Hawks Sweep in Round Two

The Hagersville Hawks have swept their way into round two of the SOJHL play-offs with a 4-0 series win over the Burford Bulldogs.  Hagersville traveled to Burford on the 27th for game three of the best of 7 series and came home with a 3-2 overtime win.  Nick Halliday opened the scoring with a power play goal at 8:42 of the opening period with assists going to Bob Neilson and Derek Medeiros.  Burford replied five minutes later to tie the game at one after twenty minutes of play.  The Hawks power play continued its strong play with its second power play goal of the game ten minutes into the second period as Bob Neilson scored with assists going to David Watson and Evan Saunders.  The scrappy Bulldogs battled back to tie the game at two less than two minutes later.  After a scoreless third period, the teams were off to overtime.  At the 8:54 mark of the first overtime period, Rick Schipper scored to give the Hawks a commanding three games to nothing series lead.  Jesse Sommers and Kyle Gardener picked up assists.  Rob Porter stopped 23 shots as the Hawks out shot Burford 40-25 on the night.

The Hawks returned home on Sunday afternoon looking to close out round one.  Brock McEachern opened the scoring 2:26 into the first period to give Hagersville a 1-0 lead.  Burford tied the game late in the first period with a power play goal at 18:10.  Hagersville would take control in the third period with four unanswered goals as they out shot Burford 22-6 in the period.  Bob Neilson, Evan Saunders and Rick Schipper with a pair put the Hawks up 5-1 after forty minutes of play.  Nick Halliday increased the lead to 6-1 five minutes into the third period to put the game out of reach.  Derek Medeiros scored a goal with eight minutes remaining as the Hawks rolled to a 7-3 win.  Rob Porter and Justin Garner split the game in goal for the Hawks. 

Hagersville advances to the second round and will face the conference leading Delhi Travellers.  The Hawks and Travellers squared off four times during the season with all games being decided by one goal.  Hagersville won the opener 3-2 and then lost the last three by scores of 5-4, 4-3 and 4-3.  The schedule of the series is as follows:
Game #1 Friday March 12 at Delhi – 730pm
Game #2 Saturday March 13 at Hagersville – 730pm
Game #3 Sunday March 14 at Delhi – 700pm
Game #4 Wednesday March 17 at Hagersville – 730pm
Game #5 Friday March 19 at Delhi – 730pm
Game #6 Saturday March 20 at Hagersville – 730pm
Game #7 Sunday March 21 at Delhi – 700pm