IceHawks Goalie Ben Robinson denies Maple Leafs CJ Cordado during pre-season action at the Bay County Ice Arena. (MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

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Icehawks Impressive in Exhibition Hockey

September 4, 2011       Leave a Comment
By: John Keuvelaar

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The Tri City Icehawks wasted no time in getting into action against the big boys. After only three practices, they took on the Massachusetts Maple Leafs in an exhibition game here at the Bay County Civic Arena.

The Leafs are a Junior League power out of Raynham, which is just south of Boston having won the USA Hockey Junior Nationals in 2008. The Leafs had just finished playing five games in Novi over the weekend as they have embarked on a 12 game pre-season schedule through the Midwest concluding in a tournament in Buffalo, NY. While the practice and game experience certainly weighed in favor of the Leafs, the Icehawks waged a very spirited and challenging contest before succumbing to their more experience counterpart. "Overall, the kids did real well," noted a rather pleased Coach Stirling Wright. "It was a good pace. I was very pleased with our boys' play."

But it wasn't his team's play that Coach Wright was most pleased with. "The best thing is we had players show that they wanted to be here. They are already holding each other accountable."

But it wasn't only the Coach that was impressed with the Icehawks' effort. "A player from the Leafs came up to me after the game an told me that we were the toughest team they had played so far. We just kept coming after them."

And coming they did. The Icehawks showed good offensive push as they drove the puck up ice all night holding the puck in their offensive zone for good scoring chances. "We hit the post a lot tonight," commented Coach Wright. The Icehawks had chances to take the lead in the second period but the net posts kept ringing on good shots. Coach Wright was more pleased with the intensity the boys showed to the end. "With three minutes to play, one player came off the ice upset about hitting another post. I like that intensity."

But there is a lot of work to do as the Icehawks prepare for the league opener on Friday Sept 9 at the Ice Mountain in Burton, MI. The Icehawks take on the Mountain Cats at 7:00 pm and again that Saturday night at 5:00 pm.

The Icehawks open their home schedule Saturday, Sept 17 at 7:30 pm versus Chicago with a Sunday noon game on the 18th.

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John Keuvelaar
John Keuvelaar is a college student at Midwest Photography Workshops and Delta College. More from John Keuvelaar

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