Winterhawks round out 2016 with lucky 13

Winterhawks’ Nick Quaid eyes up Muskie player Nick Glassford during the first period. Hub photo

The Winterhawks notched a convincing 7-2 victory Friday night at the Plex to extend their winning streak to 13, maintaining their perch atop the WOAA Senior AA standings.

Curtis Johnston chipped a loose puck past Shelburne goalie Eddie Davey just over a minute into the game to put the Hawks on the scoreboard. It was Johnston's 10th goal of the season.

A Muskies power play goal two minutes later erased the lead as Luke Richardson beat Hawks goalie Blake Sinclair on a deflection.

The two teams showed symptoms of turkey overload for the bulk of the first period as sloppy play and a general lack of energy were evident but the tempo picked up in the second.

Greg Thede, who never lacks energy, put the Hawks back on top with a slapshot from the blue line early in the second frame. Alex Penner extended the lead to 3-1 midway through the second but Shelburne continued to battle spurred on by the superb play of their goalie Davie and narrowed the margin with a goal from Tyler McCallum.

With the Hawks buzzing around the Muskies net, Bryan Kazarian pounced on a big rebound and wristed it low and past Davie to make it 4-2.

Brent MacDermid, playing in his 200th regular season game with the Winterhawks, notched his 11th of the season on a wraparound beauty assisted by brother Jeff MacDermid and Blake Underwood.

Both MacDermid brothers would leave the game early as Jeff engaged in a spirited tussle with Nathan King which left the Shelburne player bloodied and Brent was ejected in the ensuing melee.

Alex Penner potted his second of the game, his eighth of the season, before Trent Hawke closed out the scoring with an absolute bullet to the top corner.

Newcomer Curtis Warren, who played minor pro in the Federal League, looked strong in his Winterhawks debut.

The Winterhawks outshot the Muskies by a 56-21 margin.

Next action for the Winterhawks is Friday, January 6 when the Lucknow Lancers come to town followed by a Saturday night match-up at the Plex against the Mapleton Minto 81s who continue to breathe down the Winterhawks neck in the race for top spot in the WOAA.

with files from winterhawks.net

Muskie forward Luke Richardson celebrated after scoring on the Winterhawks. Hub photo

Winterhawk James McHaig with a break away down the side during the Winterhawk game December 30, which saw them win their 13th straight game. Hub photo