Jan 05, 2025 | Winterhawks News | 436 views
Ripley Halts 'Hawks Winning Streak
The Saugeen Shores Winterhawks six-game winning streak came to an end on Friday night at The Plex at the hands of the undefeated Ripley Wolves.
The Winterhawks battled all night with the Wolves, but in the end, couldn't keep pace with the powerful Ripley offence.
A crowd of more than 800 people jammed The Plex on Front Line Workers Night, with game sponsor Vanderwerf's Your Independent Grocer covering admission for all front line workers after another busy holiday season spent serving our community.
Mary Campbell of the Saugeen Shores Fire Department, along with Ryan Lamont of Vanderwerf's Your Independent Grocer took part in the ceremonial opening faceoff. Luke Pither, a full-time firefighter with the Oshawa Fire Service, took the faceoff for the Winterhawks, along with Ripley captain Garrett Meurs.
The Winterhawks jumped out to a 1-0 lead just past the midway point of the first period when Andy Mitchell jumped on a fortunate bounce for the Winterhawks, when a Ripley clearing attempt clanked off a glass stanchion and took a hard left turn, right in front of the net to Mitchell, who was all alone.
Mitchell's team-leading 12th goal of the season was assisted by Mike Fiegehen and Trent Hawke.
Ripley got it back before the period ended and it was a 1-1 game after one period.
The Winterhawks got off to a slow start in the second period and the Wolves made them pay, jumping ahead 2-1 just 1:10 into the middle frame.
Things got a little testy between the Bruce County rivals from there, and it resulted in some power play time for the Wolves.
The Winterhawks killed off the first penalty before getting called for a hook. During that penalty kill, the Ripley player in front knocked down Winterhawks goalie Clayton Fritsch, which drew a retaliatory cross check from the Winterhawks defender. Only the retaliation was called on the play, putting Ripley on a long 5-on-3 advantage.
The Wolves needed only 36-seconds on the two-man advantage to take a 3-1 lead.
Ripley finally got called for a penalty late in the second period and Winterhawks captain Miles MacLean made them pay, stepping out from behind the net and outwaiting Ripley netminder Jason Hamilton, putting the puck under his pad for the power play goal.
Justin Donnelly and Luke Pither assisted on the goal that made it 3-2.
The good vibes were short lived as Ripley caught another break just 24-seconds later when the Winterhawks defender was hooked off the puck, allowing the Wolves to steal the puck and put it in front to restore their two-goal lead.
Ripley went up 5-2 by the end of the second period after forcing a turnover and going the other way for the goal.
The Wolves added another early in the third off the rush, before Mike Johnstone tallied his first goal of his injury-shortened season when he deflected in Matt Smallman's point shot, with James McHaig also assisting to make it a 6-3 final for Ripley.
The Winterhawks will be off next weekend, returning to the ice at the Southampton Coliseum for their regular season home finale on Friday January 17th when they host the Lucknow Lancers at 8:30 p.m., sponsored by BJS Electric.
Keep an eye out for an announcement regarding a special guest anthem singer for that game.
Winterhawks Set Playoff Roster: The Winterhawks have set their 28-player roster ahead of the Ontario Elite Hockey League's playoff roster freeze.
As a result, the team has released goalie Tyler Jackman, as well as forward Brock Perry, who will miss the remainder of the season due to injury.
Also not on the playoff roster is defenceman Trevor Smith. We are greatly appreciative of our former captain, who came out of retirement to help the club when it was besieged by injuries on the blue line. Thank you for everything you've done for the Winterhawks over the past 14 seasons, Trevor!