Oct 26, 2025 | Winterhawks News | 4 views
Winterhawks Win Two
The Saugeen Shores Winterhawks picked up a pair of wins to cap off a successful October.
The Winterhawks kicked things off with a 5-3 win over the visiting Georgian Bay Applekings on Friday night at The Plex.
It was perhaps the smallest crowd in Winterhawks history, yet with the Toronto Blue Jays playing in the World Series at the same time, the crowd that did come out far exceeded expectations and was much appreciated.
The referees on this night understood the assignment and thoroughly buried the whistles so the two teams and fans could catch the end of the ball game, letting the clock tick down as quickly as possible with a penalty-free game.
Georgian Bay jumped out to a 1-0 lead early on a turnover in the Winterhawks zone, but the 'Hawks responded in a big way, first Andy Mitchell evening the score at 1-1 from Mike Fiegehen and Logan Freiburger.
Luke Pither put the Hawks ahead 2-1 from Rob Flick and Justin Marlowe, then Brent MacDermid found the twine from Justin Donnelly and Miles MacLean late in the first to give the 'Hawks a 3-1 lead after one.
Pither put the 'Hawks up 4-1 on a beautiful passing play from Flick and Marlowe, banging a tap-in past the Georgian Bay goalie.
The Applekings responded with two before the end of the second to make it a 4-3 game heading to the third period.
The Winterhawks gave Georgian Bay no oxygen in the third, dominating the play but unable to score until the goalie was pulled when Fiegehen put it away with 1:57 remaining to make it a 5-3 win for the home side.
On Saturday, the 'Hawks travelled to Kincardine to take on the Ripley Wolves as part of Hockey Day in Kincardine.
This one was a much chippier affair as the two Bruce County rivals got reacquainted, with the 'Hawks putting forth their best effort of the season, defeating the Wolves 5-2.
Ripley got on the board off a point shot just over two minutes into the game, the 'Hawks answering back as the trio of Marlowe, Flick and Pither again connected, this time it was Marlowe burying the puck to make it a 1-1 game.
Some controversy followed as Mitchell drove the net and banged in the puck in the crease. Initially waved off, the officials gathered and ruled it a goal, to give the Winterhawks a 2-1 lead, Keegan Angel picking up an assist.
Pither put the 'Hawks up 3-1 on a brilliant shot from the right circle, with Flick and Angel assisting.
Ripley got one back in the second in a period they controlled, but 'Hawks netminder Clayton Fritsch was excellent yet again, keep the Wolves to just one goal in the middle frame.
Winterhawks rookie Spencer Sutter put them ahead 4-2 midway through the third period when the 'Hawks picked up a 3-on-1 rush.
The initial rush was stopped but Sutter buried the puck on the ensuing goal mouth scramble to put the 'Hawks up by two, with Trevor Donaldson and Cam Lightfoot picking up an assist.
Ripley pushed to get back in the game as the clock ticked down, picking up a two-on-one rush with two minutes remaining.
What looked like a sure goal was turned away by Fritsch making an unbelievable save to keep the score at 4-2.
Fiegehen added his second empty netter in as many nights to give the 'Hawks a 5-2 win in enemy territory.
The two wins gives the Winterhawks a 3-1-1 record on the season, sitting in second place in the Ontario Elite Hockey League's North Division.
A big game lurks next weekend, as they'll travel to Durham to face the first place Thundercats on Saturday night, November 1st, with a 7:30 p.m. puck drop.