Black Hawks showing future promise

The Houlton-Hodgdon Black Hawks split a pair of games last week, taking a 6-4 victory over Lawrence at Sukee Arena and then dropping a 7-0 contest to County rival Presque Isle last Wednesday.
The game against Presque Isle found the locals without their top defensive pair and the change in the lineup showed, noted Black Hawks coach Joel Trickey, as the Wildcats gradually took control of the game scoring their last few goals in the final minutes of the contest. Houlton Hodgdon goalies Payton Porter and Hugh Farrar combined to make 31 saves.
    “Our game against Presque Isle was not as lopsided as the score would indicate, as the Wildcats scored three late goals and the team skated well in the contest,” Trickey said. “We were without two of our top defensemen and had to mix up our lines and defensive pairings. The kids responded well to being thrown into this situation and we look on it as a learning experience and are happy with how the team responded.”
The match against Lawrence saw the Black Hawks take a 1-0 lead on a goal by Sam Fitzpatrick, with assists to Eugene Ivey and Cole McLaughlin. The Bulldogs came back strong, scoring twice near the end of the period to take a 2-1 lead into the locker room after one period of play.
The second period saw the Black Hawks fall farther behind, as Lawrence scored in the first minute of the period. The Black Hawks recovered and scored the next three goals for a 4-3 lead. But, Lawrence tied the game in the final minute of the period.
The Houlton Hodgdon goals came off the sticks of Jimmy Fitzpatrick, Brandon Ward and Josh Bragan. Assists went to S. Fitzpatrick, Bragan and Alex Donovan.
The third period saw the Black Hawks buckle down and play with more determination. The increased intensity paid off with J. Fitzpatrick giving the Black Hawks the lead at the 8:44 mark on a rink-long rush ending with Fitzpatrick tucking the puck into the net under the Bulldog goalie. The Black Hawks protected the lead, playing their 1-2-2 defense very well, said Trickey.
With just one second left in the game, Ward slid the puck to S. Fitzpatrick, who sealed the victory with an empty-net goal. Houlton-Hodgdon goalie Porter stopped 26 shots and the Black Hawks put 28 shots on the Lawrence net.
“The team played a very good game against Lawrence and their growth is evident in the fact they never gave up, even after falling behind,” explained Trickey. “They also showed their maturity as a team by being able to change defensive schemes to protect the lead in the third. The growth and experience the kids have shown this year bodes well for the future. Overall the progress the kids have made this season is very satisfying, as they have a winning record in their last six games, going 3-2-1.”
Old Town will play Houlton-Hodgdon at Millar Civic Center on Thursday at 6 p.m.