Jan 08, 2017 | Jen Fletcher | 216 views
One Step Behind
The Hawks faced the Waterloo Wolves Black on Saturday afternoon in their last game of what Alliance classifies as the regular season. The Hawks last game was on December 28th and it showed as the Hawks seemed to be a step late getting to all loose pucks.
The Hawks drew first blood halfway through the first with a goal from Ben McGowan. Andrew Quarrie had gotten the puck out front and took a hard shot at the goalie's pads. The rebound went right to McGowan who was also crashing the net, and he pounded it in. Unfortunately the Wolves answered three minutes later with a one-timer goal from a Wolf who was left all alone out front.
The second and third periods saw a lot of pressure by the Wolves and a lot of shots on net. The Wolves took the 2-1 lead in the second when a tip, once again from a lone Wolf out front, went past goalie Blake Fletcher. The score would end in a 2-1 loss, as the Hawks were just unable to get enough shots to the net.
Justin Vandervelde and Lucas Sousa both had some great cross-ice passes this game, but the Hawks were unable to convert. While Quintin Douglas was able to break free on a breakaway, only to slightly miss the net.
Ryan Silva and Parker Campbell both laid their bodies on the line to block shots and both were seen liming to the bench. Luckily, both were able to return to the game as the Hawks were already down one defenceman as Michael McIntyre removed himself from the game after the first period due to illness.
The third period saw a scoring chance for the Hawks when defenceman Nathan Lahey took matters into his own hands and brought the puck up the ice before passing it off to Nevin Noble just inside the Wolves' blue line. Lahey then raced back on defence as the Wolves quickly turned the play around.
Goalie Blake Fletcher's moves were on display this game. Interestingly enough, they were his dance moves while waiting for puck drops. This writer heard from a couple of birdies that the parents along the glass were getting quite a show of Fletcher's booty shaking.
The Hawks will have a week off before they will have to be game ready with back-to-back away games next week. These next 12 games for the Hawks will determine their playoff spot, and the Hawks will have to work hard and really want it if they plan on finishing in first place in their tier.
Let's do this Hawks!