The Saugeen Shores Winterhawks put up a fight, but ultimately fell short against the Clinton Radars to wrap up the 2017/18 WOAA Sr. Hockey League regular season.
The Winterhawks gave up four goals in the first period, falling 6-2 to the Radars, who completed a 20-0-0 regular season.
The Radars came out with a purpose, going up 1-0 early, as Max Campbell beat Winterhawks goaltender Richard Harris 1:47 into the game.
Clinton kept on coming, going up 2-0 at 4:19 on a goal by Tyler Doig.
Campbell would add his second of the period at 11:27, followed by Davis Brown at 18:05 to make it 4-0 Radars after the 1st period.
Despite only 13 skaters dressed, the Winterhawks did not give up, battling back in the 2nd period to make a game of things.
Miles MacLean would score shorthanded from Brent MacDermid at 4:54 of the 2nd, getting the Winterhawks on the board.
The goal cemented MacLean’s spot atop the Winterhawks scoring list, as the Port Elgin native finished the regular season with 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in just 15 games.
Andy Mitchell would make it a two-goal game late in the period, converting on the power play at 17:24, with assists to Nick Quaid and Andy Fracz.
The tank ran dry in the 3rd period, as Clinton puts things away at 3:40 on a goal by Ryan Watson, and Luke Vick would add a goal in the final 10 seconds to make it a 6-2 final.
Harris was full marks, making 36 saves in just his second appearance this season.
The loss puts the Winterhawks into 6th place in the final standings, setting a 1st round playoff date with the 3rd place Durham Thundercats, the third-straight season the heated rivals have met in the opening round of the playoffs.
A full series schedule will be made available as soon as it is finalized.
with files from winterhawks.net
