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What a Season Finale!
Hawks Bring Home the Bronze
December 30, 2008
It may not have been the colour they set out to win, but the Hawks brought home a medal from the 42nd Annual Hespeler Minor Hockey Olympics.
The Hawks opened the tournament against cross-town rival Hespeler Shamrocks and showed the rust from a six day Christmas layoff losing 3-0. The Hawks were out for redemption in game two against the East Gwillimbury Eagles, showing the scoring punch missing in the opening game with a 10-0 victory. Of note in this game along with the team's fifth shutout of the season, was the continued progress in the Hawks transition in their approach to offense from “grab and go” to puck movement, passing and teamwork. According to the official game sheet, of the 10 goals scored, 8 were credited with two assists and the remaining with one assist each. That’s 18 assists on the goals scored!
The Hawks next faced the Brampton Battalion and perhaps taking the opponents too lightly came out flat-footed and fell behind 2-0 early on. Less than a minute after tallying a goal of their own, the Hawks gave the Battalion their two goal lead back to end the first down 3-1. The Hawks started the second much stronger, took over the game but were unable to beat a hot Battalion goaltender in the middle frame. The Hawks continued to press overcoming some questionable penalty calls (and non-calls) finally closing the gap to 3-2 with just under four minutes to go. Needing just a tie to make it to the gold medal game the Hawks went all out but were unable to convert multiple glorious scoring chances generated from an awesome display of puck control and movement around the Battalion net.
In the Bronze medal game, the Hawks came out very determined and took a 3-0 first period lead. Three more in the second, a show of good sportsmanship and strong defence lead to the Hawks earning their sixth team shutout of the season and the Bronze medal in a 6-0 game. Congratulations Hawks!
Team Effort = Fourth Shut Out of Season
November 23, 2008
Building on the confidence of their hard earned tie in Woodstock on Saturday, the Hawks travelled to Sarnia to battle the improving Sting. The Hawks channeled their energy from the long drive and started strong for a change, carrying the balance of play but unable to break the scoreless tie at the end of one. The Hawks transitioned well, moved the puck and pressured the Sting until they were finally rewarded 1:27 into the second. They followed that up just over two minutes later with a short-handed marker to take the 2-0 lead.
The Hawks remained focused and disciplined as they fought through the close checking of the Sting, winning battles to, and passing the puck. Offensive pressure for four third period goals combined with strong defence, goaltending when it was needed, and back checking preserved the team’s fourth shut out this season. A three point weekend and five of the last six possible points have the Hawks moving up the standings with some momentum heading into the Guelph Power Play tournament. Good effort and results this weekend Hawks!
The Comeback Kids Are at it Again!
November 23, 2008
The Hawks took on one of the leagues top teams with the memory of the one-goal last minute loss to the Woodstock Navy Vets a month ago still fresh in their minds. In the opening few shifts the Hawks showed the rust of not playing a game in nine days, but eventually found their legs through the end-to-end action of the first. The opening period saw limited scoring chances and ended scoreless, with the Hawks unable to score on two breakaways stopped by classic Johnnie Bower poke checks by the Vets goaltender.
The Vets opened the scoring early in the second after a rebound squirted loose onto the stick of a wide-open Vet in the slot. A second Vet goal mid-way through the second left the Hawks down 2-0 to start the third.
The never-give-up character of this Hawks team would again show. The Hawks finally found a way around the poke check with their first goal just over two minutes into the third. The Hawks determination on defence and the long toe of their goaltender kept the difference at one as the Vets pressed for an insurance marker. With just over three minutes to go, the Hawks pulled even on a partial break away with a shot to the open side of the net with the Vet goalie again showing poke check. This one was a nail-biter down to the final buzzer but ended 2-2. Great third period comeback Hawks!
The Hardest Working Team in the League! (x 2)
October 26, 2008
The Hawks went into this weekend knowing they would be in tough. The competition had a combined league record of 9-1-2 won-loss-tied with 44 goals for and only 14 against. The plan was to work hard, check hard, and try to capitalize on offensive chances when they arise.
First up Saturday was the London Jr. Knights Gold. The Hawks had their usual slow start but battled hard when the Knights tried to penetrate the scoring areas to end the first tied 0-0. As the second period progressed the Hawks continued to battle and finally started to find their legs. After the Knights opened the scoring, the Hawks picked up their pace and responded with the next two goals to take the 2-1 lead. The teams traded chances until the Knights pulled even, and eventually ahead, late in the third. With their goalie on the bench the Hawks finished with a flurry of scoring chances but were unable to finish, falling just short of the tie.
