Hawks come up short against defending champs

Greg Thede blocks Zach Graham’s shot on net as the Winterhawks hosted the Radars December 15. Hub photo

Nick Quaid and Brent MacDermid each scored but it wasn’t enough as the Saugeen Shores Winterhawks came up just short against the defending WOAA Sr. “AA” champions, Clinton Radars.

Clinton scored twice in the 3rd period to take a 4-2 victory over the Winterhawks on a blustery night in Saugeen Shores.

The Radars got on the board early as Sean Consitt finished off a nice passing play from Tyler Doig and Luke Vick to make it 1-0 Clinton just 1:33 into the game.

Jeff Flagler was outstanding in the Winterhawks net early on, holding off a barrage of Radars shots as Clinton held a decisive edge in the 1st period, out-shooting the Winterhawks 15-5, but Flagler kept the score at just 1-0.

The Winterhawks were far better in the 2nd period, carrying the play at times, but Marc Nother was on his game in the Clinton net.

Doig would make it 2-0 on the power play at 13:15, when he stepped in over the line and blasted a slapshot that deflected off the stick of the Winterhawks defender and past Flagler.

Many teams this season have wilted as the Radars have gone out in front, but the Winterhawks fought back, as Quaid beat Nother on a wraparound goal at 16:27 to put the Winterhawks within one.

The Radars Kyle Flemington would be whistled for cross-checking Chris Minard into Nother late in the period and the Winterhawks would take advantage.

MacDermid wired a wrist shot into the top corner with four seconds left to bring the home crowd to its feet, tying the game at 2-2, with assists to Curtis Johnston and Blake Underwood.

The Radars would go out ahead again in the 3rd period, as Flemington took a shot from the point that would beat Flagler through a crowd, making it 3-2 Clinton at 4:48 of the 3rd.

The Winterhawks pressed for the equalizer, but Vick dashed any hopes of putting a blemish on Clinton’s perfect record, redirecting a point shot past Flagler at 15:55 of the 3rd.

Flagler made 34 saves on the night, earning The Wismer House Player of the Game honors.

The loss drops the Winterhawks to 5-6-1 on the season, and they will turn around and head out on the road December 16 to face the Lucknow Lancers at 7:30 p.m.

Winterhawk Jacob Brown tries to slow Clinton Radar’s Stephen Sanza down. Hub photo