming off a disappointing loss, the Hawks quickly turned the page as they hosted the Eastman Selects in Morden at 3:00 Sunday afternoon. Knowing that scoring goals would be key to winning, the girls were determined to throw rubber at the net and bang away making every opportunity count. The game started with the Hawks showing a higher level of intensity than their counterparts. They forced the play early, playing a stingy defensive game and making good passes out of their own zone. After dominating a good chunk of the first frame, it would be the Hawks finally breaking the goose egg at the 1:47 mark, when on the powerplay, Sage jumped on a juicy rebound off the Select goalie's right pad, sweeping the puck into the net. Drawing the assists were Meg on the slapshot from the point, as well as Katie. That would be the only goal in the first, with the home squad outshooting the visitors 13-5. In the second, the Hawks would really apply the pressure and they did so with authority. Although they desperately outshot (20-3) and outchanced Eastman, there would only be one goal in the frame, when Sage would notch her second of the match with only 29 seconds left on the clock. Mackenzie McCallum had chipped the puck up to Chelsea on the left side and alertly drawing the lone defender towards her, Chelsea slid the puck over to a wide open Sage, who wasted no time snapping a wrister low glove side. The third period was a different affair, in that it was filled with ten penalties. Some of the frustrations of the first two frames seemed to carry over and manifested themselves on the ice. Early on, on a short handed effort, Katie attacked the puck carrier below the Eastman's goal line, stripping her of the puck, and fed a pass to a wide open Chelsea. Chelsea made no mistake in wiring a shot high blocker side, just under the bar to give the home team a three goal lead. Only a few minutes later, Hannah Petrie picked up a loose puck, fired it cross ice, which Abbey deflected up to Mackenzie M who was in full stride. Barreling hard to the net with a Eastman defenseman draped all over her, Mackenzie saw the goalie jump out to reach the puck and alertly lunged and poked the puck under the diving netminder, bolstering the Hawks' lead to four. This seemed to be the dagger, as from here on in the game became more physical as the tensions grew. A steady stream of players paraded to the box, but in the end it would be the Hawks who would come out on top as they skated off with a big 4-0 victory. The final shots on net would be a lopsided 52-12 margin. Taylor wasn't tested often, but made some key saves when she was tested with some close up shots, and ended up with a great shutout. The defense also deserves special mention as they stood tall and really limited the chances for the Eastman forwards. Next game is Oct 23rd when the Hawks host the Norman Wild in Morden. Game time is 7:45.
Oct 23/15 vs Norman Wild
On Friday, Oct 23rd, the Hawks played host to their rivals from up north, when the Norman Wild came to town. The Hawks seemingly had turned the corner from the Yellowhead game, where they were shut out, when they scored four goals against Eastman last weekend. Wanting to continue where they left off, the Hawks did just that, scoring seven times in the opening frame. Led by goals, which started at the one and a half minute mark from Mackenzie M, Brooke, Hannah, Lindsay, Chloe (playing forward), Chelsea and Sage, the Hawks chased the Wild netminder early in the first. Not fairing much better was the back up who, after the scoring slowed down, was replaced again with the starting goaltender. After one period of play, the shots on goal favoured heavily in the Hawks favour, by a 20-4 margin. In the second frame, it would be the Hawks going to work again, this time stemming the scoring, only lighting the lamp three times. Chelsea got her second and then third of the game, within a :14 gap to start the second period action, and then Hannah would collect her second of the night, only 20 seconds after Chelsea's third goal. By the end of the second period, the shots on net were 21-4 in the frame, and the score was 10-0. In the last period, there would be only one goal, when Hannah completed her hat trick to complement Chelsea's, making the final score 11-0. The final shots on goal were 51 for the Hawks and 16 for the Wild. Halle stopped all the rubber that was directed at her, earning the shut out in net. When the dust settled, eleven of the Hawks skaters had recorded multiple points. Even with a lopsided score, the girls had to stay focused as the turnaround to the next game would be short, as at 3:00 the next afternoon, they host the Interlake Lightning.
Oct 24/15 vs Interlake Lightning
On a beautiful, late October Saturday afternoon, the newest MFMHL team, the Interlake Lightning, stopped by the Access Event Centre in Morden for a 3:00 tilt versus the Pembina Valley Hawks. Riding high after a resounding win an evening earlier, the girls were hungry to continue their winning ways and keep the confidence growing. With the veteran presence of Ginny missing, still out of the line up with her lower body injury, and steady blue liner Chloe unavailable with an upper body injury, the coaching staff had to juggle some lines. Moving Mac Hutchinson up to forward, they decided to run with a four man D, keeping some forward lines intact. Picking up where they left off, the Hawks went to work early, again doing most of their damage in the first frame. Scoring four times in the first, the Hawks got one first period marker from Jenai, another two from Sage and one from Mackenzie M. Much like the previous game, the shots heavily favoured the home team with the Hawks throwing 21 shots at the Lightning net, while Taylor faced just six shots. In the second period, the two teams traded a goal apiece, with the Hawks' Lindsay Michiels getting the lone tally for the home squad. In the second, the Hawks managed only nine shots, while the visiting team matched their first period total of six. In the third period, the Hawks would pick up the scoring once again, with Chelsea getting her first of the afternoon, followed by Lindsay with her second of the game, and Sage completing her hat trick. Morden native, and Interlake forward, Erin Doherty would manage an early third period unassisted goal, but in the end it would be too much Hawks, with final score of 8-2. The final shots on goal would be 51-16, capping off another great team performance, and ending this weekend's action on another high note. The girls are off on Sunday, as they prepare next week to take on the always dangerous and fast skating Westman Wildcats on Friday Oct 30th in Hartney, MB. That game starts at 8:00 pm.
