Dec 15, 2016 | Jason | 302 views
What a nail - biter
Fresh off their Silver Stick championship, Tillsonburg was prepared to battle the weather and make their way down Highway 3 to try to stop the Hawks unbeaten streak of 19 to start the season.
While the message has been constant all year that the Hawks need to come out and be aggressive right from the opening face-off, the execution has been minimal and this game was no different as less than a minute into the game Tillsonburg stepped into the Hawks end and fired opening the first goal of the game of a quick 1-0 lead. Austin Topp shook off that opening goal and kept Tillsonburg at bay as they fired a few more good chances at the Hagersville net until the Hawks could find their legs. A penalty by Tillsonburg with under 3 minutes to go gave Hagersville that opportunity, and while the Hawks didn't score they kept Tillsonburg pinned in their own end for the whole time, and less than 30 seconds after the penalty expired the line of Owen Doolittle, Connor Mendes, and Justin Kerwin were rewarded with Kerwin pouncing on a loose puck during a scramble and tying the game. Owen and Connor picked up the assists on the goal.
Hoping to build off the momentum gained from the late tying goal in the first period, unfortunately the 2nd started the same as the first with a turnover by the Hawks leading to a quick Tillsonburg goal before the period was 2 minutes old. Less than 30 seconds later, Tillsonburg fed an outlet pass and the player walked in a fired it into the net for a 3-1 Tillsonburg lead. The message was clear that Tillsonburg was ready to play and that the Hawks would have to bring their 'A' game tonight, so Evan Sibbick took it amongst himself to swoop back into his end, pick up the puck and take it end to end and fire it thru the goalie to cut the lead to 3-2. As the period was starting to wind down with under 3 minutes to go in the period, Kerwin and Mendes came down on a 2 on 1, with Kerwin firing a hard shot at the net and Mendes right there to poke the rebound in and even the score at 3. With a brand new game now, both teams were flying and chances were had by all, but both goalies stood tall and turned everything away to send it to the 3rd period tied up.
In the 3rd it was fast paced, offensive hockey with both teams up to the task until the 7 minute mark when Zach Bezemer was rewarded for going to the net and giving the second effort after hitting the post, and was able to tuck it to give the Hawks their first lead of the game 4-3. Evan picked up the assist on the goal. The lead wouldn't last though as a little over a minute later after a defensive breakdown in which both defence went towards the corner and left the Tillsonburg player all alone in front and he made them pay as they tied it up 4-4. It was with the score tied at 4 and Tillsonburg coming on strong Austin Topp was forced to make his 2 biggest saves of the game (with a little assistance from Hayley Howarth on the first one). This gave the Hawks the spark they needed and Evan slide the pass over to Owen Doolittle for a breakaway opportunity and he made no mistake snapping it home before the goalie had a chance to move and just like that with under two minutes to go the Hawks had a chance to keep the streak alive. As the seconds ticked away on the clock and the net empty for Tillsonburg they had a couple of chances, but the Hawks defence stood tall and kept them clear from the net and the final buzzer sounded on an exciting game and a 5-4 Hawks victory.
Goals - Evan Sibbick, Connor Mendes, Justin Kerwin, Owen Doolittle, Zach Bezemer
Assists - Evan Sibbick (2), Justin Kerwin, Connor Mendes, Owen Doolittle
Player of the game - Owen Doolittle for his terrific defensive game with solid back-checking and constant pressure of the Tillsonburg star Captain. Offensively he contributed with a goal and an assist.
Next up Monday Dec 19th in Burford (exhibition game) with a chance on Wednesday Dec 21st against Ingersoll to close out an unbeaten regular season