Hawks 8-1 in young AAA season
Posted 3 months ago
By Donald McLeod
With only one loss in their first nine games, the Pembina Valley Hawks are sitting atop the west division in the Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League.
Strong goaltending and offence from the likes of league-leading scorer Michael Soffilas helped the Hawks to pick up two more wins in the past week.
Tyler Oswald kicked out 33 shots in a 4-0 shutout of the Norman Northstars October 24, and Sofillas had two goals the next afternoon in a 4-2 win over the Yellowhead Chiefs.
Jory Mullin scored the first two goals in Saturday’s shutout with Jeff Clark and Brett Pinkerton getting the others. Corbin Delichte had a pair of assists.
Against the Chiefs, Sofillas had the only goal of the opening period before Kyle McLeod scored for the Chiefs in the second. Travis Erickson put the Chiefs ahead 2-1 just before the midway mark of the third, but Christian Savard, John Reimer and Soffilas scored for the Hawks. Reed Peters had 25 saves for the Hawks.
“We wanted to come out and have a good season,” said Sofillas, who was up to 10 goals and eight assists for 18 points to share the league scoring lead with teammate Jared Morris (9-9).
Sofillas said he feels more comfortable and confident in his second season with the Hawks.
“We want to finish first, and I want to do what I can to help the team,” said Soffilas. “Last year, I just played my game and watched and learned from the veterans. I learned a lot and tried to soak it all in. I just tried to do the right things and make the right plays.
“I’m still trying to play my own game, work hard and play the best I can. You can’t think about other things,” he said. “This year, I feel I can be more creative and take some chances when I feel I can. I can do more than just chip the puck in and chase it.”
He admitted there are always teams you seem to play better against than others, but he felt it was important for the Hawks to play their own game no matter whom they may be playing against.
“You don’t want to fear a team. There are teams tougher than others. You can play mind games with yourself, and that’s not good. We want to think positive and go into a game feeling good about our chances of winning.”
The Hawks are on the road this weekend to play the Eastman Selects tonight and take on the Central Plains Capitals tomorow night.
