Nov 11, 2023 | Winterhawks News | 358 views
Hawks Grind Out Win Over Seaforth
Fortunately for the Saugeen Shores Winterhawks, there are no style points in hockey.
The Winterhawks grinded out a 4-2 victory over the Seaforth Centenaires on Friday night at The Plex, taking a valuable two points in the standings.
Before the game started, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 340 (Port Elgin) colour party took part in a pregame ceremony to recognize Remembrance Day this weekend.
Afghanistan veteran Mike Hobson was on hand to drop the puck for the ceremonial opening face off.
The two talented teams were wary of opening up the play too much early on, and defensive prowess more or less stymied offensive chances until late in the period.
The Winterhawks turned aside a late Seaforth power play and as the penalty was ending, Chad Jones cleared the puck out of the Winterhawks zone as Dan Zweep exited the penalty box.
Zweep was in alone on Seaforth netminder Tyler Parr, snapping a shot past Parr with 3.6 seconds left in the period to give the Winterhawks a 1-0 lead after one.
The Winterhawks added to the score immediately in the second period, dumping the puck into the Seaforth zone.
Matt Shields picked up the puck along the boards and fired a quick shot that caught Parr off guard, making it 2-0 Winterhawks just 12 seconds into the middle frame.
Keegan Angel and Miles MacLean picked up assists on the goal.
The Winterhawks found themselves in significant penalty trouble immediately following the goal.
A double-minor was followed by a slashing call that put the Winterhawks on a full two-minute 5-on-3 disadvantage.
Seaforth scored immediately to draw within one, allowing the Centenaires to stay on a full two-minute 5-on-3.
The hatches were battened down from there, as Jeff Flagler made several huge saves in the Winterhawks net to keep his team on top.
The Winterhawks killed off the penalties, and then two more minors in the second period to keep the score 2-1 after two periods.
Flagler was called upon early in the 3rd period, and he again answered the bell and made big saves to keep the Winterhawks on top.
Seaforth was whistled for a penalty a few minutes later, sending the Winterhawks to the power play.
Curtis Johnston made it 3-1 Winterhawks with the man-advantage, after Justin Donnelly got the puck down low to Andy Fracz, who made a nice pass in front to Johnston, who beat Parr on the far side.
Seaforth got it back with seven minutes remaining in regulation to make it a 3-2 game, but that was as close as they got.
Flagler made several huge saves late, and Andy Mitchell sealed the win with an empty net goal to give the Winterhawks the 4-2 victory.
Flagler made 35 saves in the Winterhawks net to pick up the win and Wismer House Player of the Game honours.
The win gives the Winterhawks a 5-2-0 record and a share of first place in the OEHL standings heading into a busy weekend.
The Winterhawks will be heading out on a Kristen's Pharmacy Road Trip on Saturday, taking on the Erin Outlaws.
Game time is 7:30 p.m.