Ice Hawks fall in season-opening games

George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor [email protected]

It was a tough way for the Havre Ice Hawks high school hockey team to open the season. The new-look Ice Hawks, who graduated several key players from last year's state tournament squad, opened their 2008-09 season with a pair of home losses to the Butte Blues on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday night at the Havre Ice Dome, the Ice Hawks were shut out by the Blues 7-0. Despite giving up the seven goals to the Blues, the Ice Hawks got a combined 48 saves in goal by Gareth Bernard and Will DeVries. Havre played better on Sunday afternoon, but the Blues still skated to a 5-2 victory at the ice dome. Nic Sunchild scored for Havre on assists from Jake Konesky and Beau Briese. Brayden Grimson also scored for the Ice Hawks on an assist from veteran Kyle Miller. In goal, DeVries stopped 37 shots in the loss. The Ice Hawks won't be at home again until Dec. 12-13 when they host Bozeman. Havre is four straight road games upcoming, starting with a pair of league games in Whitefish on Saturday and Sunday. The Ice Hawks are also in Great Falls on Nov. 28-29.