HAGERSVILLE – The Hagersville Hawks came back from a 3-1 first period deficit to calm the Simcoe Storm with a final score of 7-4 this past Saturday night at the Hagersville Arena.
Simcoe got out of the blocks early, when Jamie Kelly got one past the Hawks’ netminder Curtis Dortenzio 20 seconds after the opening face-off. Jordan Tippetts assisted.
With an assist from Dakota Culbert, Tyler Arsenault added Simcoe’s second goal at 4:47. The Hawks got into the game at 5:10 with a goal from Bailey Fletcher.
Simcoe kept coming and were rewarded with Corson Searles’ 3-1 goal, which was assisted by Jamie Kelly at 14:12 to end the first period.
Things turned a little ugly late in the period as Hagersville’s Bailey Fletcher and Simcoe’s Riley Wilson were tossed for fighting, with one second remaining on the clock.
Hagersville broke out in the second period and carried the play, eventually evening the score with goals by Derek Friesen, assisted by Cole Martin and Nick Sherwood, and Mitch Green, who found twine with 5 second remaining. Friesen and Travis Bell assisted.
Green took the lead in the third period with a powerplay marker from Cole Martin at 3:16 to score his second goal of the game, but Simcoe’s Nick Gratton tied it at 4-4.
From that point on, it was all Hagersville as they poured in the Simcoe net, outshooting the Storm 12-4 in the period and 40-27 in the game, making Storm netminder Evan Wolfe the busiest man on the ice.
Two goals 15 seconds apart scored by Friesen and a new player, not specifically named on the official score sheet, plus another netted by Cole Martin two and a half minutes later crushed any hopes of a Simcoe comeback.
There were more extracurricular activities midway through the third period as Hawks’ Dylan Spurr and Simcoe’s Jackob Miller tangled and were ejected at the 8 minute mark.
The entire team played well, but Mitch Green was particularly outstanding, leading the Hag-hawks offense with two goals and an assist, with several good scoring chances along the way.
Their win pushed Hagersville past the .500 mark and to a 3-2 record for six points, two behind Glanbrook for third place. But they hold a one game advantage over Glanbrook and second place Dundas, and two games in hand over top seed Grimsby. They have a fine opportunity to make a move on the standings this week as they face both Grimsby and Dundas.
The Hag-hawks take the show on the road this Friday night as they travel to Grimsby to face the Peach Kings, returning home for a Saturday night matchup against the Dundas Blues. Game time is 7:30 pm.
