Worth The Wait - Hawks On Top Of SEMHL Once Again

The twelve-year wait is over. 

The Notre Dame Hawks beat the Portage Islanders in game seven of the South Eastern Manitoba Hockey League's final 7-2 to capture the team's first championship in over a decade.

"It's my first year with the team," said Notre Dame forward Matt Gingera. "Regardless it feels great, but it's nice seeing guys like Cha Cha, Clark, all the Chanel's and everyone else in the organization hoist that cup. It feels good seeing the smiles on their faces."

Gingera scored his first of four goals of game seven to put the home team up 1-0. Before the first was over the Hawks would find the back of the net again as captain Steve Clark beat Islanders goaltender Mitch Wiebe, who made 28 saves in the loss. 

"I thought we actually came out pretty strong and we had a really good opportunity to go up early on that power play, we were all over them, but couldn't bury," shared Portage captain Anders Strome. "I think we kind of lost momentum after that and the wheels kind of fell off from there."

The second period featured the Hawks taking advantage on the power play. Gingera tallied the only even strength goal of the frame with Clark and Brody Chabbert picking up the assists on the play. After Kyle Lopez was assessed a five-minute major penalty for cross checking, Notre Dame's power play went to work. Gingera completed the hat-trick, Colin Fay, and Jason Yuel also scored on the man advantage to put the Hawks up 6-0 after forty minutes of play.

Notre Dame continued to push forward and Gingera found twine for the fourth time.

"I've actually been struggling all of the playoffs, coming off an injury. I had a busy weekend of hockey with this and another series for the Allan Cup," said Gingera. "A day off yesterday kind of helped me out and I had fresh legs somewhat today. Obviously, it paid off for me."

Portage showed tremendous character and didn't quit. Tanner Waldvogel broke Brett Timmerman's shutout bid with 8:17 left to play in the third with a great show over the shoulder of Timmerman. Shortly after, the Islanders would receive a power play and made no mistake. It only took eight seconds for Jordyn Boyd to slap home Portage's second goal of the game after some nice passing from Eric Delong and Waldvogel. 

"I really think we could've been in that game if a couple of bounces went differently," said Delong. "We seem to be a momentum team all year. We went on long winning streaks and long losing streaks. Once we got up in games it seemed to fuel us more. I think not getting out to an early lead and them getting that lead was a big factor."

After backstopping his team to a 7-2 win with a 23 save performance, Timmerman got some even better news, he was named the playoff MVP.

"I think it's a team award more than anything," attributed Timmerman. In the defensive zone, they let me see the puck and I was able to do my job. So, I give it to the team."

Up next for the Hawks is a chance to be crowned Senior "A" Provincial Champions with the winner hoisting the Manitoba Cup.