#12 Reg Bowles opening the scoring at 19:33 of the 1st period.

The Charleswood Hawks opened their 2017-18 MMJHL season with a narrow 2-1 victory over the St.Vital Victorias on Sunday night at Eric Coy Arena. After spending a large part of the first period in their own zone, the Hawks were held in the game with numerous saves by goaltender Ben Thorlakson. They finally woke up late in the first with a wrister by #12 Reg Bowles in the final minute of play that beat the Vics Wyatt Emes from the top of the circle. The Vics responded midway through the second period on the powerplay with a marker by Kevin Lamb. The third saw some good, hard back and forth action with the Hawks finally starting to push the play in the later half of the period. A late penalty by the Vics Dylan Torgerson proved all the Hawks needed as Shane Kustra-Nelson scored just 7 seconds into their second chance with the man advantage on the evening at 16:06 of the third. The Vics pulled their goalie late, but the Hawks were able to hold off a late flurry for the victory. With 31 saves for the Hawks, Ben Thorlakson was named the first star of the evening with his counterpart from the Vics, Wyatt Emes taking the second star. Dylan Zeke who assisted on both Charleswood goals was named third star.

The Hawks are back in action on Friday night against the Transcona Railer Express with a later 8:30pm start. Please note the location change! This home game will be held at the St.James Civic Centre due to structural repairs taking place at Eric Coy next week.