After staging comebacks in their previous two games, the Hawkesbury Hawks were unable to replicate the feat last weekend, falling in shootouts to Pembroke and Cornwall.

Just like the previous two games, the Hawks fell behind early in both contests before storming back, but this time they were unable to complete the comebacks. The Hawks lost 4-3 in a shootout to the Lumber Kings in Pembroke on Sunday, two days after falling to the Cornwall Colts 3-2 in a shootout at the Robert Hartley Sports Complex in Hawkesbury on Friday evening (October 28).

“I don’t know if I would call it a tough weekend – it’s so early in the year,” said Hawks head coach Charles Lavigne, noting his squad will ultimately benefit from the two losses. “These are experiences that are just allowing us to learn a little more about how to win hockey games.”

The Hawks head coach noted the team was lucky to earn a point against Cornwall, after coming out flat in the first two periods and falling behind 2-0. Once the game was tied up in the third, Lavigne thought the Hawks deserved better in overtime

“We were the better team for that last 20 minutes and overtime,” he noted, expressing his displeasure at the shootout format. “We lost in the skills competition, which I’m not a big fan of.”

Lavigne was happier with the efforts of his charges during Sunday’s road loss in Pembroke to the Lumber Kings (3-8-0-1).

“I thought we played an excellent road game,” he said. “Pembroke – credit them – they stuck with it and their goalie made some big saves.”

“Again, we lost in the skills competition.”

Despite the two shootout losses, Hawkesbury – now 7-3-1-3 for 18 points on the season – picked up two points on weekend and remain tied with the Navan Grads for second place in the Central Canada Hockey League’s (CCHL) Yzerman Division. The Ottawa Junior Senators lead the division – and the CCHL – overall – with 23 points in 15 games.

The Junior Senators will be in Hawkesbury this Friday (November 4) for a big matchup with the Hawks at the Robert Hartley Sports Complex. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

“I’m excited to play (Ottawa),” Lavigne commented, of the Friday matchup with the defending CCHL champions. “They’re always a hard team to play against – they’re really structured.”

“We’d better come ready to play on Friday.”

Sunday, October 30 – Pembroke Lumber Kings 4 Hawkesbury Hawks 3 (SO)

Colin Vassallo netted the shootout winner, while Ben Forget made 27 saves, as the 3-8-0-1 Lumber Kings upset the Hawks at The Bob.

Hawkesbury trailed 1-0 after one period, before storming back with three straight goals by midway through the second frame. Cornwall tied the game up with just over five minutes remaining in the third period to set up overtime.

Hawkesbury, which fell to 7-3-1-3, had goals from Ryan Liverman, Bradley Horner, and Aidan Stubbings, while Dekon Randell-Snow finished with 29 saves in the loss.

Friday, October 28 – Cornwall Colts 3 Hawkesbury Hawks 2 SO

John Richer scored in regulation as well as the shootout winner, while Cameron Hollands made 28 saves and was perfect in the shootout in his debut as Cornwall improved to 7-5-1-0 on the season.

The Hawks fell behind 2-0 before coming back to force overtime and the shootout. Hawkesbury, who fell to 7-3-1-2, had both their goals from Landon Brownlee, while Dimitri Pelekos made 35 saves in the losing effort.

Central Canada Hockey League Standings – October 31, 2022