Ice Hawks fight to a split with Great Falls Americans

The Havre Ice Hawks high school hockey team was back inside the Havre Ice Dome this past weekend, playing host to the Great Falls Americans.

The two teams first met Friday night in Havre and battled back-and-forth before the Americans were eventually able to come away with a 6-4 win. However, in the rematch Saturday, the Ice Hawks got the better of Great Falls, thanks to an 8-3 result.

"These kids always play hard and compete," Ice Hawks head coach Barry Brownlee said. "And when we play our best, I think that we can play with just about anybody."

In the first game, Havre got a goal less than five minutes into the game from Ethan Roberts, giving the Ice Hawks an early 1-0 advantage. Yet, Jacob Van Every of Great Falls scored to tie it up at 1-1 after the opening period.

In the second period, Havre grabbed the lead again, as Bayron Merker scored to make it 2-1. The goal was assisted by Roberts. Merker scored just 40 seconds into the second, but Great Falls answered with two goals in the next 2:24 to go up 3-2. Later in the period, the fireworks continued as Cole Hanson scored a short-handed goal to tie the game 3-3. Less than a minute later, Roberts put the Ice Hawks back in front, beating Brady Lorenz for the goal. August Eacker and Jace Butcher were each credited with an assist.

With a 4-3 advantage on their side heading into the third period, Havre was hoping to get a win or at least some points, but three goals by Great Falls put an end to that thinking. Jacob Decker tied the game with 11:28 left go. Van Every then scored to give the Americans the 5-4 lead and with 5:47 remaining in the contest, Decker added an insurance goal, making it 6-4 Great Falls, which was the final score.

Roberts had a stellar day for the Ice Hawks, scoring two goals and notching one assist in the win. Hanson and Merker also added goals. Merker also had an assist, joining Eacker Butcher.

Following the loss Friday, the Ice Hawks looked for some revenge Saturday and after falling behind 1-0 to Great Falls, Roberts and Donovan McLain both scored to give Havre a 2-1 advantage after 20 minutes.

Great Falls tied it 18 seconds into the second period, but Roberts scored 38 seconds later to put Havre back in front 3-2. The two teams were scoreless for the remainder of the second, setting up an exciting final stanza.

However, the last 20 minutes belonged to Havre. Hanson scored a goal to get things started, then McLain scored for the second time in the game putting the Ice Hawks in front 5-2. But they weren't finished, Roberts scored his third and fourth goals, while McLain scored his third with just over three minutes left, giving Havre two different players with a hat trick.

Dexter Beck and Eacker also added two assists in the win for the Ice Hawks, while Rhoda Peterson, Trent Shettel, Noah Kirsch and McLain each had one. Kinzee Peterson got the win after notching 20 saves.

The Ice Hawks (5-10-1) will play Miles City for back-to-back games Feb. 16-17, before returning home to host Billings Feb. 23-24. Havre is currently seventh in the MAHA high school standings, which means it will likely play in the Class B state tournament. Havre was second at the Class B state tournament a season ago.

"I think that we will end up finishing in the B," Brownlee said. "But I think we have a chance to do very well against those teams. We have beaten every team in the B that we have played so far."