Bantam Ice Dawgs Nearly Win It

Some of the young blood over at the Valley Event Center rink has been going prime time lately.

The Glasgow Ice Dawg Bantams took their turn at the Montana Amateur Hockey Association Bantam B State Tournament in Havre last weekend, going 2-1-1 to place second after coming in with a 4-11-1 record.

Two weeks earlier, the Pee Wee Dawgs began their state tourney with a 6-10 record and left with the championship trophy after going 5-0.

"We came up a little bit short, but these kids played awesome," Bantam coach Mike Fairclough told The Courier. "I couldn't have asked any more of them."

The U14 Bantam Dawgs, seeded third among four teams in the tourney, were invigorated with the recent infusion of four girls on the roster – Kennedy Schmidt, Heidi Moon, Madison Knodel and Jesi Kennedy – who added roster depth and difference-making contributions.

"I wish they could have been with us all season," Fairclough said. "This team had to go through quite a bit of (challenging) stuff this season. We were low on numbers and sometimes had just seven guys total. At the end of the season, we got some help from the girls. I really want to thank them."

Fairclough also gave a shout out to A.J. Huntzinger, who traveled all season from his Miles City home to be a Bantam Ice Dawg. Another boost of late was Jesse Hystad coming aboard as an assistant coach.

But at State, it was a familiar face who came through again. Ice Dawgs captain Kaden Fossum led the team with eight goals over the weekend. He also assisted on three goals.

"He had a fantastic season all year long," Fairclough said.

At State, the Dawgs actually battled their way to being the top seed in the championship game after doubling up the pre-tourney No. 1 seed Havre Ice Hawks, 8-4, on Saturday night.

"That kind of put us in the driver's seed," Fairclough said. "I had all the confidence in the world that we could pull it off."

However, the Dawgs' reward for their early tournament success was a rematch against the host Hawks in the final at the Havre Ice Dome. The Hawks won, 4-2.

Here's a State recap for the Dawgs.

Glasgow 2, Flathead 1

Britt Fairclough scored in the first period and Fossum in the second (Taylor Johnson assist) to give Glasgow what it needed to beat the No. 2 seed. Colton Pewitt was in the net, stopping 15 of 16 shots.

Glasgow 4, Helena 4

Schmidt's goal (Fossum assist) at 5:24 in the third gave Glasgow the tie with the No. 4 seed. Also scoring were Fossum with two unassisted goals in the first and Heidi Moon (Fossum, Madison Knodel assists) in the third. Pewitt blocked 21 of 25 shots.

Glasgow 8, Havre 4

The offensive explosion in the semifinal began with Fossum and Garrett Lloyd scoring unassisted goals in the first. Scoring in the second were Fossum, Bridger Barnett, Fossum (Barnett assist) and Huntzinger (Knodel assist). Third period goals came from Schmidt (Barnett assist) and Fossum (Schmidt assist).

Pewitt denied 29 of 33 shots.

Havre 4, Glasgow 2

The Dawgs rallied from a 3-0 deficit after two periods with two goals in the third from Barnett (Fossum assist) and Fossum (Knodel, Barnett assists).

Pewitt turned away 28 of 32 shots.