Jan 04, 2015 | Craig McLaren | 694 views
2015 HAWKS Start Strong
After a looooong lay off the Atom MD HAWKS rewarded their fans with a strong effort against a tough team from Hamilton. Although the HAWKS dropped a 1-0 decision it turned out to be one of their best efforts of the season to date. So what's the change???
"Personally I think the boys are rising to the challenge" indicated Coach Craig. "We challenged to boys to play more consistent and had a team meeting indicating that things were about to change a little bit in the second half of the season...while it was only our first game back after the break and after the challenge I thought the boys played great today. Ask me 10 games from now if they rose to meet the challenge...the challenge being a consistent effort from everyone game in and game out. If 10 games from now I am as happy as I am right now then we can discuss how they rose to the challenge."
The Parkdale arena was the stage for easily one of the most entertaining games I have seen this season. The HAWKS met the Huskies stride for stride and did not let the gap between the two teams in the standings dictate the out come of the game. In fact one may say that the Huskies had to meet the HAWKS stride for stride as it was the HAWKS who set the tone today.
"We definitely had our chances today" cited Coach Dave Brown. "If Pimmy's shot is 2 inches to the right it doesn't hit the post and it's a goal. If Sous had of burried his breakaway it's a different game as well. I guess that's why Coach Craig has said right from the start of the season until now...if only are the two worst words in sports! That said we saw a lot of good things today and the boys need to learn to bring that same effort on Tuesday."
From the drop of the puck until the final buzzer the HAWKS wore their hearts on their sleeves and brought it every shift. There was no quit today. The HAWKS out shot the Huskies 24-18 but just couldn't find the back of the net.
"I was very impressed with our d-zone play today" said Coach Neil. I thought our D closed the gap much better today and in doing that it did not allow their speedy forwards the time and space to get going and carry the puck. We have been preaching that all year and the boys listened...this is what hockey is all about. A coach(s) provides a game plan and the players carry it out. It was nice to see the compete level today....the effort was there. Hopefully we can follow it up with the same effort on Tuesday and then again in the Peterborough tournament and then again when we get back to league play. A good hockey player is a consistent one. Some times hockey players struggle to have a good game but they should not struggle with their effort levels and that is the challenge to them."
"I think Coach Neil was bang on in his assessment and in his comments" replied Coach Craig. We have challenged the players for the new year and that challenge is to give an honest effort every game and every practice. I honestly feel that if the boys CHOOSE to take us up on the challenge that they will see the benefits. They will feel good about themselves after the game and they will also see some results on the scoreboard. Lets be honest, that was a great team we played today from Hamilton and I honestly felt we were the better team today...would I say it if i didn't mean it? Not at all. It is really about the players and the choices they make. They choose whether they battle hard on the boards, they choose whether they dump the puck in and get after it, they choose whether to keep their heads on a swivel in front of our net and they choose how hard they work and listen. If they make good choices we will be a very tough team to play against in the second half of the season. I thought a number of players had great games today...Kowie has been working real hard and is seeing results, Paps played much bigger today and did a lot of good things. I thought all 3 lines played hard. Maccer's line had some great chances and all three of them worked their butts off. Pimmy picked up where he left off before the break as he worked hard each and every shift. I think with Maccer starting to carry the puck a little more that line can be or was pretty dangerous today. Shaughny continued to play well at both ends of the ice and we saw The Rock creating some chances using his size and speed...it just opens up the ice for Shaughny and Browny when The Rock is playing like that. If Browny is moving his feet he will get those chances and the kid can put the puck in the net so hopefully he continues to to see the benefits of moving his feet each and every shift. Sous' line played real well also. Fraze was his usual self skating hard both ways and Sous had some great chances. Paps adds so much to that line when he battles hard and gets pucks out or moves it up to create offensive opportunities. I thought our D played great today as well. We held that team to 18 shots so they had to be doing something right. It was nice to see Toughie and Hank moving the puck today at the right times. They didn't hold onto it too long and they moved at the right time. I thought both those guys played a good physical game as well...minus a late penalty. Kitts was his usual steady self as was Panny who continues to play consistent, good hockey in both ends of the ice. I thought both players played well offensively and defensively. Lloyder played with confidence today and when he does that he adds so much to our d-corps. C-Mo was top shelf again today. I honestly feel that he is one of the most improved players and I really think it's because he listens to the coaches and he gives it 110% every shift. Then we get to Hammer Time...can't say enough about him today. He made some key saves and gave us a chance to win the game which is all we can ask from him. Rosie was obviously the best back up today and I am looking forward to seeing him perform on Tuesday. That said, after a game like that today I am looking forward to seeing them all perform on Tuesday!"
There ya have it folks! Again, at the start of this season I indicated that this team could do something special but as Coach Craig put it, it's whether the players CHOOSE to make it a special year or not. Let's hope for their sake and the sake of the fans, the parents, family and friends that they make the right choice as I guarantee the players they will have a lot more fun competing game in and game out when the effort level is as high as it was today. I will also guarantee they will do some special things as far as the standings go. Fingers crossed! Can't wait for Tuesday!!!
(HSN from the HAWKS nest)
HAWKS Chirps
- Looks like another sort of competition is on!! Who has the coolest bag?? Clinton Desousa and his Frozen bag vs John Rudy Papalia and his 1st aid Fanny pack! Send your votes!!!
- WAIT! Blow the whistle!! Stop the play!!! Coach Neil`s tooth fell out and is sliding across the ice!! Must have been an intense game back there Fewie! LOL!!!
- FYI - stay clear of a silver Honda Pilot on the road ways! Wow!!
- Most creative way to get out of tying skates...steal your son`s Christmas gift and put the fake "blood" stained band-aid with the fake nail going through it on your finger and tell them you are injured and in pain.
- WAIT! Blow the whistle!! Stop the play!!! Oh sorry, it's just Nelson.
- Guitar? Karaoke? be interesting to see whats in store for Peterborough!!!