Fitzpatrick leads Black Hawks in final game

The Houlton-Hodgdon Black Hawks ended their season on a high note defeating Winslow at Sukee Arena, 7-3, behind Sam Fitzpatrick’s four goals and two assists. Fitzpatrick, a senior, had a spectacular final game, as he set up the first two goals and scored four of the next five to seal the Black Hawk victory in his final game.
    Brandon Ward put the Black Hawks ahead at the 11:53 mark of the first period, assisted by Fitzpatrick. Winslow tied the game less than a minute later, but Ward scored his second of the game, with assists going to Fitzpatrick and Brandon Malone. The first period ended with the Black Hawks leading 2-1.
Netminder Payton Porter saw 11 shots in the period, which featured end-to-end action.
The second period saw Fitzpatrick give the Houlton-Hodgdon team a 3-1 lead on a short-handed goal. He was sent in on the Black Raider goalie on a nice pass from Alaina Stewart. Winslow pulled to within one, but the period ended with the Black Hawks leading by a goal.
Porter faced nine shots and the Black Hawks had 15 shots for a two-period total of 27.
The third period saw Fitzpatrick hit for his second marker of the game with just 37 seconds gone. The assists went to linemates Ward and Malone. Winslow pulled to within one again just 13 seconds later and the contest remained tight until Fitzpatrick garnered his hat trick goal at the 8:31 mark. Assists again went to his linemates Ward and Malone.
Three minutes later, Alex Donovan scored as he was sent in alone on the Winslow goalie by another slick pass out of the Black Hawks end by Stewart. Fitzpatrick finished his career with the Black Hawks by scoring his fourth goal of the game just 17 seconds later to end the scoring. Again, the assists went to his linemates.
The Black Hawks put 47 shots on the Winslow goalie and Porter stopped 32 shots in the Black Hawk net.
“Sam finished his career here with a career game,” said Black Hawks coach Joel Trickey. “His six points not only was one of the highest one-game totals in Black Hawk history, but showed his determination and leadership. When we asked the team to step up and put the contest away between the second and third periods, Sam took it upon himself to give us the win in his final game. He’s been leading the team by example all season and it was nice to see him finish off his time here with such a great game.
“The entire team has grown this season and that bodes well for us in the future,” said Trickey. “While our record wasn’t the best, the kids worked hard and finished the season 5-5-1. This shows the growth by everyone on the team.”