Ice Hawks ready to skate into state

After playing four games at home, the Havre Ice Hawks got a couple of weeks off before returning to the Havre Ice Dome this past weekend against Billings.

The Ice Hawks were supposed to play two games on the road against Miles City, but ended up winning both by forfeit. That gave Havre another week off before playing the Billings Bulls, who played the Ice Hawks Friday and Saturday, winning both games in a dominating fashion, 13-0 Friday and 12-0 Saturday.

The games against Billings completed the regular season for the Ice Hawks, who finished with a record of 7-12-1. Havre tied for seventh in the MAHA high school standings, which means it will play in the Class B state tournament.

The Ice Hawks state tournament team consists of Bryce Denton, Trent Shettel, Bay Merker, Noah Kirsch, Donovan McLain, Joey Bender, Dexter Beck, Cole Hanson, Ethan Roberts, August Eacker, Rhoda Peterson and standout goalie Kinzee Peterson. Roberts leads the Ice Hawks offensively with 24 goals and 30 total points. Shettel is tops for Havre with eight assists, while Eacker has scored two power play goals this season, and Roberts has one short-handed goal. Eacker and Hanson are tied for second on the team in goals with six each.

Peterson has been outstanding in goal this season for the Ice Hawks. She's started every game with a remarkable 572 saves at 83 percent per game.

Havre will take on Helena and Glasgow Friday before playing Great Falls Saturday. The tournament is round robin, the top two teams after group play will meet for the championship, the other teams will play for third and fourth. Havre finished second at the 2017 Class B state tournament. The tournament is being played in Missoula.