Spent Hawks Get Feather’s Clipped In Finals - December 29th, 2013

The York West Hawks, appearing in their second final in as many tournaments, found themselves in a rematch against the Plaster Rock Panthers; who they had played to a tightly contested 5-4 win in the final game of regular tournament play. It was clear from the outset that both teams were showing the fatigue and wear of the tournament; neither mustering the same incredible level of play or intensity that was on display a mere day prior. Both team’s coaching staff were doing their best to encourage and urge on their players to victory. With tired legs all around, it was a back and forth defensive affair, with limited quality scoring chances for both teams, until Keaton MacPhee, while the Hawks were short-handed, won a draw clean in the Panthers’ offensive zone, and drilled home his second of the tournament with 5:43 remaining in the second. The celebration was to be short lived, however, as Plaster Rock’s Kyle Deleavey found the back of the Hawk’s net just 3-seconds after the Hawks had returned to full strength, but before Trent Haines could get back in the play to help defensively.

The game remained extremely tight, but with Plaster Rock coming on more and more as the game progressed. At 7:03 in the 3rd, Tristan DeMerchant, being driven wide by Jonathyn Oland-Simon, managed to get off a strong shot from the left side of the zone that eluded Justin Chronkite. The Hawks tried everything to get the equalizer, as they have done so many times before during this magical season, but while the hearts and minds were willing, the bodies were not. That signature push was not there, and Plaster Rock finally sealed their well-earned victory on a goal by Garret Goodine with a little over a minute to play in the game.

While not the result the Hawks were looking for coming in (there was no shortage of long faces, and even a few tears from the disappointment), the Hawks can hold their heads high, as their coaches were EXTREMELY proud of their effort. The players were all reminded afterwards that this was, after all, their first loss since November 18th! You can’t fully appreciate the sweet taste of victory unless you contrast it, on occasion, with the bitterness of defeat. And we can further thank our gracious Carleton hosts for not only supplying the Hawks with silver medals, but also a Runner Up banner to commemorate their weekend on ice accomplishments!

With two MVP selections in the Final, the first went to Austin Mills. Austin was unable to participate in the morning semi-final but, thankfully, made the trek to Florenceville for Finals, and his presence was noticed all over the ice. Austin was extremely strong in the defensive zone, and decisively using his heavy shot to clear the puck from harm’s way time and time again to keep the Hawks in it. The second selection went to Justin Chronkite, not for this game specifically, but for his STELLAR play throughout the tournament (he was our overall Tournament MVP). Without his solid performances, the Hawks would have had no chance to come as far as they did. Finally, the Hard Hat went to Keaton MacPhee who played in the finals despite becoming physically ill between the semis and the finals. He gutted it out, and managed to score the Hawks lone goal in the process!