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Blackhawks – League and Playoff Champs!
	The Richmond Blackhawks skated onto the RIC Pond for the potential final game of the best of three RIHL Final playoffs. Two nights earlier, the Hawks had defeated the Raiders 4-3. From the opening whistle, the Hawks took a territorial advantage with puck possession from defense to forwards passing. The chances came early and the Hawks got the important first goal off the blueline shot of Razor Jung. The Hawks net presence provided an effective screen for this goal. Only five minutes later, the Blackhawks went up 2-0 when Jeff Overgaard’s point shot caught the corner of the net through a maze of players. The Raiders were determined to come back, and their feisty crew led by captain, Ken Mattice did not stop skating and pushing the game. On several occasions, the Hawks threatened to open up the game with more goals, but were not able to capitalize. Despite a lengthy two-man advantage power-play in the second period, the Raiders held strong and the gap remained at two goals.
The Raiders got a two on one break and cut the lead in half with Dave Hoglund goal on a redirect from a Tim Webber feed. Early in the third, the Raiders tied the game at 2-2 when Webber banged in a rebound off the offensive pressure Jeff Morrow and Bojan Savric. The third period play saw chances at both ends. The sturdy defense of Clint McLean, Leo Nicolaas, Razor Jung and Jeff Overgaard gave their goalie, Bobby Kohut the opportunity to collect most shots from the perimeter. As the final period wound down, the three sets of wingers helped keep the Hawks skating; with Dereck Hamada and Rob Hofmann, Don Taylor and Chad Ekren, and Spencer Ward and Brad Swanson. The duo centremen, Chad Wilson and Steve Howitt managed the extensive ice time while playing with a rolling set of wingers. The game was almost won with five minutes left, when Taylor chipped a pass up to Chad Ekren who had to be hauled down for a penalty. On the ensuing power play, the Big Line of Wilson, Ward and Swanson sent the puck all over the offensive zone, until big Leo Nicolaas stepped up into the slot, and released a low shot which eluded the Raiders goalie and gave the Hawks the 3-2 lead. The energized Hawks kept the Raiders away from any clear chances for the final 4 minutes, and earned the win. The Blackhawks followed up their first place award from a 20-4-4 record with four straight playoff wins to collect – for the second straight year – Top Team in the RIHL. The Blackhawks will collect the hardware at Tuesday nights’ League Awards Night at Stanley’s. << BACK TO RIHL

Blackhawks – League and Playoff Champs!

The Richmond Blackhawks skated onto the RIC Pond for the potential final game of the best of three RIHL Final playoffs. Two nights earlier, the Hawks had defeated the Raiders 4-3. From the opening whistle, the Hawks took a territorial advantage with puck possession from defense to forwards passing. The chances came early and the Hawks got the important first goal off the blueline shot of Razor Jung. The Hawks net presence provided an effective screen for this goal. Only five minutes later, the Blackhawks went up 2-0 when Jeff Overgaard’s point shot caught the corner of the net through a maze of players.

The Raiders were determined to come back, and their feisty crew led by captain, Ken Mattice did not stop skating and pushing the game. On several occasions, the Hawks threatened to open up the game with more goals, but were not able to capitalize. Despite a lengthy two-man advantage power-play in the second period, the Raiders held strong and the gap remained at two goals.

The Raiders got a two on one break and cut the lead in half with Dave Hoglund goal on a redirect from a Tim Webber feed. Early in the third, the Raiders tied the game at 2-2 when Webber banged in a rebound off the offensive pressure Jeff Morrow and Bojan Savric.

The third period play saw chances at both ends. The sturdy defense of Clint McLean, Leo Nicolaas, Razor Jung and Jeff Overgaard gave their goalie, Bobby Kohut the opportunity to collect most shots from the perimeter.

As the final period wound down, the three sets of wingers helped keep the Hawks skating; with Dereck Hamada and Rob Hofmann, Don Taylor and Chad Ekren, and Spencer Ward and Brad Swanson. The duo centremen, Chad Wilson and Steve Howitt managed the extensive ice time while playing with a rolling set of wingers.

The game was almost won with five minutes left, when Taylor chipped a pass up to Chad Ekren who had to be hauled down for a penalty. On the ensuing power play, the Big Line of Wilson, Ward and Swanson sent the puck all over the offensive zone, until big Leo Nicolaas stepped up into the slot, and released a low shot which eluded the Raiders goalie and gave the Hawks the 3-2 lead. The energized Hawks kept the Raiders away from any clear chances for the final 4 minutes, and earned the win.

The Blackhawks followed up their first place award from a 20-4-4 record with four straight playoff wins to collect – for the second straight year – Top Team in the RIHL.

The Blackhawks will collect the hardware at Tuesday nights’ League Awards Night at Stanley’s.

<< BACK TO RIHL