C-Hawks edged Aces 5-4 in Game 1

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This article was published 09/04/2024 (897 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

VIRDEN — A few lulls in their play almost cost the Minota-Elkhorn C-Hawks in Game 1 of the senior provincial A best-of-three series.

Hosting the Ste. Anne Aces Saturday night at Tundra Oil and Gas Place — Elkhorn’s ice plant is down thus forcing the move for games to the home of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Oil Capitals — the C-Hawks took an early 3-0 first period lead on power-play goals by Taylor Sanheim, with two, and Dustin Fisher.

“At times I thought we played our game, but then had some lulls and letdowns which allowed the Aces back in the game,” said C-Hawks veteran coach Garth Mitchell. “With their speed and skill you can’t let them do what they did once they entered our zone.”

It helped the Aces cause when their goaltender Travis Bosch, who faced 36 shots, was stellar between the pipes after giving up the three power-play goals after 20 minutes. He was stingy the rest of the next two periods, with the Aces winning the middle period 3-2 and last period 1-0.

“Their goalie statistically is one of the better goalies in the South East Manitoba Hockey League and he made some key saves, if not, the game gets away from them with us up 3-0 already,” noted Mitchell.

If there are concerns going into Game 2 this Saturday in Niverville, with puck drop at 4 p.m., it will be the play of their top snipers Brenden Walker, Caleb Paisley and Jordan DePape, according to Mitchell.

“I expected a good quality team facing us, and they were. We’ve not seen this group play before, and they’ve added a few new players.

“Our defence did a good job on them, but you have to keep them from using their speed in the neutral zone. Just look what Walker and Paisley did scoring 14 seconds apart.

“It was a good thing we scored our fourth goal a few minutes later by Brad Bowles … that was huge for us because we were missing on a lot of our opportunities with their goalie making big saves.”

After 40 minutes, the C-Hawks led 5-3.

How do you neutralize the Aces’ top scoring unit?

“You keep them playing on defence,” offered Mitchell. “If we keep the puck in their zone like we know how to play, then their better players are not able to play in our zone.”

Aces sniper Walker scored twice on C-Hawks goalie Cory Gardham, who has played the lion’s share of his team’s post-season games, and was busier than usual in net compared to his series against the Killarney Shamrocks. He faced 37 shots. DePage and Paisley added single markers.

While both teams took advantage of special teams, it was the first period barrage on Bosch giving the C-Hawks the early momentum.

While the Bowles siblings — Jason, Brad and Shawn — created havoc generating scoring opportunities, it was Fisher’s play which caught the eye of the C-Hawks coach. Smaller in stature than his teammates, Fisher kept the Aces defence busy.

“Dustin is unselfish when he plays,” said Mitchell. “He’s smart with the puck and I don’t mind putting him in any situation during the game.”

While his players are used to playing games every few days during the post-season, but because of the Oil Capitals hosting MJHL playoff games on their home ice, Mitchell had to push the series a week with Game 2 a week away, and Game 3 if necessary this Sunday at 4 p.m.

“It’s a bit longer than what the boys would like to play, but a week gives them a chance to heal up their bumps and bruises from a physical series,” he said.

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