Winterhawk Forward Lauchlin Elder hunts for the puck in the Lucknow Lancer end, December 28, at the Plex. Hub photo

Jeff Flagler made 32 saves as the Saugeen Shores Winterhawks blanked the Lucknow Lancers 3-0 at The Plex on Friday night.

Lucknow goaltender Ben Dorscht came up big for his team early in the game, as the Winterhawks sent a barrage at the Lucknow net, but couldn’t get one to find the twine.

Trent Hawke broke through at 10:31 of the 1st, sneaking out of the corner and firing the puck past Dorscht, with Nick Quaid and Lauchlin Elder assisting.

The Winterhawks extended the lead to 2-0 just shy of two minutes later when Curtis Johnston worked the puck to Matt Shields off the faceoff.

Dorscht made the initial save on Shields, but the rebound went right to Blake Underwood, who made no mistake.

Flagler and the Winterhawks penalty killers managed to kill off a trio of penalties to keep the score at 2-0 after one.

In the 2nd period, it was the Winterhawks power play with a chance to go to work, but Dorscht shut the door.

Flagler made several key saves to keep Lucknow off the board, as the score remained 2-0 after two.

Quaid put the game away early in the 3rd period, as Underwood skated around the Lucknow net and found the Winterhawks defender streaking to the net, with Quaid connecting on a one-timer to make it 3-0.

Lucknow pressed to get on the board late in the game, but again Flagler came up with the saves to preserve the shutout, with the Winterhawks outshooting Lucknow 47-32.

The win propels the Winterhawks into a tie with the Minto 81’s for 4th place in the WOAA Sr. Hockey League, improving their record to 10-5-1.

They will be back on the ice in the new year, hosting the Shallow Lake Crushers at The Plex at 8:30 p.m. on Friday January 4th.

with files from winterhawks.net

Winterhawk James McHaig and Lancer Forward Chad Simpson try for the puck after a face-off in the Winterhawk end. Hub photo

Winterhawk Nick Quaid retrieves the puck after a face-off. Hub photo

Trent Hawke with the first goal of the game for the Saugeen Shores Winterhawks. Hub photo

Hawk Jamie Shoemaker gets ready to place the puck in the Lancer end. Hub photo