By Darryl G. Smart
Tyler Matthews picked a fine time to have himself a game.
Matthews scored twice, including the game-winner in double overtime, leading the Hagersville Minor Hockey Association Hawks to a 2-1 win over the Aylmer Flames to capture the International Silver Stick bantam C title.
Winning the International Silver Stick title exacted a bit of revenge for the Hawks, who lost about a month ago to their Southern Counties Minor Hockey League rivals in the Watford Silver Stick Regional final.
The Hawks kicked the International Silver Stick Finals in Forest, with a 5-1 victory over the Shallow Lake Lakers on Friday morning. Later that day, the Hawks defeated the Douro Dukes 3-2.
With a ton of momentum their way, which included a recent sweep of the Six Nations Blackhawks in the first round of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association banatm C playdowns, the Hawks rolled through Saturday’s portion of the tourney. First, they blanked the Lambton shores Predators 7-0, before handing the Strongville Mustangs a 5-1 loss. That victory set up the date in the final with the Flames.
After the Hawks won the final, the tournament announced its All-Star team, and the Hawks dominated that as well. Austin Topp was named top goalie, while Zach Burman was top forward, and Hunter Gallagher earned top defenceman honours. The Flames’ Ryan Adams was also named top defencemen, while Tyler Dessarano was named top forward.
With the International Silver Stick title in tote, the Hawks await its second round opponent in the OMHA playdowns, which is either the Delhi Rockets, or the Flames.
The Rockets lead that best-of-six point series 6-1, with Game 4 Thursday in Aylmer at 7:15pm.