Mar 28, 2017 | Jen Fletcher | 1099 views
Curtain Call
The Minor Atom MD Hawks' season ended abruptly last Monday night in their third playoff game against the Brantford 99ers.
The arena was loud, the fans were packed in tight, there wasn't a seat to be found. It was a do or die game for the Hawks and they came to play! The Hawks all had more of a jump in their step this game. From the first puck drop, the Hawks controlled the game.
The Hawks struck first. Ben McGowan and Ryland MacPherson were digging and battling in the corner and got the puck over the Justin Vandervelde. Vandervelde pulled the wrap around and put the puck in. The Hawks were up 1-0!!!
The second period saw the 99ers wake up a bit and with just 11 seconds left in the period, Brantford tied it up.
It was down to the third period, and Brantford struck first. The Hawks were down but not out. With all hands on deck, the Hawks came back and Camden Schaefer rocketed a shot over the goalie's glove to tie the game.
With a five second overtime period, the Hawks had to score or their season was over. Despite trying their best, the hockey Gods weren't on their side and the Hawks were unable to get another goal and the game ended in a tie, giving Brantford their fourth point and the series win.
Every single Hawk laid it all on the ice and played their hearts out this game and this whole season. Lucas Sousa stayed wide and made good passes; Quintin Douglas created turnovers; Matthew Klassen held the line and got back quickly when needed; Michael McIntyre rocketed shots to the net; Andrew Quarrie put pressure on the puck and created turnovers; Nevin Noble cleared the puck through the zone; Nathan Lahey covered the front of the net; Liam Lapierre battled in the corners; Ryan Silva was winning face-offs; Parker Campbell was all over the ice blocking shots and moving the puck, Tyler Caswell was making perfect passes to get the puck out of the Hawks' end; Ben McGowan was forechecking hard; Justin Vandervelde was getting shots on net; Ryland MacPherson was crashing the net; Camden Schaefer was skating the puck deep; Blake Fletcher was cheering loud from the bench; and Reggie Gignac was once again stellar and made some simply amazing saves.
It was a heartbreaking end.