Nov 29, 2014 | Craig McLaren | 485 views
Panny and Maccer Shine... HAWKS Fall Short
In the last 4 or 5 games Riley Panagapka has played a key role in the Hawks success. Unfortunately in his best game of the last 5 the Hawks lost a nail-biter to the Kitchener Rangers.
"We can beat that team. That's a 3rd place team and I know we can beat that team" head coach McLaren responded when asked his thoughts on the game. "I think our boys have come a long way to this point already this season and while we did lose that game one thing that we, the staff, the parents and most importantly - the players have to be pleased with is the consistency in their play. We competed again...our boys worked hard and we were two minutes away from keeping our unbeaten streak alive. I guess that only means we start another one tomorrow!!"
Another player who had a real strong game today was birthday boy Brady McLaren. "Maccer played a 200 foot game today. He was up and down at both ends of the ice and he was in the right position all game long" indicated Coach Fewster. "It seems as though our boys are feeding off one another as far as the effort levels go. One thing we have prided ourselves on this season is creating a TEAM atmosphere. It took us a while but I think in the last 4 or 5 games we have started to see some success. Our boys rely on each other and they also play for each other...if one guy is down or having a rough outing we see 16 others step up to help him out. Its so much fun to come to the rink right now to see these boys working hard and to see how much they have grown already as individual players and as a team as a whole. Am I happy we lost today? Absolutely not BUT what I am happy about is that 17 players are not happy about it either and they will be seriously PUMPED to get back to our winning ways tomorrow!"
Suffice it to say - there were a number of players who had strong games! When a team loses 1-0 to a teas in the top 3 of the standings it is pretty safe to say it was a total team effort. Danny Rose had a great game and was nice to see him back in the net after a scare with a banged up elbow. "Rosie was great today" coach Craig said with a big smile. "Hammer Time was awesome for us last weekend and Rosie stepped in after stint on the IR and played great! They all played great! Lloyder was strong again...C-Mo, Kitts, Tuffy all played great and it was nice to have Hank back on the blue line! Up front it was nice to have Fraze back in action and working hard. I think if he and Sous decide to use each other and Kowie continues to move the puck the way he has been it can make for a real effective line. Shaughny, The Rock and Browny all worked hard today. Paps did a great job playing his off wing today and played "big." I can't say enough about the way Pimmy has been playing lately either...just seems like he gets it now...every shift he has been very consistent."
Hard work says it all. These HAWKS are starting to see the benefits of hard work and are becoming a consistent hockey team...which is great for ALL of us to see. You can bet there's going to be a great bounce back game tomorrow afternoon in Preston! Hope you got your tickets early! Online sales indicate it's going to be another sell-out!
(HSN...from the HAWKS Nest)
HAWKS Chirps
- Rumour has it the HAWKS are doing extra chores at home to raise $20 each to put towards the Adopt-A-Family program this holiday season - JUST A GREAT GROUP OF KIDS!
- Today was the HAWKS' Applebee's Pancake fundraiser. All indications from the Fundraising Committee are that it was a HUGE success! Great job Dana and all the parents who played a key role! Whoaaa Nelly!!
- I hear through the grapevine Coach Craig won a 3 month gym membership AND was over the top excited that he has an expert trainer in none other than...Nelson! "What makes him an expert" you ask? When you are a member at 3 gyms across the city he's GOTTA be an expert!
- Hamilton residents are still looking for a certain black Hummer that was seen tearing up their lawns and cutting Santa Claus off in the parade last weekend!
- I hear the best way to win something in those types of draws that were held today at the fundraiser is to put one half of the ticket in the bag and KEEP the other half!!!
- Not only does Jo-Ann Hammer play the guitar at parent parties but I hear she is awesome on the spoons at Applebee's!!!
- Glad to see there wasn't another hockey Mom injury today!!!