Determined to make an impact in the English National Ice Hockey League (North Division 1), the Hawks put down an early marker on Humberside, beating the Kingston Jets 5-4 in a real edge-of-the-seat encounter.
After a slow start, the Hawks trailed 1-0 at the end of the first period, after goal-minder Adam Baxendale was deceived by an unlucky bounce.
However, determined not to be bullied, the visitors then dug deep and hit back courtesy of goals from player-coach Wayne Slater and Chris Arnone, before the Jets made it 2-2 at the end of the second period.
Slater then restored the Hawks’ advantage in the third period following a neat interchange with Dave Meikle, only for the Jets to equalise once again.
However, the Hawks were in no mood to be denied and, despite a flurry of penalties against them, they raced into a 5-3 lead thanks to a sublime finish from Anthony Kinder and a slick breakaway from Rick Bentham.
Even a late goal from the Jets failed to ruffle the Hawks’ feathers as they held on for a memorable opening day victory.
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