Feb 06, 2018 | Bryan Box | 1243 views
Novice White- January in Review
As the calendar changes to 2018, The Novice White Hawks are focused on getting better for a long Playoff run. The Hawks faced some familiar foes and some new ones in both League play and in the 10th Annual CUJO Tournament in January.
"So let me tell you how this is going to go……"
The White Hawks began January facing the Wolves from Waterloo as they continued their rivalry on the road. The game seemed to be one sided as far as penalties went as the Hawks were called on even the slightest infraction while the home team was undeterred. Thankfully the Hawks PK was up to the challenge holding the Wolves to 3 for 10 on the power play but penalties prevented the offence from getting going. Waterloo took the game 5-3.
The next day the Hawks returned home for a matinee affair against Hamilton. The Hawks fresh off a loss came out with a great forecheck but the Huskies played tough with both teams trading scores in the first. The Hawks increased the pressure in the second and caught Hamilton flat footed which lead them to take some undisciplined penalties and eventually giving up the go ahead goal as the Hawks cruised to a 8-1 victory.
It was time for a rematch with Waterloo, this time at home. The Hawks were eager to show that the earlier loss was not acceptable and came out flying. Both teams traded chances in the first and second in this back and forth affair. In the third the Hawks scored early and added what was thought too be an insurance marker which turned out to be the game winner as the Wolves pressed late to equalize. The Hawks held on to win 4-3.
The Hawks then travelled down HWY 24 to face the first place Brantford 3 with their aggressive forecheck in tow. The game started as the coaches discussed and the forecheck caused great difficulty for the 99ers, the Hawks answered back when the home team scored and remained all square after one. This might have worried the coaches of the home team as they started the second with a loaded up power line. The 99ers quickly jumped out too a three goal lead as the second ended. The Hawks kept working and got the game within two but were unable to get any closer and fell 6-2.
As the White Hawks reached the mid point of the month, they took their game on the road to face 32 of the top teams in the province at the 10th (and possibly final) Annual CUJO Invitational in Newmarket.
The Hawks faced the Bradford Bulldogs in game one and they brought their forecheck with them. The Bulldogs had no answer and fell 7-2 to the Hawks, led by Player of the Games (POG) Beacock with a hat trick.
The afternoon affair matched the Hawks up with one of the top teams in the province, the Duffield Devils. A couple of bounces early could have changed the flow of the game but the Hawks were no match and were down 6-0 early in the first. Leading the way with his solid play of POG Manfini, the Hawks tried to get the game close but the Devils were too strong winning 17-1.
Day two had the Hawks facing a strong team from Vaughan. Lead by two goals by POG Gillies, this back and forth affair found the Hawks on the short end of the scoreboard falling 5-3. Game two proved to be a game that the Hawks would soon forget. The Hawks faced a team from Aurora and one team forgot to show up at puck drop. Although the Hawks showed some good signs as the game went on, the slow start was too much to overcome and even a spark from POG Deeb, couldn't get the Hawks rolling as they fell 7-1.
With the loss the Hawks would face a strong team from Niagara Falls the following morning in the Bronze Consolation Final. Lead by goalie and POG Brown, The Hawks returned to their winning ways with great discipline, a fierce forecheck, timely scoring and some great saves to capture the trophy. The Hawks were Bronze Consolation Champions with a 4-1 victory.
Coming off the high of the Championship the Hawks returned to the playoff run facing Burlington at home. The high intensity forecheck was on full display along with great team play and balance scoring the Hawks although unable to preserve the shut out late, cruised to a 10-1 victory.
The Hawks Schedule ended the month again down HWY 24 but this time to face Brantford 2 for the first time. The Hawks were very sluggish to start and gave ups couple "soft ones" which seemed to be too much to overcome and eventually they fell 5-3.
The Novice White Hawks continue to be a top team in Tier 3 as they have developed throughout the month and year so far. It is fair to say that for this first time travel hockey team, it has been "a life changing experience" not only for the players, but the coaches and parents as well.
The players and coaches would also like to thanks our parents, extended families and fans for always supporting us and making every game a home game for us!
We are Black, We are White, We are Dynamite!! GO HAWKS GO!