Hawks power past Hutchison

HOUSTON — As Houston skates into the final stretch of the 2015-16 season, the Hawks appear to be sending a message to their 3A competitors. Houston may be the third seed in the upcoming Greatland Conference Champions. But don’t forget about the defending 3A state champion Hawks.

Houston fired a combined 121 shots on goal during a two-game sweep of Hutchison Friday and Saturday at the Big Lake Recreation Center in Big Lake.

“We’re kind of peaking right now. We’re doing really well,” Houston head coach Mike Styers said by cellphone Saturday afternoon.

Houston outshot Hutchison 60-12 during a 6-0 win Friday, and followed the performance with 61 shots during a 4-1 victory Saturday morning.

Styers said the Hawks did a great job of pressuring the Hutchison net, consistently pounding the crease with shots. Houston’s defensive effort also stood out, Styers said.

“We really shut them down,” Styers said.

After Hutchison reserve goalie Trevor Boswell allowed three early goals to the Hawks Friday, Hutchison starter Max Heineken was inserted between the pipes, and made 111 saves in 5 ½ periods of play.

“He’s the best goalie we’ve faced, big school or small school,” Styers said of Heineken.

But Heineken wasn’t the only goalie to shine over the weekend. Houston starter Caleb Beauvais also stood out.

Beauvais pitched a shutout on Friday, and allowed only a goal on 23 Hutchison shots on Saturday. Styers said Beauvais is a big reason why the Hawks will ride a seven-game winning streak into the region tournament.

“I thought our goaltender has really stepped up this year. We worked a lot with our goalie over Christmas. He’s been working every day,” Styers said. “Night and day, he’s a better goaltender.”

Sophomore Reed Humphreys enjoyed a monster weekend for the Hawks, posting five goals and three assists. Humphreys factored into eight of Houston’s 10 goals in the series.

“He’s a big, strong, physical guy. He’s just so strong,” Styers said of Humphreys.

Styers said puck movement has been key for Humphreys. The defenseman typically draws a lot of attention, and Styers said Humphreys has been using his teammates to help create opportunities. Styers said Humphreys has had a lot of success creating chances from the point, with the Hawks screening the opposing goaltender.

Isaac Smolden and Tristan Hracha also scored for the Hawks on Friday. Hracha, Noah Gillespie and Austin Zweifel also scored Saturday.

Houston (6-3-1 in conference play) skates into the region tournament as the No. 3 seed, behind first-place Monroe Catholic and second-place Delta. Hutchison is the fourth seed.

“It’s a lot more competitive, a lot closer,” Styers said of the region. “Monroe is probably the team to beat. Delta, us and Hutch are pretty close together.”

The Greatland tournament begins Thursday in Fairbanks.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

Houston 6, Hutchison 0

Friday, Big Lake Rec Center

First period — 1. Houston- Humphreys (Smolden) 11:54; 2. Houston- Humphreys (unassisted) 10:34; 3. Houston- Smolden (Humphreys) 5:59; 4. Houston- Humphreys (unassisted) 4:59.

Second period — no scoring.

Third period — 5. Houston- Humphreys (Dreyer) 7:43; 6. Houston- Hracha (Gillespie) 5:57.

Shots on goal: Hutchison 8-2-2—12, Houston 20-15-25—60; Saves: Hutchison- Boswell 8-x-x—8, Heineken 11-15-23—54.

Houston 4, Hutchison 1

Saturday, Big Lake

First period — no scoring.

Second period — 1. Houston- Hracha (Humphreys, Smolden) 13:15; 2. Houston- Gillespie (unassisted) 5:12 3. Houston- Zweifel (Humphreys) 0:13.

Third period — 4. Hutchison- Savok (Newman) 11:19; 5. Houston- Humphreys (Fonov) 3:20.

Shots on goal: Hutchison 5-11-7—23, Houston 19-25-17—61; Saves: Hutchison- Heineken 19-22-16—57, Houston- Beauvais 5-11-6—22.