The
Hagersville Bantam Rep Hawks finished off the first part of their season by
travelling to Collingwood to participate in the International Silver Stick, at
Wasaga Beach, from December 18th – 20th. Their first match up was against the Stayner Cyclones,
early Friday morning, in one of the coldest arenas this writer has experienced.
The Hawks came out looking fairly certain of themselves in the first but unfortunately Stayner put the first point on the board, followed by two more. Jordan Laforme played a great game between the pipes but the Hawks found themselves working short for most of this game as penalties seemed to be an issue. The team found the board once before the end of the third ending with a 3-1 score. The goal scored by Win Cooper.
The second match up of the tournament for the Hawks was scheduled later the same day against the Muskoka Rock. The players came out with a renewed unison and seemed to play more closely as a team. The first period saw two goals from Hagersville’s side, the first from Brett Russell that was high in the slot as Logan Ashworth and Tucker Awalt worked the puck out front to him. The second goal in this frame was moments later by Travis Phibbs, off the face off, when he won the draw and traveled down the ice, unassisted.
The second period continued to be productive for the Hawks as they scored 4 more goals for their side. Two from Logan Ashworth, the first assisted by Awalt and Russell and the second unassisted off his own rebound, one from Cole Logan when Cole Campbell sent the puck from inside back to Logan who took his shot sailing past all the Muskoka players for his team. The last and final goal for this game was scored by Brody Smith, assisted by Braden Bond and Kalvin Logan. It was great to see the passing and teamwork that transpired this game and although Muskoka did manage one point for their side all the Hawks played well together and Laforme again had a great game.
On Saturday the Hawks found themselves needing a win to move any further in their pursuit. The team was scheduled to play West Grey who also needed a win or tie to move any further. A terrific game was played by both teams, but it was West Grey who came out victorious this round scoring in both the first and second. Early in the third, Tucker Awalt was able to find one for his team assisted by Ashworth and Russell but unfortunately the Hawks ran out of time and the buzzer sounded with a 2-1 lead for West Grey. Great effort Hawks you gave it a good try.