Golden Hawks look to rebound from losses

By Sean Macey

It’s not often an 11-1-1 team has soul-searching to do, but the lack of success lately has led to some sombre moods for the Trenton Golden Hawks.

Trenton started off the season strong, winning its first 11 games. Since then the Hawks have experienced some difficulties.

The Golden Hawks lost a tough game to the St. Michael’s Buzzers 2-1 on Saturday night in Cobourg in the Ontario Junior Hockey League College Showcase.

Chase Nieuwendyk, nephew of National Hockey League Hall of Famer Joe Nieuwendyk, scored the lone goal for the Hawks.

The Golden Hawks personnel wasn’t happy with the job by the referees.

“I was a little bit disappointed with the officiating. We had two goals called back, and when you look at the replay, one of the goals was a good goal. The referee was out of position,” said John McDonald, president and assistant general manager of the Golden Hawks.

Trenton went on to lose again Tuesday night against the Peterborough Lift Lock Stars.

The losses have certainly affected the moods of the players.

“It was really funny; we feed the boys on the bus after the games. And usually they’re gobbling up the food like mad men, last night, no, there was a lot of soul searching. There was a lot of just sitting back, reflecting on what’s happened, and [we] realized we have to start all over again,” said McDonald after the loss.

“They know they are a good hockey club, they know that they are one of the best teams in the country, but they have to play 60 minutes every game.”

McDonald said Coach Jerome Dupont will address the issues the team is having Wednesday at the team meetings and in practice.

Despite the losses no changes are forthcoming.

“I think it was just a couple of bad games. Nothing needs to change. The systems work, the players are there. I think it was just a couple of bad games. Every team goes through them; unfortunately for us we had them back-to-back.

Just last week the Golden Hawks were rated number two in Canada among Canadian junior hockey teams in the top-20 rankings. Only the Cornwall Colts, who have also slipped, were ranked higher. Since Saturday’s loss the Hawks have slipped to third. The top two spots now belong to the Winkler Flyers and Woodstock Slammers.

“I think the one thing is they have to stop reading the press clippings, which they have done. The bus ride home last night from Peterborough was very subdued, very quiet,” said McDonald.

The Golden Hawks have good news as they have Wednesday and Thursday off to regain composure going into their home game against the Vaughan Vipers on Friday. The Vipers go into the game with a 4-6-2 record. Trenton is currently tied with Cobourg for first in the East Division despite playing two fewer games thus far.