The Heritage Hawks moved to 17-2 with a 4-3 OT win over Hancock and a 3-0 win over Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central.  They currently sit in first place for the Saginaw Valley with two league games remaining and are ranked 6th in division 3.

At this point in the season Heritage has scored 103 goals and allowed just 41 goals for a 2.16 goals per game allowed average.  Much of the Hawks success has been directly related to their smart all around play they get from their defense each game.  This  weekend at the Trenton Showcase proved to be no different for the defense as they were able hold their opponents to just 3 goals over two games. 

When asking Assistant Coach Scott Turner why the team has been so successful this season he felt, "One of the reasons that we’ve had so much success offensively this year is because our defense has been able to create time and space for the forwards, which allows them to attack the offensive zone with speed. We are able to get away with that type of aggressive play because in part because we have three very dependable goaltenders."  Scott also mentioned, "Our mixture of talent and speed on the backend allows us to play a fast pace and aggressive game in all zones, which makes us difficult to play against."

It's a group of seven smart thinking defenseman (Harrison Jesko, John Minnich, Brandon Martin, Nick Alfano, Anthony Pennell, Dalton Norris, and Joe Watson) with an overall GPA of 3.4 that has plenty of academic success as a group.  In addition to the success in the classroom and all the time they spend on the ice, they take part in many other activities and continue to be successful in all areas.

Here is a list of some of defensive players activities and accomplishments for 2015/2016 season:

• Members of the National Honors Society: Harrison Jesko & Nick Alfano
• DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) State Finalists: Brandon Martin & Anthony Pennell
• Nick Alfano 2015 Senior Athlete of the Month Award
• Robotics Team Members:  Harrison Jesko & Nick Alfano
• Harrison Jesko 1st Chair Philharmonic Orchestra

The team looks forward to the remaining games left on the schedule and continue to focus on just one game at a time.

In the most exciting game of the weekend, the Hawks trailed 3-1 in the 3rd period and were able complete a comeback and send the game to a shootout.  It was Clay Charbeneau scoring the Hawks 2nd goal from Spencer Vondette and Mitchell Wise, which completed the momentum this line created for the Hawks.  This line had previously scored two goals that were disallowed by the officials and they were clearly hungry to make one count.

It appeared it was only going to be a matter of time before the Hawks would tie the game until a 5 minute penalty was called on them with just 6 minutes left to go.  Short Handed the Hawks responded though when Hunter Parasiliti and Sam Spaedt applied the pressure off a Hancock defensive zone face off which led to Parasiliti squaring the score at 3.  The game would remain tied and proceeded to a shootout.

In the shootout, the Hawks prevailed when net minder Danny Yockey was able to give the Hawks multiple chances to win the game. It went to the Hawks 6th shooter Zach Dornseifer who answered with a snapshot over the glove for the win.

The next game of the weekend Heritage showed their defensive muscle by winning 3-0 over Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central.  Danny Yockey recorded his 2nd Shut Out of the season stopping all 17 shots he faced on the night.

The game remained scoreless until 7:04 of the 2nd period when Brandon Martin broke the ice with a shot from the point that deflected off a Grand Rapids defender and into the back of the net.  Heritage continued to hold their one goal lead in a tightly contested game where great saves were being made on both ends of the ice until Corbin Bayne provided the insurance goal the Hawks needed at 3:55 of the 3rd period.  The Hawks put a stamp on the game and the weekend with an empty net short handed goal with 1:36 left in the game from Gavin Dietrich.

Next up for Heritage is a Saginaw Valley contest on the road versus Mt. Pleasant on 2/10 at 7pm.