Justin Lacy scores the Icehawks first goal going top shelf. (MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar) Tri City Icehawks Fall To Mountain Cats, 6-2
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With the month of October closing out, we are just getting into the hockey season. The Icehawks know that means plenty of time to right the ship and climb right into the playoff picture. The stabilizing of the roster is a big step and with the familiarization will come wins. That process was clearly evident Saturday night as the Icehawk passes were crisper, met more teammates and the overall effort was exciting. However, the effort was not enough as the Michigan Mountain Cats skated away with a 6-2 victory.
The first period was fast up and down hockey. The puck movement was quick finding may open skaters. But the lack of physical contact seemed to play into the Mountain Cats hands as they dominated the play keeping the puck in their offensive end.
The Mountain Cats got on the board first when the initial shot rebounded back out front to a charging Bryant Danielson who snapped it past Alex Montagano for a goal.
Danielson made it 2-0 late in the period. Coming out of the corner with the puck, he out muscled an Icehawk defenseman to get to the front of the net where his backhander whizzed by the side of the goaltender.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Having been out shot 19-9 in the first period, the Icehawks came out challenging the puck with more intensity. While the Icehawks were clearly disrupting the Cats' rhythm, the lack of physical presence in front of the net allowed the Cats Cameron Dimmitt to pick of the second rebound in front of the net and shoot it in for a 3-0 Mountain Cat lead.
Justin Lacy put the Icehawks on the board with 5:36 to play in the second period. Jumping on the puck at the blue line, he slid the puck between the defenders legs, skated around him to face goalie Robert Martin one on one and beat him high just under the cross bar making it 3-1.
The "let it all out" style of skating by Lacy served to energize the Icehawks as they worked for additional scoring chances on Martin. Cameron Bruff nearly got the Icehawks within one as the tough IceHawk forward bounced the puck off the side of the net, banking it around the defenseman but the resulting Icehawk's shot went just wide of the far post.
The Mountain Cats made it 4-1 two minutes later as Dalton Hammond picked up a loose puck in front of the net and beat a sprawling Montagano for the goal.
The Icehawks out shot the Cats in the second period 18 to 9 thanks in part to a good looking power play that produced two opportunities that period. While they weren't able to capitalize on the extra shots, the confidence grew as they had more jump on the puck.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
The new-found confidence and intensity grew in the third period. The Icehawks checking picked up and with their "hawking" the puck, they were able to create more turnovers. This effort was rewarded when the Icehawks made a hard charge to the net where Lacy picked up a rebound and buried it in the back of the net narrowing the margin to 4-2.
But the momentum was short-lived as the Cats' Cameron Dimmitt beat Montagano from the slot only a minute later to extend the lead to 5-2.
Bryant Danielson notched his hat trick half-way through the period as he beat replacement goalie Elliot Wrasse when he froze him on a deke and skated around him for an open net shot.
The Icehawks continued to battle as they pulled their goalie while on a 5 on 3 advantage in an attempt to get back into the game. But Martin stood tall in the nets for the Cats and the game ended with a 6-2 Mountain Cat victory.
While it was another loss in the books, the Icehawks showed more continuity on the ice and got more offensive pressure on net. It is also expected that the two Russian skaters from the affiliate Cleveland team will be joining the Icehawks. Their skill level will help.
The Icehawks return to action next Friday, November 5 against these same Mountain Cats at the Bay County Civic Arena. Puck is scheduled to drop at 7:30.
(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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