Hawks earn state hockey tournament bid

BIG LAKE — Houston is no stranger to clinching a berth in the state hockey tournament. Although Hawks generally have not had to upset higher seeds to get there.

But the underdog role seems to be working for Houston. Friday, for the second time in as many days, Houston knocked off a higher seed and the Hawks are headed to the state tournament.

Sam Fonov scored a pair of goals and Aaron Allred made 28 saves to lead fourth-seeded Houston to a 3-0 win over third-seeded Hutchison at the Big Lake Recreation Center.

Thursday, the Hawks moved forward in the winner’s bracket with a 2-0 win over top-seeded Delta. Saturday afternoon the Hawks will play for a Greatland Conference title. The Hawks will meet the winner of the Hutchison-Monroe Catholic elimination game. Monroe is the No. 2 seed.

The puck is set to drop at 3 p.m. for the championship game.

Friday, Houston and Hutchison were locked in a scoreless tie until Fonov gave the Hawks the 1-0 lead with 7:58 left in the third.

Just more than a minute later, Brad Fortin scored on the power play to extend Houston’s advantage. Fonov added a shorthanded tally with 5:33 left in regulation.

Allred made 28 saves to record his second straight shutout. Seventeen of those stops came in the second period.

Monroe stayed alive in the tournament with a 5-3 win over Delta Friday.

Houston 3, Hutchison 0

Friday, Big Lake

First period — no scoring.

Second period — no scoring.

Third period — 1. Houston- Fonov (Spidal, Hracha) 7:58; 2. Houston- Fortin (Humphreys) 6:45; 3. Houston- Fonov (unassisted)

Shots on goal: Hutchison 5-17-6—28, Houston 8-6-14—28, Hutchison- Heineken 8-6-11—25, Houston 5-17-6—28.