George Ferguson
Havre Daily News sports editor
gferguson@havredailynews.com
The Havre Ice Hawks high school hockey team isn't losing many games as of late. However, no matter where they go, the Ice Hawks can't seem to find a way to beat Great Falls.
Last weekend, Havre hosted its own tournament at the Havre Ice Dome, and in four games the Ice Hawks lost twice to Great Falls, including a 5-1 decision in the championship game Sunday morning.
Havre opened the tournament Friday night with a 6-5 win over Idaho Falls. Despite giving up five goals, David Zentmire came up with 43 saves on the night. Offensively, Josh Ladenburg pulled off a hat trick, including the game-winning goal in the final period. Josh Morse, Todd Roe and Mason Sheppard also scored goals in the victory.
Havre continued its winning ways Saturday morning, with a 4-2 win over High River, Alberta. This time it was Morse who earned a hat trick. He scored twice in the first period, with both goals coming off assists from Ladenburg. Tyler Boyce also scored the go-ahead goal in the third period. Zentmire recorded 17 saves.
Saturday night's showdown between 2-0 Great Falls and 2-0 Havre would be a prelude to the tournament's championship game, with Great Falls coming out on top 4-3.
Zentmire was brilliant in the net, stopping 33 shots, but the Havre defense could not slow down Great Falls' forwards at critical junctures in the game. Roe scored twice to pace Havre offensively. Despite the loss, Havre still advanced to the championship game.
Sunday morning's consolation game saw Idaho Falls route High River, 7-0. In Havre's loss to Great Falls in the championship, Boyce scored the Ice Hawks' only goal and Zentmire recorded 33 saves.
Havre (12-6) will return to action Jan. 21-22 when the Ice Hawks host Butte and Helena.
In Bantam action in Missoula last weekend, the Ice Hawks dropped a pair of road games to the Missoula Bruins.
On Saturday the Bruins knocked off Havre 6-4. Shane Kemmer, Kyle Miller, Beau Briese and Adam Briese all scored goals for the Ice Hawks and Willie DeVries had 20 saves.
Missoula also handled Havre on Sunday morning, this time by a score of 3-1. Kemmer scored the Ice Hawks' lone goal and Alex Sinclair had 19 saves in goal.
The Havre bantam team will host Butte on Saturday and Sunday at the Havre Ice Dome.
