Hawks Win Big in the Battle of State Ranked Teams

Wes Vork-NSO

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Jan 11

Wes Vork-NSO

HERMANTOWN – In one of their biggest tests of the season the Hermantown boys hockey team came through with flying colors. The Hawks dismantle the Grand Rapids Thunderhawks by a 5-1 score as Garret Skrbich pumped in four goals for Hermantown.

“He has been playing big for us,” said Hawks coach Bruce Plante following the game of Skrbich. “He provides great leadership with us having a young team and he played great tonight. He really plays big in big games.”

The teams split goals in the first period with Skrbich scoring at 5:25 for Hermantown and Jace Luoma finding the back of the net at 13:39 for the Thunderhawks.

The Hawks pulled away in the second period when they scored three goals in a span of less than four minutes to take a 4-1 lead. Skrbich scored at 3:32 from Chris Benson, at 5:00 it was Jesse Dyson from Joe Hicks and at the 7:00 mark it was Skrbich bringing the hats on the ice with an unassisted goal.

“The score was surprising, the pucks bounced our way tonight,” explained coach Plante. “This was a big win for us because they are one of the best teams on our schedule.”

After the game Skrbich said it was no one thing in particular that created the offensive explosion. “We really went after the “D” hard. It was Hermantown hockey, rush at high speed and get on the defense early, which helps create opportunities.”

Throughout the game the Hawks continually frustrated Grand Rapids by beating them to passing lanes and disrupting the Thunderhawk offense.

While the Hawks were playing well on offense they were also getting a strong game between the pipes from goalie Connor Lucas who finished with 31 saves.

“Fundamentally he is so solid,” mentioned Plante about Lucas. “He doesn’t give up a lot of net even though he is fairly small. He is such a wonderful kid, the kind everyone wants to root for and have succeed.”

The lone goal of the final period was scored at 8:41 by Skrbich with the assists going to Jared Thomas and Andrew Mattson.

Wes Vork can be reached at wes@northlandsportsonline.com