Oct 30/15 vs Westman Wildcats
On a beautiful Friday evening, the Hawks travelled to Hartney, MB for a late night tilt against the MFMHL's leading team, Westman Wildcats. Although the Wildcats had lost only two league games this season, both were in overtime, keeping them atop the league standings. From the first puck drop, the game would be a game of momentum. Both teams spent extended periods of time in the other's defending zones, but neither team would break under the pressure. The Hawks applied the early pressure hoping to capitalize on their opportunities, but two misses on wide open nets kept the game scoreless. The momentum would swing back late to the home side as a centering pass from behind the Hawks' net resulted in a broken play in front of Halle. A loose puck after a good save just eluded Halle's outstretched glove and the Wildcat forward jabbed at the puck sliding it into the open cage. That would be the only scoring in the first, as they headed to the dressing room down 1-0, but with many positives to work with. The shots favoured the home team 9-8. On the very first shift of the second period, it would be veteran forward Chelsea getting the Hawks on the board with a powerplay marker. There was a great clearing stop at the blue line by Jenai who threw it back on net. With Alyssa and Sage at the working to the goalie's right side, Chelsea came in and banged away at the loose puck and in doing so, slapped it into the back of the net at 19:31. Then, on her very next shift, Chelsea would tally the go-ahead marker at 17:28. This time it would be Megan who kept the puck in at the point and alertly shot it on net, where it got caught up in traffic. Alyssa picked up the loose puck, spun and fired it, deflecting it right in the high slot where Chelsea wasted no time wristing it on net. The puck deflected off the Wildcat defender's stick to the top blocker side corner of the net, past a helpless netminder. With two quick goals, the mood of the game changed dramatically. The optimism that Westman had quickly dissapated, forcing them to take certain chances. Some of these chances were quality scoring opportunities, but at every turn, Halle was up for the challenge. Westman utilized their speed and slick hands, but the Hawks wouldn't relent. The second would come to a close with the visitors up 2-1, clinging tightly to that one goal lead. The Hawks would be outshot 10-7 in that frame. Going into the third and final period, the girls knew that they would be up against a desperate squad, and that's exactly what they saw. The Hawks would be hemmed in their own zone for solid stretches at a time, but each time the girls would find a way to clear the zone and get some fresh legs out there. Halfway through the third frame, the Hawks would get the much needed insurance goal. With Sage down low and Abbey up at the blue line playing tic-tac-toe, Abbey saw an opening and whistled a low shot that was going strategically just wide of the net, where a waiting Hannah Petrie pulled her stick in deflecting the puck on net, through the goalie's five hole. This left the home team with only 10:28 left in the game to mount a comeback, but that would require solving Halle, which wasn't going to happen again on this night. Making some saves that seemed destined to go in, Halle completely stifled Westman who became increasingly desperate, trying to send the odd forward behind the Hawks defense. As the clock started to wind down, the Wildcats pulled their goaltender. Even with a late powerplay opportunity, the Wildcats couldn't mount enough offense. The 11- 5 shot differential for the home team displayed the desperation that the Hawks faced in the final frame, but the scoreboard showed the desired outcome with the Hawks handing the Wildcats their first regulation time loss this season. This was a big win for the Hawks who are looking to move up the MFMHL standings, facing one of the top teams in the league. Happy Halloween wishes from the Pembina Valley Hawks!!
A big congratulations goes out to Assitant Capitan, Chelsea Dearsley, who was just announced as the MFMHL Player of the Week. Congrats Chelly, you've earned it!
MFMHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Week 4 ending October 25, 2015 - Forward Chelsea Dearsley of the Pembina Valley Hawks has been selected as the Reebok -Selkirk Source for Sports Player of the Week. Dearsley who hails from Baldar was an offensive power scoring 4 goals and adding 3 assists in leading the Hawks to wins over Interlake and Norman. Dearsley who is an Assistant Captain for the Hawks is currently second in team scoring with 7 goals and 7 assists in 16 games played. A two time MFMHL champion and 2014 Manitoba Winter Games Gold Medalist Dearsley is an important leader on and off the ice for the Hawks.
