Feb 05, 2017 | Jason | 868 views
Battle for supremacy
On a rare Sunday afternoon game, the Hawks heading out to Oshweken to take on a powerful Six Nations squad for first place at this early juncture of the Southern County playoffs.
After a few games were the Hawks weren't able to find their A game, they had a few days off with some hard fast practices in between with the hopes that it will help them find their legs.
Right off the opening face-off the Hawks knew they were going to have to match the aggressiveness of the Six Nations squad and have a full team effort. In a very fast paced opening period Austin Topp was forced to shutdown the Six nations squad as they swarmed the end. Topp weathered the storm and the Hawks answered with some chances of their own. As the period started to wind down, Six Nations got into penalty trouble and the Hawks found themselves on a 5 on 3 powerplay, that Zach Bezemer was able to use his patience and slick hands and from in close was able to lift a backhand into the net to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead. Braeden Heeg and Hayley Howarth picked up the assists on the goal. The penalty problems didn't end for either team as it seemed to be the theme of the game with players from one side or the other in the penalty box. With a little 4 on 4 to end the period Topp made a great glove save to maintain a 1-0 lead going into the 2nd period.
The 2nd period continued the fast aggressive pace from the first period, and it was Owen Doolittle who was able to stretch the Hawks lead to 2-0 with a terrific breakaway and extra effort goal that he deked the goalie on and slide it into the open net. Gavin Simington and Kaellum Meyer picked up the assists on the goal.
The 3rd period was a particularly physical period with the 2 teams combining for 22 minutes in penalties but the Hawks were able to match the intensity of the bigger Six Nations squad, and using a power play opportunity Carson Mitchell was able to make it a 3 goal game with a quick shot over the goalies shoulder to snuff out any chance for a Six Nations comeback. Heeg and Meyer picked up their 2nd assists of the game on the goal. All that was left for the Hawks was to preserve Topp his shutout and it was going to be a challenge as the Hawks picked up a late penalty. Fortunately Six nations answered that penalty with one of their own to make it 4 on 4. Six Nations was hanging all around the Hawks end and Topp was at his best grabbing anything that was anywhere near the net. Another penalty on the Hawks made it 4 on 3, but just like the last time Six Nations took another penalty to make it 3 on 3. With 9 seconds left, Six nations had one last attempt but Doolittle controlled the face off and Topp picked up the 3-0, 28 save shutout.
Great game Hawks.
Goals - Zach Bezemer, Owen Doolittle, Carson Mitchell
Assists - Braeden Heeg (2), Kaellum Meyer (2), Gavin Simington, Hayley Howarth
Next up is Wednesday night in Hagersville against Embro.