Hawks play physical for win

The Houston Hawks hosted the Monroe Rams Tuesday to complete a two-game series of physical hockey between the two teams at Brett Memorial Ice Arena.

The Rams confronted the Hawks with physical play from the onset of the game, but Houston was not intimidated, matching the physical style of play while scoring goals en route to a 3-1 victory.

"This was a different type of game for us," said Houston coach Jamie Smith. "We're used to playing a lot of 4A teams that feature speed and discipline. Monroe tried to slow us down by being physical."

The teams combined for 26 penalties in the game, with Monroe getting 12 and Houston 14.

With the physical play by both teams, neither squad was able to get many shots on goal.

Both teams pinned well on defense to tie up the puck. The Hawks put 23 shots on goal while the Rams only recorded 10.

The majority of play occurred in the Monroe zone with Houston attacking or controlling the puck between the blue lines.

The Hawks' defense

didn't allow the Rams to set up plays in their zone, constantly tying up Monroe attackers to get the puck and send it out of the zone. Most Monroe shots on goal came from outside slap shots.

"We played our young guys on defense this game," said Smith. "The young guys don't want to keep the puck and will release it to get it out quickly. Roy Stull had a great game for us on defense, probably his best game yet."

Following a scoreless first period, Houston scored the first goal of the game at 13:06 in the second period.

Houston center Jake Williams drove the puck down the right side and attempted a shot that deflected off the Monroe goaltender and bounced across the crease to the left side of the net.

In a flurried scramble by Houston attackers to hit the bouncing puck, Brandon Boehm got his stick on it and punched the puck through a hole for the unassisted goal.

The relentless pursuit of the Houston attackers struck again when defenseman Lucas Van Buskirk delivered a slap shot from the point that deflected off the Monroe goaltender.

Freshman winger Wade Williams stood just outside the crease and redirected the deflection back into

the net.

The goal came at 5:57 in the second period to put Houston ahead 2-0.

Houston capped a three-goal second period with the Williams brothers combining for a shorthanded goal with 2:32 remaining in the period.

Jake Williams took the faceoff at center ice and drove it into the Monroe zone, holding off a Rams defender while handling the puck on the other side of his body. Wade Williams skated around them and took the puck to the net, faked a forehand shot to the left side of the net, then swept the puck to the right side and dumped in a backhanded shot into the goal.

"Wade anticipates so well," said Smith. "He has some special abilities."

The goal put Houston up 3-0 and demonstrated how quickly the Hawks can score, even when shorthanded.

Throughout the second period, Houston defenders allowed the Rams only one shot on goal.

The Rams broke through with a goal at 10:08 in the third period to cut the lead 3-1, but further shots were hard to get.

Despite seven penalties in the third period that caused the Hawks to play shorthanded, Houston's defense held Monroe to only six shots, giving up a single goal to preserve a 3-1 victory.

In the previous game against Monroe on Monday, a shorthanded goal by Wade Williams in the third period broke a 1-1 tie and opened the door to a Houston run as the Hawks piled up goals for a 4-1 win.

Houston will enjoy a long break over the holidays, with its next game scheduled for Jan. 10 at Skyview High School.