The busy playoff schedule continued
on January 11th with a Southern Counties match-up at home against
Paris. The opening period remained
scoreless until the visitors scored with just 25 seconds on the clock.
Hagersville came back to tie early in the second as Winn Cooper worked the puck at the boards and got it to Brody Smith behind the net who passed out front to Braden Bond for the shot. The tie was short lived as Paris regained the lead scoring a total of three in the frame.
Early in the third, a big shot from Cole Logan gave Travis Phibbs a rebound to push into the net but that is as close at the Hawks would get in the 4-2 loss.
Wednesday, January 13th was game three of the OMHA series in Burford. Hagersville was solid in the first, generating offensive chances with plenty of shots. Burford was also on their game creating pressure through the period. The home team was the first to score with two goals in the opening minutes of the second. A smart pass by Brett Russell gave Logan Ashworth the opportunity to skate in a cut the lead with what would be Hagersville’s only goal of the game.
After a few days off and some fine tuning, the Hawks were at home on Sunday, January 17th for a critical game four against Burford. From the opening shift, it was clear that Hagersville was in it to win it with lots of scoring chances and strong defending. The home team lit up the board in the final minute as the puck got to Brody Smith whose shot sent the puck past the goalie.
The Hawks continued to control in the second with great passing and some strong set-ups. This was demonstrated as Logan Ashworth and Tucker Awalt worked together in the offensive zone with Logan netting the goal short-handed.
The third period was full of excitement, intensity and a little anxiety as Hagersville added to the lead with a goal from Braden Bond. Burford came to life seconds later to score then took advantage of a power play to cut the lead to one. The heart breaker came as the visitors scored with just 16 seconds left to force overtime.
That was the wake-up call Hagersville needed as they were back in form for the extra period, starting with a solid penalty kill. The team worked so well together and gave it all they had. With less than two minutes to go, Cole Campbell made a shot for the net and Travis Phibbs was in place to tip it in to finish the job. Congratulations to all the players for never giving in and to Jordan LaForme who’s been extra busy between the pipes to keep the Hawks in every game. The fans got their money’s worth in this hard earned win which was one of the Bantam’s best games.