Ice Hawks grab first win of the new season

The Havre Ice Hawks high school hockey team was itching for its first win of the new season and just itching to get back on the ice after games against Missoula were canceled last weekend.

Sunday, the Ice Hawks did both.

Havre was in Kalispell for a pair of MAHA games against the Flathead Fusion, and Sunday's rematch proved to be Havre's first W of the new year.

After falling to the Fusion Saturday night, the Ice Hawk came right back and skated to a 6-3 win Sunday. Tied at 1-1 after a first-period goal by Ciaran Courtnage, the Ice Hawks scored three times in the second, as Kaine Black, Stephen Preputin and Rhett Wertheimer all found the back of the net. Havre would then go up 5-1 on a Michael Emge goal to start the third, while Connor Moomey capped the win with a late wrister. Offensively, the Ice Hawks got off 28 shots, while Courtnage, Jocelyn Staples, Jacob Herring and Preputin all had assists. On defense, Clara Holland stopped 15 of 18 Fusion shots.

Havre nearly got its first win Saturday night, in what was ultimately a 6-5 loss to the Fusion. Kaine Black scored early for the Ice Hawks, who were tied at 1-1 after the first period. Herring then scored twice and Preputin added a goal in the second to put the Ice Hawks ahead 4-3 after two, but Flathead scored three times in the third, while Preputin added one for Havre in the close loss. The Ice Hawks were again very good offensively, getting 32 shot on goal. Holland meanwhile, stopped 26 of 32 Fusion shots.

Havre is now 1-5 on the season and will host the Miles City Generals Friday night at 8 p.m. and again Saturday at 10 a.m. inside the Havre Ice Dome.