Recent Winnipeg Hawks News
Winnipeg Hawks capture the Bronze Medal at the Western Canada Bantam Championship in Kamloops, BC by defeating the host team, Thompson Blazers in overtime by a score of 3 - 2.
The Hawks had a 1 goal lead in the third period and the Blazers tied the game with 4 seconds remaining in the game to force the overtime. Nate Goodbrandson scored the winner 37 seconds into overtime to win it. Cole Plowman was solid in goal for the Hawks and was named player of the game.
Saturday Mar.17 @ East End CC
At the end of March, Winnipeg is all playoffs and a privilege if you are still in the mix. The Bantam 1 age group embarked on the next part of their journey on the way to competing at the Western Bantam Championship.
The Southwest Cougars took on the Winnipeg Hawks in a best of 3 games. The first game on Friday night was a barn burner, requiring extra time. The Hawks managed to emerge victorious with a 7-6 win in overtime, truly any teams game. The Cougars and Hawks were back and forth from start to finish.
The next day both team were back at East End Arena, the Hawks were in position to end it in two. The game delivered high-speed, hard hitting, emotionally charged hockey that kept the crowd on their feet. The first period was scoreless as both teams worked fast breaks through the neutral zone.
The Cougars played a great offensive upside, as well as a bone crushing physical game. The Hawks stayed true to their structure, taking hits to make the play, often stretching out their offense for the defense to send forwards on breaks at the blue line off the wall.
The emotions ran high and the penalties began to stack up for the Cougars, giving the Hawks scoring opportunity and time with puck possession, shifting the momentum. In the second period there were 6 goals in total, the Hawks leading the Cougars 4 to 2 heading into the third period.
The Southwest Cougars had a great work ethic all game. They made their case in the first half of the final frame, tying the game up 4-4. However, the Hawks managed to score 2 quick goals and revert back to shut down defense for the final minutes of the period. The Cougars had one last chance to make their case on a Power-play, but the Hawks finished strong with a 6-4 win and a ticket to the Western Canadian Bantam Championship.
The WCBC takes play in Kamloops, BC from March 29 – April 1st.
Friday Mar.9th - Notre Dame Arena
In the first period, the Hawks wasted little time putting points on the board. Connor Roulette led the charge with an assist from Nate Goodbrandson, which was answered by Sharks forward Branden Huminuk shortly after. The second half of the period was all Hawks, scoring 3 unanswered goals to take 4-1 lead.
When you look at a series that has a 4-0 sweep, the victory on paper does not portray the sacrifices made along the way. Finishing off a team is one of the most difficult things to do in hockey. The Sharks proved that in this game, scoring 3 more times to make an effort to catch the scoring powerhouse, but the Hawks had answers of their own from the depth in their line up. Heading into the third period the Hawks lead the Sharks 5-3 and when Sharks big man, Zack Davis, put a goal up in the third, the Hawks knew the title was not going to be given willingly.
Hawks forward Rory Neill answered back with the help of line mate Tyson Smith. This gave the Hawks a two-goal lead, proving to be enough to clinch the Championship title and head to Provincials this coming weekend. Congratulations to the Hawks players, coaching staff, and management!
