Roth Hawks kick start round robin

Jan. 21 saw Roth Diamond Tools minor bantam AE Hawks square off in Oakville for a home and home to start the OMHA playoff round robin.

The Hawks struck first when captain J.T. Gore found the net with spade work credit to Michael Magliocchi and James Harkins. Oakville answered 90 seconds later to make it 1-1 going into the second period.

Again the Hawks struck first with Brandon Richard burying a puck with assistance from Cameron Miller. The Rangers then took advantage of their opportunities and scored two before the second wound down. The play surged back and forth until the 11:36 mark when Chris Scrivo chipped in a backhander with help from linemates Ryan Rausch and Giancarlo Cianflocca.

Nothing was settled in regulation and 10 minutes of sudden victory overtime were posted on the clock. Very quickly captain Gore grabbed the loose puck and penetrated the zone to find "Maggs" Magliocchi parked in the slot where he delivered a laser top corner for the dramatic OT win. Nathan Cole guarded the Caledon cage in this nailbiter.

Hawks up by two

Jan. 24 saw the same two teams return to Mayfield for round two.

A determined Oakville squad struck quickly for the first goal 43 seconds in and controlled the play early on. The unstoppable Gore turned the tide at 4:44, ramming in a loose puck for an unassisted goal. Early in the second it was Gore again this time assisted by Magliocchi. Oakville had to win this game and tied the score later in the period.

In the third the Hawks found their game and stormed through the period outshooting Oakville 17 to 4. A slapshot by Brandon Richard with the feed from Miller put the Hawks ahead. Then it was David Rothfuchs walking into the low slot and feathering the perfect pass to Magliocchi who roofed a beauty.

Penalty trouble slowed the Hawks who surrendered a short handed goal at 6:11 making it close until Christian Bonaldi worked the puck across centre and made an unselfish pass to Richard who slammed home the emptynetter to seal the deal. Nathan Cole backstopped the 5-3 win and the Hawks are flying high. Go Hawks go!