The Houlton-Hodgdon Black Hawks played three hard-fought games, but came out short in each of last week’s games.
On Monday, the Black Hawks hosted Brewer.
The game started scoreless, as the Black Hawks and Witches played a very physical game, with neither team getting the advantage.
In the second period, Brewer capitalized on an out of sync Black Hawk unit to go ahead 3-0, including a goal they scored shorthanded.
The Black Hawks regrouped in the third period, as Lucas Grant scored halfway through the frame on assists from Ethan Nickerson and Alex Casillas to make it 3-1.
The Black Hawks did not quit, as Brandon Malone took a pass, but could not convert with five minutes left. The good news is the Black Hawks spent a lot of time in the offensive zone, but couldn’t recover from a dismal second period, as Brewer won, 5-1.
On Saturday at the Millar Civic Center, the Black Hawks suffered a heartbreaking, 4-3 loss to Lawrence/Skowhegan.
According to coach Tony Marino, the team played with a lot of heart and passion.
The Black Hawks led in the first period, 2-1, behind goals by brothers Brandon and Josh Malone, with Cam Clark adding an assist.
In the second, Lawrence-Skowhegan tied the game on nearly back-to-back goals — 9:11 and 8:56 into the period — shocking the Black Hawks defense and taking a 3-2 advantage.
Not backing down, the Black Hawks shook off the setback and scored when Brandon Malone took a pass from brother Josh to knot it at 3-all.
With just a short letdown, the Black Hawks allowed Lawrence-Skowhegan to get the eventual game-winning goal with 38 seconds left in the second to take a 4-3 win.
No one scored in the final period, although at the very end of the game, Brandon Malone did have an opportunity, but time ran out.
Last Tuesday, the Black Hawks again were host as they took on Presque Isle at the Millar Civic Center.
Marino said this was one of his team’s best games this season, although the Black Hawks started slow, they came out and proved themselves in the second and third periods.
In the first period, both Malone brothers put in unassisted tallies, but the Wildcats managed to take the lead 3-2 at the break.
In the second period, Brandon Malone tied the game with another unassisted tally. Grant then took a Nickerson pass to put Houlton-Hodgdon ahead 4-3.
However, the lead did not hold up as the Black Hawks could not keep up the intensity, falling to the Wildcats, 7-4.
“I am very proud of the team’s effort and intensity in these last few games,” said Marino. “We are a work in progress and we are progressing. This team has the talent to get the job done on the ice. They just need to believe in themselves.”