The Hawks returned home Sunday to host the defending Novice Alliance Champion Stratford Warriors. The Hawks again knew they were up against a formidable opponent, and the plan was the same as Saturday, but this time have a strong start. The Hawks did just that. They skated stride for stride with a very smooth and polished Warriors team ending the first again tied 0-0. After two Stratford goals early in the second, the Hawks scored what may be their nicest goal to date starting with an outlet pass from the defense to the winger, and then a give and go leading to a breakaway deke. The Hawks tried to keep up with the stronger Warriors, but in the end they proved just too strong an opponent.
Hawks – you battled hard against two very strong teams this weekend and gave them all they could handle. At the conclusion of the games the opposing coaching staff of both opponents commented that we were “the hardest working team we have played all year”. Hard work in anything you do will always lead you to success – Keep up the great work Hawks!
The Cardiac Kids Strike Again
October 12, 2008
The script seems familiar for this year’s Hawks. Slow start, weather the storm, find their game in the second and go for it in the third. And enough excitement to drive those in the Hawks nest near heart attack.
The Kitchener Jr. Rangers came out passing, shooting and winning races to the puck, and were rewarded with the opening goal at 2:03. Kitchener continued to pressure for the most of the first, with the Hawks able to keep the score 1-0 with timely defence and goaltending.
The Hawks started to find their game with three strong shifts to close out the first and start the second, leading to the Hawks scoring the equalizer at 1:30. From that point on it was high tempo, hard and exciting two-way hockey for the next 23 minutes. Then with just under a minute to go the Hawks broke out of their zone pushing the puck deep into Kitchener’s zone. Two Hawks pounced towards a rebound in the high slot with the game winner scored with 0:37 on the clock! What a display of hard and exciting hockey from both teams.
So close…Another strong team effort
October 5, 2008
After learning that the Woodstock Navy Vets had upset the undefeated first place team on Friday night, the Hawks went into the game knowing that nothing less than a full team effort would be needed to compete. The Hawks were on their heels in the early going with the Navy Vets controlling the tempo and balance of play, opening the scoring at 9:19. As has been their trademark early in this season, the Hawks didn’t panic, settled down and dug a little deeper to find their game.
The second period saw the Vets and Hawks trade chances and goals ending 2-1 Woodstock. More of the same to start the third until the Hawks tallied two quick ones 35 seconds apart to take the 3-2 lead. The Vets responded just over a minute later to tie the game at three. Emotions started to run high as the Vets continued to crash the Hawks net at every opportunity, and a lack of calls meant the Hawks had to respond and protect their house. After end to end action and exchanges of scoring chances at both ends of the ice, the Vets put the game winner in with 1:26 to go. Hawks – you gave the new first placed team in our league everything they could handle – great effort!
Team Effort = Shutout
October 4, 2008
The goal going into the game versus Burlington Bulldogs was to further build on the strongest team effort of the season versus London Jr. Knights Green. Defence first, hard shift and off, move the puck were the strategies.
Both teams battled hard in the opening period with limited scoring chances. Midway through the second the Hawks opened the scoring on a perfectly executed breakout. The teams continued to battle to the buzzer with the period ending 1-0 Hawks.
The Hawks started the third with burst of energy scoring 22 seconds in. The Hawks continued to force the play and pressure the Bulldogs all over the ice, forcing turnovers and controlling the play. Insurance goals with 6 and 4 minutes to go gave the Hawks all the scoring they would need. A commitment to team defence by all players preserved the first full game shutout by a Hawk goalie of the season. Shutouts are credited to the goalie but earned by the team – Great job Hawks!
What A Comeback!!!
September 20, 2008
After showing some jitters in the season opener and falling down by two in the opening minutes of the game, the Hawks settled down and slowly started to regain the momentum. Pressuring the Sting players every time they had the puck, the Hawks hard work was rewarded with multiple scoring opportunities. The Sting goaltender showed he was up to the challenge turning away the Hawk scoring chances, leaving them only able to convert one chance and remain down 2-1 going into the third.
A Sting goal early in the third looked like it would be the back breaker.
Cue the comeback. The Hawks dug a little deeper, continued to pressure, shoot and rebound. With 9:03 to go, the Hawks made it a one goal game. With 4:32 to go, the Hawks pulled even at 3. The excitement continued until the Hawks scored the winner with 1:05 to go. What a comeback!
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2008/09 Cambridge Hawks Minor Atom 'A'
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