Ice Hawks play four games in three days

This past weekend, the Havre Ice Hawks high school hockey team had a busy slate with four games across three days. The Ice Hawks started the weekend at home at the Havre Ice Dome where they lost both games to the Billings Bulls by scores of 5-4 and 4-2. Then on the road, the Ice Hawks split with the Helena Bighorns with a 4-3 win and a 3-2 loss.

The Ice Hawks started their weekend with a 5-4 loss to Billings at the Havre Ice Dome Friday. Early in the first period, Havre took a 1-0 lead with a goal from Jacob Herring. Just a few minutes later, Seth Hanson scored a goal for Billings to make it a 1-1 game. The Ice Hawks came right back with another goal from Herring to take the lead. But late in the period, Austin Bonebright scored to tie the game 2-2.

Early in the second period, Ian Laib scored to give Billings a 3-2 lead. Late in the period, Trayden Riley scored on a power play to tie the game, 3-3, heading to the third period.

After a scoreless lull through most of the final period, Billings took control of the game. First, Laib scored another goal to give Billings the lead again. Minutes later, Clint Isakson scored to extend the lead to 5-3. Austin Boyce scored late in the period to cut the deficit to 5-4, but time ran out on the Ice Hawks.

Boyce finished the game with three points as he scored one goal and recorded a pair of assists. Starting goalie Clara Holland recorded a save percentage of .828 for the Ice Hawks.

The Ice Hawks had another game against Billings Saturday at the Havre Ice Dome where they suffered a 4-2 loss. The Ice Hawks scored early in the second period as Decker Hanson scored a goal. Later in the period, Michael Emge scored a goal to extend the lead to 2-0.

But the Bulls took control in the third period. Isakson scored a goal on a power play to get Billings on the board. Just a few moments later, Brady Kittelmann scored to tie the game. Seconds later, Bonebright scored on a power play to give Billings a 3-2 lead. Laib then scored to put the game out of reach with a 4-2 lead.

Later Saturday, the Ice Hawks were on the road to face the Helena Bighorns. After two losses to start the weekend, the Ice Hawks rebounded with a 4-3 victory. Helena struck first in the first period with a goal from Kaeben Bushnell. Moments later, Havre responded with a goal from Ciaran Courtnage to tie the game.

Later in the first period, Shay Schroeder scored to give Helena a 2-1 lead. About a minute later, Corbin Reighard scored to push Helena’s lead to 3-1. But the Ice Hawks came back. In the second period, Boyce scored to cut Havre’s deficit to 3-2.

In the third period, Boyce scored another goal to tie the game 3-3. A few minutes later, Herring scored to give Havre a 4-3 lead. Over the rest of the third period, the Ice Hawks played solid defense to close out the victory.

Boyce had another strong game as he led Havre with two points, both coming as goals. At goalie, Holland recorded a save percentage of .850 for the Ice Hawks.

On Sunday, the Ice Hawks wrapped up their week with a 3-2 loss to the Helena Bighorns. Early in the first period, Helena took the lead with a goal from Justin Brewer. Early in the second period, the Ice Hawks tied the game with a goal from Herring on a power play. But later in the period, Warren Ryser scored to give Helena a 2-1 lead.

Halfway through the third period, David Emge scored a goal to tie the game. A few minutes later, Will Carroll scored a goal to give Helena a 3-2 lead. The Bighorns then played defense down the stretch to hold Havre scoreless the rest of the way.

At the end of the weekend, the Havre Ice Hawks have a record of 5-11 this season. They will next play Feb. 3 on the road when they play the Missoula Bruins.