WarHawks had two home games this weekend and fans got to see some great hockey! Home crowd also got to enjoy winning prizes during all four intermissions as Paul Peterson was out interviewing fans.
Friday night the Moose made the trip to take on the boys on home ice. First period got going and the boys took a penalty about five minutes in which led to a power play goal by the Moose. Three minutes later, almost to the second, Wendorff wins a clean faceoff on the far dot. Stensrud rims the puck to behind the net where Mackedanz picks it up and passes out to Holtz up by the near side circle. Holz, being pressured, lets it fly and Carson Wendorff has a beautiful tip that leads to the boys first goal of the game to tie it up. Before the period ended, the Moose were able to sneak one in and regained the 1 goal lead.
Almost like it was a replay of the 1st, five minutes into the 2nd period the Moose score to take a 2 goal lead. The boys killed off two penalties and had one power play. Talking to Wendorff after the period, he was very happy with the way the boys played so far and said that if they kept pucks deep and got more shots on net that they would create more chances.
3rd period has been very good for the WarHawks as of late and the multiple come from behind pushes they’ve made. This Friday was reminiscent of last week’s game against the Moose with the Hawks having a late push in the 3rd. Last Friday, the boys scored 3 goals in the 3rd and tied it up with less than three minutes left. The Moose scored 2 goals in the first nine minutes making it seem like an insurmountable feat for the Hawks to come back from being down four goals. With five minutes left in the game, M. Jackson brings the puck into the offensive zone and shoots from the far side top of the circle. Toby Holtz joins the rush and finds himself behind both defenders, and is able to tap in a rebound to cut the lead to three. A few minutes later, Callaghan grabs an errant pass in the neutral zone and brings it in, skating the puck below the goal line. Callaghan passes the puck in front of the net and finds Gabe Adams who sneaks it in five hole to give the boys life. With two minutes left, Coach Payton pulls the goalie to try and force the game into overtime. After multiple chances and close calls, the boys fell short of accomplishing the tie. Jacob Brumm saved 16 of the 21 shots he saw with a 76% save percentage.
Saturday was a night to remember for multiple reasons. Right at the beginning of warm ups, one of the sheets of glass broke and the game was delayed 45 minutes creating an incredible anticipation from the crowd and both teams. Anytime the Hawks play the Blizzard, you know you’re going to get your money’s worth. Alex is a big physical team and Saturday night, the boys matched the physicality. Giving the fans a ton to cheer for.
The Blizzard got on the board eight minutes into the 1st period but also gave the Hawks three power plays. Unfortunately, the boys weren’t able to capitalize. The WarHawks out shot the Blizzard 14-6.
The 2nd period’s first ten minutes was filled with penalties from both teams. Things got a little heated if that wasn’t apparent considering the penalties. Right before the half way mark, Callaghan steals the puck in the neutral zone and brought the puck into the zone on the far side. Patiently waiting for help, Callaghan eventually centers the puck to Aiden Hogan who’s crashing the net. Hogan gets his stick out and puts the puck right over the tendy’s leg pad. Goal for the good guys. If you were wondering if the second half of the period mirrored the first half, you’d be right. The boys took two penalties and the Blizzard took three. Fortunately and unfortunately neither team was able to capitalize.
If you hadn’t guessed it by now, these two teams seem to have a little bit of animosity towards each other. Seven total penalties for the 3rd period. The tension built as every minute came off the clock. Is this going into overtime? Will one team get lucky? If you weren’t there, it’s hard to describe the incredible feeling in the rink. One of stress, hope, fear and excitement. The Blizzard go on a 4 on 3 with six minutes left in the third and are able to capitalize. Soul
crushing for the home team as the momentum clearly was on the Hawks side since the 2nd period. Sam Moen saw 32 shots, saving 30 with a 94% save percentage.
Boys are on the road to Blaine to take on the Moose this Saturday at Fogerty Arena. Next home game is Nov 1st! Get your tickets here:
