Hawks raise thousands despite loss to Radars

watt rodgers

Veteran Watt Rodgers of Southampton (left), standing beside Southampton Legion Branch 155 President John Willetts, was the guest of honour November 9 when the Winterhawks hosted three-time defending champions the Clinton Radars at the Plex. The Winterhawks donned commemorative Remembrance Day jerseys which were auctioned off with the help of Bruce-Grey Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker. Hub photo

For their home game November 9, where they played host to three-time defending champs the Clinton Radars, the Winterhawks wore special poppy-red Remembrance Day jerseys and, with help from Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker, auctioned them off throughout and following the game in support of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 155 in Southampton.

The guest of honour for the evening was World War II veteran Watt Rodgers, who was presented with his own Winterhawks Remembrance Day jersey prior to dropping the puck for the ceremonial face-off.

“We take for granted our ability to live freely and do things like play a game and that’s all because of the brave men and women who have defended our freedom,” said President Gord Lamont in an earlier statement. “This is one simple way the Winterhawks can thank our veterans for their service.”

The top selling jersey at auction was #24 Captain Trevor Smith, which brought in $350 for the Legion.

During game play, the Clinton Radars showed exactly why they are three-time defending champions as they cruised to a 7-3 win over the Winterhawks.

They jumped out early, with Josh Cornelissen scoring at 3:19, putting a wrist shot from the point through traffic and past Winterhawks netminder Jeff Flagler.

Cornelissen was whistled two minutes later for tripping and the Winterhawks took advantage, with Josh Deyell snapping a point shot past Clinton goaltender Greg Dodds, with assists to Mike Rocca and Andy Fracz.

Clinton would respond in short order, as Sean Consitt put the visitors back on top at 9:33, followed by Cullen Mercer at 10:32, giving Clinton a 3-1 lead.

Stephen Sanza would extend the Clinton lead at 17:27, firing a laser beam over the shoulder of Flagler to make it 4-1 Clinton after one period.

The Winterhawks would kill off a double-minor to Adam Little early in the 2nd, but Clinton again struck at 12:56 when the Radars whipped the puck around, with Kurtis Bartliff finishing off with a tap-in past a helpless Flagler.

The Winterhawks would get one back, as Aeric Annetta and Andy Mitchell managed to hold the puck in the Clinton zone long enough to get the puck to Connor Patton, who snapped it past Dodds to make it 5-2.

Clinton would again capitalize, as Bartliff jumped on a turnover and sent the play into the Winterhawks zone, with Sanza finishing off the play to make it 6-2.

Bartliff would add another in the 3rd before Trent Hawke got on the board late, with assists to Rocca and Fracz to make it a 7-3 final.

The Winterhawks were back in action Saturday night in Palmerston where Curtis Johnston scored the winning goal in a shoot-out against the Minto 81’s for a final score of 7-6.

Their next game is at home where they host the Shallow Lake Crushers November 17 at 7:00 pm at the Plex.

with files from winterhawks.net

trevor smith

Winterhawk Captain Trevor Smith, whose jersey brought in $350 for the Southampton Legion, gave veteran Watt Rodgers his very own commemorative Winterhawks jersey November 9 at the Plex. Hub photo

puck drop