Dec 05, 2018 | GeoffRead | 260 views
Hodgins Returns but Poor Second Period Sinks Hawks
Power forward Matt Hodgins returned to the team Sunday night, but even so the Hawks' poor play in the second period cost them the game as they fell 3-2 to North London Nationals #17. It was a game where the Nationals generally outhustled the Hawks with predictable results on the scoreboard.
Hodgins had been out since early in the season with what NHL teams euphemistically call "an upper body injury." Cleared to play by the team's medical staff following the CHL's concussion protocol, Hodgins' return should have provided a boost to the team. Unfortunately, that proved not to be the case. Perhaps, this was one of those situations where a star player comes back and everyone else thinks they can stop trying so hard because the returnee will carry the load? Whatever the explanation was, the Hawks did not have a lot of zip to their game in this one.
The game started poorly when right off the first shift the Nationals took the play to the Hawks hemming them in their own end. Some superb play by goaltender Zach Read kept the Nationals off the scoreboard and the Hawks' prolific offence seemed poised to bail them out when they scored two quick goals a minute or two later off the sticks of #9 and Cole Chick. Chick's goal was particularly nice as Nathan Senese chipped the puck to Matt DiCicco on the breakout and the big centreman lumbered up the side boards, took the Nationals' defender wide, and then threw a picture perfect pass across to a hard-charing Chick who deposited the disc into the back of the net.
The Hawks seemed to be on their way. But from that point on, the Nationals showed great resolve and slowly but surely took back control of the game. Before the end of the first frame they had narrowed the lead to 2-1 and in the second period they dominated, peppering the Hawks' net with shots. Indeed, the 3-2 score for the Nationals by the end of the second flattered the Hawks. It could have been worse.
At about the middle of the third period, the Hawks started to play with more conviction, but couldn't find a way to beat the Nationals' goalie. It was a classic case of too little too late.
There were some good individual efforts in the game. Player of the game Brendan Walsh hustled hard up and down the right wing with #9 and Owen Worby, won most of his battles along the boards and went to the net for rebounds. He also earned an assist on the first goal.
Walsh's fellow defender cum forward Liam Stewart played right wing with Hodgins and Callum Knapp and also had a solid showing, not looking out of place. Unfortunately, Stewart did fan on a glorious chance to score but that's what happens when you put a defensive defenceman up front!
On defence, Pyper Baker had a particularly strong game and broke up several odd-man rushes. Noah Weber also looked zoned in although he was victimized by an unfortunate giveaway where he held on to the puck just a little too long. Still, he didn't let that one gaffe faze him and continued to play with confidence thereafter. Jacob Grover and Jack Churney also played solid games. The problem for the Hawks really was a lack of good team defensive play rather than individual poor play by the defencemen.
As for the returning Hodgins, he looked eager but fatigued as the game wore on. It will no doubt take him a week or two to find his footing and the Hawks will be the better for it when he does.
Go Hawks go!