Havre struggles on home ice

Some weekends on the ice just don’t go in favor of the home team, but the Havre Ice Hawks know they still have room to grow after a tough three-day stretch at home.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the Ice Hawks were very busy at the Havre Ice Dome.

Friday Great Falls/Butte defeated the Ice Hawks 10-0. And Saturday Great Falls/Butte defeated the Ice Hawks 9-1, before Missoula also handed the Ice Hawks an 11-1 loss later that day. Sunday morning, the Ice Hawks played their fourth game, and also suffered their fourth tough loss. Missoula defeated Havre 8-0, handing the Ice Hawks an overall record of 1-5-0 after their second weekend of action.

In Friday’s loss, Great Falls/Butte put a ton of shots up against the defense and goalie Josh Emge. Emge had 17 saves but didn’t get much help as the Ice Hawks had six penalties, including four in the first period. It was a similar story Sautday, but this time Emge came up with 37 saves after another long three-periods. Havre did force Great Falls/Butte to save 14 shots, while the lone goal came from Justin Miller at the 8:07 mark of the first period. Ned Malone had the assist.

Losing to Missoula Saturday and Sunday meant another couple of big games for the opposition, while the Ice Hawks continued to struggle.

Saturday, Havre gave up 10 goals, while coming up with just two. Dustin Armstrong scored on another Malone assist at the 3:30 mark of the first period, while the second goal came from Armstrong on a Malone and Kyle Konesky assist. This power play goal came at the 6:28 mark in the second period. Emge also came up with 38 more saves. In Sunday’s loss the defense continued to struggle, even with Emge helping carry the load with 42 more saves. The Ice Hawks had another five penalties, and forced Missoula to save just 14 shots.

Next up, the Ice Hawks will travel to Glasgow Saturday, Dec. 14, for two games.