Game #1 -- IceHawks Hockey vs. Chicago
September 25, 2011
By: John Keuvelaar
It was the much anticipated season opener for the Tri City Icehawks. Anxious to put the ghosts of last season behind them, the Icehawks took the ice determined to open the home season with a win. But second period miscues proved costly as the Chicago Bulldogs came away with a 7-0 win.
Stirling Wright
IceHawks Head Coach
Tri City show great resolve as they battled the Bulldogs to a stalemate through much of the first period. Strong goaltending by Jon Strand kept the game scoreless until just over a minute to play with Chicago tallied to make it 1-0 after one period.
The Icehawks were looking to even the score while on a powerplay when Chicago's Dan Doyle broke loose for a shorthanded goal making it 2-0. Chicago increase their lead by quickly capitalizing on the powerplay and taking a 3-0 lead.
The Icehawks appeared to be gaining momentum although not able to score when the Bulldogs broke free for three quick goals to put the game out of reach at 6-0.
"The wheels just came off late in the second period," noted Coach Wright. We had shown solid improvement defensively over the previous scrimmage leading up to that."
The Icehawks came back strong in the final period but were unable to dent the twine. Meanwhile, they kept Chicago in check while even handed but gave up a powerplay goal to make the final score, 7-0.
"I saw some good things out there tonight. There were a lot of positive things to build on but we have to keep working on our defensive play", explained Coach Wright.