News

EXETER – The Exeter Hawks picked up their seventh win in a row Saturday night, beating the defending league champion Thamesford Trojans 6-1 on the road. 
The win followed a 3-1 home victory over the Port Stanley Sailors Friday night, and kept the Hawks two points behind Thamesford for first place in the SOJHL's Yeck Conference.

Exeter never trailed against Thamesford, picking up one goal in the first period, two in the second and three in the third.

Brent Rae broke the ice with an unassisted goal 6:12 into the first, though Thamesford's Travis Parkin tied it 5:28 into the second. 

The Hawks charged back with power play goals from Derek MacDonald and Kalvin Thornton late in the frame, leaving it 2-1 Exeter after 40 minutes. 

Steve Gingerich, Matthew McLellan and Rae each scored in the third period to solidify the win, and Hawks goalie Aaron Bedard had 38 saves. 

Friday's win was less emphatic, but saw the Hawks lead 1-0 after the first period thanks to a goal from Thornton. 

Josh Brideau scored 52 seconds into the second period, and Port Stanley's Jacob Pliskow scored late in the frame to make it 2-1. 

Thornton scored the only goal of the third period, an even-strength marker with about six minutes remaining.

Bedard went the distance in goal for the Hawks, making 34 saves. 
"The guys had a good weekend," said Hawks head coach Jeff MacLean in an interview. 

"They're hopefully really starting to gel here, and they're buying into the systems and they're starting to really play well as a team, and for each other, which is good – especially at this time of the year." 

MacLean said confidence is at a high level among his team, adding that seems like half the battle sometimes. 

"They're following through and they're executing, and they're seeing results," he said. 

The Hawks carry a good deal of momentum heading into their final three games of the season, the first of which will be a rematch with Thamesford Friday at home. 
MacLean said he thinks momentum will be a huge factor going into the playoffs, adding all teams in the conference are strong. 

"There will be no easy rounds in this year's playoffs, whether we play Lambeth or Lucan or Port Stanley," he said. "It doesn't matter. 

"That first round is going to be a fight, and we realize that, and that's why we aren't taking any games off, especially for these next three."

If the Hawks catch Thamesford and finish first in the Yeck, they would have the option of a bye in the first round of the playoffs. 

The first-place team also has the option of passing the bye to another team. 
MacLean said the first round bye perhaps isn't as important to the Hawks as having home ice advantage during the playoffs. 

"We haven't really thought about the bye and how that would affect us," he said. "Probably more importantly, we see the home ice as being a benefit." 
Friday's game against Thamesford is set for an 8:30 p.m. start at the South Huron Recreation Centre.

The Hawks finish the regular season next weekend with games against Lambeth and Mt. Brydges