A Cold December Night for Black Hawk

Travis Triplett

  The Black Hawk Ice Hawks gave everything they had for two games in December, but they were unable to get the goodies in their stocking that hung over the fireplace,

  ZipTek defeated the Ice Hawks 5-4 in a wild game that wouldn't be decided until the final three minutes. Black Hawk gave the opposition (currently at the top of the C2 standings) a tough time and then some.

  ZipTek blasted the Black Hawk defense with three goals in the first period, with two of them coming in a thirty-second span.  They had a seemingly comfortable advantage even though Jeremy Neal scored an unassisted goal. However, with just 2:46 remaining, Garrett Ladd shot the puck from the high slot, and it ricocheted off of Mike Wanner's stick and into the ZipTek net. Adam Carr would show some sweet stick handling just eighty seconds later. A nice pass by Tim Staples set up a score that had the goalie whispering sweet nothings to himself. It is also one of the rare times that "Adam Carr" and "sweet stick handling" could be mentioned in the same sentence.

  "Now that I scored, it's time to drill somebody," said Carr as he displayed his trademark mischievous grin. He not only got his wish, but he also earned a two-minute spell in what is now called the "five dollar bin" for Black Hawk.

  The second period featured one man for ZipTek that had the Ice Hawks and Chris "Roach" Edinger gritting their teeth in disgust. It may be the Christmas season, but to Rob McNamera of ZipTek, everyday is Father's Day!He's the player that has "YERDADDY" embroidered on the back of his jersey.He broke into the Black Hawk zone and found the dreaded five hole. As Roach fished the vulcanized rubber out of his cage and felt the pain of Pedro Martinez (formerly of the Boston Red Sox), McNamera did a little celebration that was louder than any tie he ever received.

  "He calls himself YERDADDY. I'd like to see him slash me in my crease again. I'll be more than happy to show him who his daddy is," said Roach.

  Black Hawk would rally in the third when Staples tipped in another nice shot by Ladd from the same position as before. Looks like nobody fears the third line…and they are paying dearly for it. Just when Black Hawk thought they had the upper hand, ZipTek scored with 2:48 left in regulation to seal the game. Black Hawk, though, had nothing to be ashamed of. They had gone toe to toe with the division's first place team.

  "It was one of our best efforts of the season. This is a very competitive division and the level of play is the highest we have encountered as a team," said Ladd. "This team is totally committed and playing hard each and every game. The wins will come."

  The Black Hawk Ice Hawks will not return to the ice until January 9th. Have a safe and happy holiday and we will see you in 2005!