Ice Hawks battle the Fusion

After a lengthy Christmas break, the Havre Ice Hawks high school hockey team was back on home ice this weekend. And though the Flathead Fusion was a tough road opponent, the Ice Hawks fought hard.

Havre hosted the Fusion Saturday and Sunday inside the Havre Ice Dome, with the Fusion winning the first game 10-0 and the second 11-4.

In Sunday morning's second tilt, the Ice Hawks got off to a good start offensively, as they took the early lead on an unassisted goal by Ethan Roberts. The game stayed close for a much of the rest of the period and through the second, but eventually, the Fusion offense was just too strong. Havre goalie Kinzee Peterson did save 31 of Flathead's 42 shots on goal.

Offensively, Roberts had a big game, scoring twice, and garnering an assist. Clifford Lenhardt scored as well on assist by Roberts and Trent Shettel, while Cole Hanson scored a poet play goal on a Nic Stump assist. Bay Merker also had an assists, while the Ice Hawks got 20 shots on Flathead goalies.

In the first meeting of the weekend, the Ice Hawks honored their senior players before the game. Lenhardt, Stump, Jeffrey Ralph and Kyle Kirkpatrick are all playing in their final season of Ice Hawks hockey, and they and their parents were honored before the game.

Once the game commenced, the Fusion scored four goals in the first period with one being 5 seconds before the first ended. The Ice Hawks held the Fusion to just two goals the second period.

Flathead's offense put up 39 shots on Peterson, with the Havre goalie saving 29 of them. Penalties hurt the Havre offense throughout the night, and they managed 20 shots on goal.

Havre is back home Saturday and Sunday to take on the Miles City Generals.