Friday night was a treat for fans who watched on NAHL TV or were at the first ever VFW WarHawks watch party. They got to see the boys score 8 times which isn’t usual in hockey. The game wasn’t without drama. To their credit, the Toros put up a fight, scoring 5 times as well. Definitely keeping the game interesting by taking an early 2 goal lead in the first period.
“Oh no!” was exclaimed at the watch party by a fan after the 2nd goal in the first 5 minutes of the opening period. The mood was not very hopeful in the room. But if you’re a hockey fan, you know there’s nothing more dangerous than a 2 goal lead and the WarHawks proved that scoring three unanswered goals in the remaining 15 minutes of the period. Wanka made a zone entry and shot high in the slot. There was a battle below the goal line which eventually popped out to the half wall. Aidan Callaghan (15)(Hinze 22) had a great forecheck that made the puck pop up high. Hinze was on the blue line, jumping up to grab the puck and shot it. Callaghan crashed the net and was rewarded for his effort, cleaning up the rebound for the WarHawks first goal. Owen Amon (1)(K. Jackson 2, Wheeler 6) got his first goal as a WarHawk off a beautiful forecheck by Wheeler, who knocked the puck loose and passed it low to K. Jackson. Jackson passed to Amon, high in the slot and beat the Toros tendy 2 hole, tying the game up. Gabriel Adams (13)(Irion 9, Vaculik 4) scored the game’s first power play goal off a rebound to give the boys their first lead in the game.
2nd period was much like the first, the lead went back and forth. The Toros scored in the first few minutes, tying the game back up. But don’t worry, that didn’t last very long. The Hawks returned to the lead just 2 minutes later. M. Jackson shot the puck, high in the slot, on a zone entry. Little puck luck and determination, Hayden Stensrud (3)(M. Jackson 5) crashed the left side of the net and snuck it in short side. You guessed right, the Toros tied it back up 6 minutes later on a rebound. Normally, a goal like that would give the momentum to the home team. Apparently, no one told the Hawks because the boys went on a 3 goal frenzy to end the period out. Woltman made a beautiful pass to Zane Irion (12)(Woltman 10) who faked forehand and shot back hand to get the boys back in the lead. Nathan Hinze (10)(Wendorff 10) wanted in on the fun by sneaking a backhand shot in 5 hole. Mason Wanka (15)(Irion 10, Hinze 23) hadn’t had his name called yet that game and made sure to get on the board with scoring right above the leg pad of the sliding goaltender.
Just like in the first two periods, the Toros score the period’s first goal and within a few minutes. It looked as though they had a little hope and were still in the fight. Thankfully, Josh Mack stood tall in net and Aidan Callaghan (16)(Hinze 24) finished the Toros off with an empty netter with a minute and 10 seconds left in the game.
Boys are back on the road this Friday to take on the Blizzard. The WarHawks shut out the Blizzard the last time they played at home. Two home games are coming up after this weekend as the boys take on the Peoria Mustangs. Saturday Feb 1st is Youth Hockey Night! All kids wearing their associations jersey get in free with a paid adult!
