Americans skate past Ice Hawks

Being short-handed is never easy in the sport of hockey. And the Havre Ice Hawks high school hockey team found that out this weekend in two road losses to the Great Falls Americans.

The Ice Hawks were down three skaters in Saturday's game in Great Falls, and while they fought hard, they still had to succumb to a Great Falls' onslaught in a 14-1 loss.

Havre's lone goal came from August Eacker on a Jeffrey Ralph assist. Havre goalie Bay Merker stopped 14 Great Falls shots, while Havre managed just 15 shots on goal offensively.

Short-handed again Sunday, the Ice Hawks returned to the ice and again, put up a great fight. But, in the end, Great Falls prevailed 9-3.

Havre was more efficient offensively, converting on three of its 10 shots on goal. Clifford Lenhardt put in an unassisted goal in the first period, while he also assisted on a Ralph goal in the third. Havre also got a score from Cole Hanson on a second-period goal assisted by Bryce Denton. Merker saved 19 shots between the pipes.

The Hawks will now enjoy a lengthy home stand inside the Havre Ice Dome, starting with a pair of games against Miles City this coming weekend. Havre and Miles City will play at 8 Saturday night and 10 a.m. Sunday.