Jan 03, 2016 | GeoffRead | 243 views
Knapp Shines as Hawks Open 2016 on a Winning Note
Callum Knapp had an outstanding game, collecting player of the game honours for a good all around effort that including a pretty goal off a snap shot from his off-wing, as the Hawks rolled to a convincing 6-2 victory over Oakridge B4. Knapp also helped out in the defensive zone and made several nice passes to his linemates for the day, Owen Worby and Brendan Walsh.
The Hawks dominated this contest by playing a well-structured game and skating hard from start to finish. The forecheck was ferocious turning multiple pucks over in the Aeros' end. The hard-working forwards were helped out by the team defense of Pyper Baker, Noah Weber, Josh McCarvell, and Cody Michiels, which had an especially strong game pinching to keep the puck hemmed in the Aeros' zone, while backing each other up to prevent breakaways for Oakridge. McCarvell and Baker also contributed two assists a-piece, as Baker, in particular, made a couple of very nice stretch passes to streaking forwards.
Up front, Theo Enns continued his recent tear contributing a hat-trick as well as a very nice assist. Enns also helped out the team in the third period, moving back to defense without complaint while Baker played a period at left wing. Every forward got on the score sheet, as Owen Worby scored a goal off a beautiful deke, Jacob Bamford had a strong game with a goal and an assist, Matt Di Cicco got two assists, and Walsh picked up an assist on Knapp's goal. In net, Zach Read had a strong game despite some stomach troubles.
An interesting subplot to the game was Walsh's determined quest to get his first goal of the season. Walsh, normally a defender, got to play right wing in Owen Verberne's absence and fought hard for pucks all night. Thanks to his hard work and some nice set ups from Knapp and Worby Walsh had several chances to put a marker on the board, but he appears to have his father's hands as he hesitated too long on some occasions and fired wide on others. Still, with another game up front looming today, if Walsh can keep getting pucks on the net, he should break through.