Tri City Icehawks Defeat the Mountain Cats 4-1 As Eric Tien Returns
January 31, 2010
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Your Tri City Icehawks have returned to the Bay City Ice Arena. Having not played in Bay City since November 14, the Icehawks have been doing plenty of damage to other teams while on the road. In the two plus months on the road, the Icehawks have posted a 12-4-1 record climbing into a tie for third place in the Great Lakes Junior Hockey League standings. Sporting an 8 point lead over fifth place Wisconsin in the fight for home ice advantage, the Icehawks are poised to make a strong run at the Great Lakes Championship.
The League leading Mountain Cats have had Tri Cities' number going into Friday night's contest. Having defeated the Cats only once this year, the Icehawks were poised to deliver a strong message. While the game was billed as a showdown of two top teams, it soon took on a more meaningful tone.
As the starting lineups were announced, it was clear the game marked a special meaning for players on both sides. It marked the return of Eric Tien of the Icehawks. In November, Eric was diagnosed with cancer as several tumors were discovered in his body. Having immediately undergone aggressive treatment, this was the first time he was able to venture onto the competitive ice surface. In a show of sportsmanship and support, players from both teams wore Tien's number 93 on their helmets. If fact, players league wide are sporting 93 on their helmets. A classy reminder that no matter how fierce the competition, they still respect each other as competitors and friends.
The sobering moment didn't dampen the action on the ice. From the drop of the puck, fans were treated to top quality hockey action. Fast paced quick passing action prevailed with deadly shooting and even quicker goalie reactions provided non-stop action. Both teams blistered the nets with 13 shots each in the first period. It was the Icehawks leading scorer, Mitchell Wood, who finally dented the twine in the first period. Taking a feed from Caleb O'Brien and Eric Tien, the talented forward ripped one by Mountain Cat's Jacob Bono for a 1-0 first period lead.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Between periods was a very moving ceremony. As Icehawks owner, Art Dore Jr., explained, Eric Tien was selected to the GLJHL All-Star team. But due to his cancer treatment, he was unable to participate in the All-Star event in New York. So, all the All-Star players signed a jersey for Eric. Between periods, both teams came to their benches with the all-star representatives from each team presenting the framed jersey to Eric. The genuine appreciation and compassion displayed by all was inspiring.
The second period saw the intensity of the action increase. The Mountain Cats were determined to tie the game up as they controlled the puck and put on heavy pressure on Icehawks goalie Austin Willenborg. While rapid puck movement by the Cats opened up solid short range shots, Willenborg was equal to the task. The Icehawks defense was strong around the net eliminating second chances and clearing the puck to prevent rebound shots. While there were only two penalties called in the period, one on each team, the Icehawks took advantage of their lone power play. With 48 seconds left in the period and two seconds in the penalty, Mitchell Wood grabbed a rebound from teammate Adam Pieczynski's shot and knocked it in to put the Icehawks up 2-0 going into the third period.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Two and a half minutes into the third period, the Icehawks got a very crucial goal. Taking a pass from David Higgs, Dean Potila fired a shot from the slot that found a hole and the Icehawks appeared to be in commanding control of the game.
But just as soon as the Icehawks seemed to be in command, the penalties came. Back to back penalties to Alexander Truran and Seth Vandersypen put the Mountain Cats on a 5 on 3 advantage. Quick precision passing pulled the Icehawks goalie to one side as Cameron Birrell found David Pierce on the other side for a nice open net goal narrowing the margin to 3-1. But this was a special night and an important game that the Icehawks were not going to let get away. Rising to the occasion, the Icehawks weathered the storm and when Joe Lampman top shelfed a rebound with 4:32 left to play, the game was in hand.
A very evenly played game, both netminders were outstanding. Icehawks goaltender Austin Willenborg faced 39 shots while the Cats goalie, Jacob Bono saw 43.
With the win, Tri City pulled 2 points ahead of the Central Wisconsin Saints for third place with five games in hand. While the results bode well for the Icehawks, it was the appreciation and support for Eric Tien that left the lasting impression on the game.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
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John Keuvelaar |
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