Stingy Hawks seek success through defence
Andy Bader
Bradley Boville of the Mitchell Hawks makes this save during recent PJHL regular season action. Along with veteran Tyler Parr, the tandem has given the team solid goaltending to start the 2021-22 season - a definite focus, said head coach Louie Livingston. ANDY BADER/MITCHELL ADVOCATE
A solid defence paired with steady if not exceptional goaltending was the recipe for success for the Mitchell Hawks of late, as they continue to find their way through the early stages of the 2021-22 Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) Pollock division regular season.
After a pair of one-goal losses to open the campaign where Mitchell allowed eight goals, the Hawks surrendered just one goal over a three-game span and, not surprisingly, resulted in three straight wins.
Tyler Parr allowed just one goal over two periods in their 8-1 win over Walkerton Oct. 6, but he was perfect over his next six periods in back-to-back Thanksgiving weekend shutouts: 5-0 in Mount Forest Oct. 9 and 1-0 at home to Wingham the following day (Oct. 10). Rookie Bradley Boville didn't allow a goal in the final period of their win over Walkerton.
Mitchell is scheduled to host winless Goderich Oct. 16 at 7 p.m., their lone game of the weekend.
Head coach Louie Livingston mentioned the defensive play as keys to success back in the pre-season, and reiterated that stance during the recent win streak. He lauded the presence of captain Malcolm McLeod in the lineup, who was absent the opening pair of games, but has been a pillar of strength since his return to help anchor the blueline. Rookie Callan Ferguson also missed most of their loss to Hanover Oct. 2 and again when Walkerton paid a visit, but was back and a welcome addition over Thanksgiving, bolstering their defence corps.
Mitchell dominated the Patriots on their home ice Oct. 9, with McLeod opening the scoring late in the first period with the man advantage, his first of two goals on the night, but it was a four-goal outburst in the second period which put the game out of reach. Carter Musselman, Braeden Burdett (also on the power play) and Tyson Hall also scored.
Mitchell went 2-for-4 with the man advantage and was able to hold Mount Forest to 0-for-7 when they had the power play. Parr made 20 saves while the Hawks fired 45 shots at Patriots' goalie Joshua Peters.
At home to previously unbeaten Wingham Thanksgiving Sunday, Burdett's goal 12-minutes into the game stood up as the only one in a rare 1-0 triumph. Parr was a little busier in the Mitchell net, making 29 saves, but was rock solid to earn his second straight shutout. Devon Carson made 36 saves in goal for Wingham.
Livingston said Wingham bottled up the Hawks fairly well in the small Mitchell rink, but was pleased with the overall defensive effort without leading scorer Evan Dowd who missed both games while enjoying a mini vacation.
Wingham makes a return visit to Mitchell next Saturday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. while the Hawks make their first trip to Walkerton the following afternoon, Oct. 24, at 2:15 p.m.