Ice Hawks skate to one draw in Butte

The Havre Ice Hawks have just two weeks of action left in their regular season and wins have been harder than ever to come by in 2014.

Havre spent the weekend at a three-day tournament in Butte. Playing four games the, Ice Hawks dropped three and managed one tie. Friday, Butte’s U-18 squad defeated the Ice Hawks 10-3. Saturday morning brought a 5-5 tie to Billings followed by a 2-1 loss to Helena Saturday night. Sunday, Sun Valley Idaho also defeated the Ice Hawks 4-2.

Goalie Josh Emge continues to have a solid season and turned in four more solid games.

Friday, Emge had 28 saves, but he followed that outing with 48 saves Saturday morning in the tie with Billings. Emge also saved 31 more shots against Helena and 16 against Sun Valley Idaho Sunday. Emge had more saves than the opposing goalie in each of the first three games.

But even with Emge’s production, for the Ice Hawks to get back in the win column, they either need to score more goals, or give up less.

Justin Miller scored two goals Friday, one on a Trevor Jensen assist and another on a power play. Alex Hanson also scored on a short-handed goal for the Ice Hawks.

On Saturday, Miller scored his third goal of the weekend, but got plenty of help. Blake Hanson scored on a Kyle Konesky assist, followed by a Gavin Gunderson goal on a Jensen assist. Ned Malone also scored on a Dustin Armstrong assist, while Caleb McLain scored the teams’ fifth goal on another Jensen assist. In Saturday’s loss to Helena Hanson scored the lone goal for Havre, assisted by Nick Howell.

Sunday’s goals came from Jensen and Malone, assisted by Brandon Huntington and Miller respectively.

  The Ice Hawks also continue to play smart, not giving up too many short-handed goals or power plays. In the four games they had just 20 total penalties, seven in the first game, four in the second, three in the third, and six in the final game Sunday.

The Ice Hawks will look to string together some wins before the end of the regular season, but it won’t be easy.

This weekend they will play their final games at the Havre Ice Dome. Friday, the Ice Hawks host Miles City at 8:30 p.m. Havre and Miles City will also faceoff Saturday at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., followed by a game against Salmon Idaho Saturday at 5:30 p.m. On Sunday at 8 a.m. the Ice Hawks will face Salmon for a second time.

Havre’s seven seniors will also be honored at 5:15 p.m. Saturday at the Ice Dome.