After a thrilling 6-3 victory over the Woodstock Warriors in their semi-final, the Hawks watched as the FYHA Blackhawks fended off the Woodstock Ice Wolves 6-5 in overtime, and earned the right to join them in what was sure to be an epic dual for the Dave Cartwright Cup. It seemed ironically fitting that it was Super Bowl Sunday, and that the tournament final featured the Hawk’s stifling defense against the FYHA Blackhawks potent offense; both teams number one in those respective tournament categories, just like the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos who would take the stage in Super Bowl XLVIII a mere few hours after the Dave Cartwright Cup concluded.
Coming in, the Hawks understood the magnitude of the
challenge before them. The FYHA Blackhawks had scored 32 goals in their
previous four tournament contests, and featured a scoring machine in #7 Riley
Sandwith. Fortunately for the Hawks, a bit of rest (some Advil for an
ailing Will Shaw) and a light snack, seemed to have the team in a better state
physically for the challenge than what was witnessed for the Carleton finals.
It certainly also didn’t hurt that all hands were on deck. In the pre-game dressing
room speech, Coach MacPhee asked the players to close their eyes, remember back
to how they felt after that stinging defeat in Florenceville, and to use that
for motivation to carry them through to victory in their home tournament.
From the opening face-off, it was clear this was going to be
an clash to remember, and the FYHA Blackhawk’s Riley Sandwith took all of 3
minutes and 15 seconds to put the Hawks down for the first time in the
tournament after breaking free in the neutral zone, and placing a laser beam
of a wrist shot in the top right corner of the Hawks goal. The game would
go back and forth from that point until Duncan Christie, after foiling a
clearing attempt from Blackhawk zone, played give and go with Shane Fox, and
found himself alone in the high slot. Duncan would make no mistake; burying his
wrist shot over the outstretched glove of the Blackhawk goaltender Connor
Molyneaux.
Duncan’s goal lifted the Nackawic faithful to their feet and
brought thunderous applause that seemed to galvanize their Hawks and, in
particular her Captain Will Shaw who, just 19 seconds later, broke into the
Blackhawk zone, dangled around the defense and got just enough on his backhand
to elude the Blackhawk net minder.
With the Hawks up 2-1 after the 1st period, the
coaching staff urged on their players to keep their focus and play DETERMINED
hockey for the final two frames. They proceeded to pick up right where they
left off in the 1st, and this time it was Jonathyn Oland-Simon
who got into the offensive act following the play up ice to create a two on one
opportunity with Will Shaw. Will drew the Blackhawk defender to him, and fed a
beautiful touch pass right on Jonathyn’s stick. Jonathyn also made no mistake
on the opportunity presented, and fired a low hard shot just inside the right
post!
The Hawks had secured a two goal lead, going up 3-1, but no
lead is safe when you are up against the high flying Blackhawks. Less than a
minute later, Riley Sandwith found himself behind the Hawks defense, and buried
another top shelf goal over Justin Chronkite. Then, at 6:21 of the second, the
Blackhawks drew even when #14 Aiden Foster took advantage of a rare fall by
Duncan Christie at his own blue line. Aiden came into the right slot and lifted
a shot that just snuck past the glove of Justin Chronkite. GAME ON!
With the Hawks reeling a bit after squandering their 2 goal leader, Riley
Sandwith won the ensuing faceoff, beat the Hawks defenders at their blue line,
and walked straight in on Justin Chronkite who made a spectacular save to keep
the Hawks from going down a goal!
As the second period came to a close with everything knotted
at 3, the Hawks huddled at the bench. Just 12-minutes from a possible (and
rare) opportunity to claim the Dave Cartwright Cup as their own..”THIS IS WHY
WE DO THE TONGUE DRAGGERS” exclaimed the coaches. Time to empty those tanks for
a chance at glory! Those Hawks would not disappoint! To a man, they poured it
on in the third and were fierce in both the offensive and defensive ends of the
ice. Premium scoring chances came from the sticks of Shane Fox, Duncan
Christie, Keaton MacPhee, Will Shaw and Jonathyn Oland-Simon, but Connor
Molyneaux turned them all aside. Riley Sandwith then made two quality attempts
of his own to put the Blackhawks in the lead, but the Hawks defense pushed him
wide each time, and Justin Chronkite confidently turned aside those hard shots.
The teams continued their torrid pace; trading chance for chance until finally,
with 3:17 left to play, Duncan Christie forced a turnover at the Hawks blue
line that found its way onto Will Shaw’s stick in the neutral zone. Will poured
it on, pushing through into the Blackhawks zone and, while bearing down on
their defense, made a nifty move to slip the puck through one defender’s legs,
before sending his shot past Connor Molyneaux!
The Nackawic arena exploded, knowing their team was just
over 3 minutes from a possible Championship victory, but those Blackhawks were
not going down without a fight to the bitter end, and with two minutes left had
a glorious opportunity to even the game when Riley Sandwith and Aiden Foster
both found themselves alone in front of the Hawks net, and jammed desperately
away at the loose puck. As he had done all tournament long, however, Justin was
up to the task, and kept the Blackhawk stars at bay!
With frayed nerves throughout the bench and stands, and only
1:20 left to play, the Blackhawks called for a timeout, and gave the Hawks
players one last chance to huddle (and catch their collective breath) before
the final assault that was sure to come from their vaunted opponents. What
would unfold in that final moments of the game, however, was a thing of sheer
beauty to take in! Not only did the Blackhawks fail in their bid to tie the
game, but they couldn’t manage a single shot on Justin Chronkite, or even pull
their goalie for the extra attacker, because the Hawks took complete control of
the moment, gained the Blackhawk zone, and put on a fore checking clinic in the
final minute of play. Riley Sandwith and company chased frantically to gain
control and mount an attack, but were denied that bid at every turn as the
Hawks cycled the puck expertly through the offensive end until the final buzzer
declared them well-earned victors!
The MVP went to Will Shaw who scored two goals, including
the tournament winner, and added an assist for good measure; while the hard hat
was bestowed on Luke McLellan who skated his heart out; particularly so on the
back check throughout the game. Well done!
Ladies and Gentlemen…we proudly bring you your York
West Atom Hawks…Dave Cartwright Tournament Champions! Video highlights available here. Downloadable McGuigan Media photos of game also available here.
