The Red Hawks boys hockey team capped off its year with a dominating 5-0 win over the Adam Scott Lions at home Dec. 19.
The Haliburton Highlands Secondary School team secured an early lead and kept the Lions scoreless, with goaltender Carson Sisson getting the shutout. The victory gives the Red Hawks a 4-2 record midway through the season.
“This is a good place to be at this point in the year,” coach Jason Morissette said. “Puts us in a good shape for playoffs.”
Isaac Little opened the scoring on an assist from Tim Turner just 2:39 into the first period, which would eventually hold up as the game-winner.
“We played pretty good,” Little said. “We played together as a team really well. It’s good development for further in the season.”
Despite pushback from Adam Scott, the Red Hawks added to their lead at the end of the first on a goal from Braeden Robinson.
The game went scoreless throughout the second until the Red Hawks struck shorthanded, with Reese Casey scoring with just over five minutes left to make it 3-0. Robinson would strike again on a feed from Lucas Haedicke to give the home team a 4-0 lead heading into the second intermission.
Morissette complimented the efforts of his top line, which features Robinson, Haedicke and Paul Turner.
“They’re all seniors, they know the system,” he said. “They got the bulk of our points today because they know how to play the system.”
Haedicke finished the scoring on a solo-rush, splitting Adam Scott’s defense and getting in on goal to make it 5-0 in the third. The team held the Lions at bay the rest of the way, controlling the play and killing a 5-on-3 to preserve the shutout.
Morissette said it was important the team continued playing and not lose focus in a blowout win.
“No matter what happens when you got the lead, keep good habits,” he said. “The second half of our season is going to be a lot tougher.”
Still, he said the team with several inexperienced players is playing above his expectations going into the holiday break with a winning record.
“I see a lot of guys on this team that are really eager to learn about the game,” Morissette said. “If they’re willing to listen and willing to put in the time, willing to try it, then it goes much better.”
“I feel like we’re getting better every game,” Little said. “We’re going to be playing some tougher teams as the season gets on and I think the boys are getting ready for it.”
