Bantams Dominate State Tournament,

Winning a championship is sweet. Winning on your home pond is sweeter.

The Glasgow Bantam Ice Dawgs hosted the MAHA State Tournament March 8-10 at the Valley Event Center and dominated the event, finishing 5-0.

Pool play began Friday and Saturday, and continued into Sunday morning, followed by the consolation and championship games later that morning.

For Glasgow, competition began Friday at 7 a.m. when they were matched up against the Butte Copper City Kings. Although it pitted the top ranked Ice Dawgs against the lowest-ranked team in the tourney, the game was competitive.

Glasgow was able to score the first goal just 47 seconds into the game when Colter Barnett dumped the puck into the net unassisted. Less than a minute later, Michael Hoyer lit up the scoreboard with an unassisted goal of his own.

With the first penalty of the game, Peyton Smith made a statement with a checking-from-behind infraction midway through the period. Although penalties and physical contact are an exciting part of the game, some infractions are especially frowned-upon, and this one earned Smith 10 minutes in the sin bin.

The Ice Dawgs were able to kill the penalty however, and both teams were at full-strength when Butte scored their first goal of the game, 12:27 minutes into the contest. Finishing off the first period, Glasgow's Trevor Dulaney hit the back of the net off an assist from Hoyer, followed by another unassisted score from Hoyer just a little more than a minute later. The first period ended with the Ice Dawgs on top 4-1.

The second period of the game began with another immediate goal from the Ice Dawgs when Hoyer secured a hat-trick with the help of Dulaney 22 seconds after the teams met at center ice. The Kings struggled to penetrate Glasgow's defense, but were able to poke one in at the nine-minute mark. Tatum Hansen answered back near the end of the period with an unassisted goal that brought the score to 6-2 before the break.

Butte returned to the ice with renewed determination and were able to score two consecutive goals on Glasgow's netminder Aiden Wilkowski before Dulaney sent another one between the pipes with the assist going to Hansen. The Ice Dawgs notched their first win of the weekend with the 7-4 win over Butte.

Opening ceremonies for the tourney were held Friday at 5:30 p.m. with strobe lights and smoke enhancing the production. Following the introduction of the teams, Summer Strommen delighted the crowd with the National Anthem.

It was nearly 12 hours after their first game of the tournament when the Ice Dawgs returned to the ice to take on their second opponent of the weekend, the Bozeman Ice Dogs. The game began at 7 p.m., and quickly became a display of excellent teamwork and precise skating by Glasgow. The Ice Dawgs scored three times in the first period with Hoyer and Hansen both finding the back of the net unassisted, and Lex Fairclough bringing the period to an end with a goal off an assist by Barnett.

Bozeman amped up their defense in the next period, denying any scoring by Glasgow until late in the period when Barnett scored with an assist from Hansen at 14:21, and another by Hansen at 14:49 with help from Hoyer and Smith.

It was more of the same for Glasgow in the third period as the Ice Dawgs scored three consecutive goals within 30 seconds. Zevin Kummerfeldt started the scoring streak with a power-play goal off a pass from Dulaney. Barnett secured a hat-trick when he scored the two remaining goals of the game for Glasgow – the first off an assist by Hansen, and the second unassisted.

Midway through the final period of the contest, the Ice Dawgs were on top 8-0, and Wilkowski had his eye on a shut-out against Bozeman. The shut-out would be denied, however, when the Ice Dogs managed to score their only goal of the contest at 10:50, bringing the score to the final 8-1.

Although none of them were game-changing, the game was sprinkled with minor infractions from both benches.

The tournament began on the second day with another round of pool play with the teams re-seeded by Friday's pool-play points.

Glasgow was set to face off against Miles City at 10:30 a.m. Out of the nine teams, the Miles City Generals entered the tournament ranked fifth, and they provided some good competition for Glasgow in the match-up.

Barnett recorded his second hat-trick of the weekend in the game against the Generals, beginning with his first goal, unassisted, with nine-and-a-half minutes remaining in the first period. It was the only goal in the first period for either team as the Ice Dawgs held off Miles City with a solid defensive effort.

Following a minor penalty by Miles City that initiated a power play for Glasgow, Fairclough found the back of the net assisted by Barnett and Hansen. The Generals answered almost immediately with an even-strength goal before Barnett scored his second of the game with 12:26 minutes left in the period.

At the whistle, going into the final period, Glasgow was up 3-1 over the Generals.

The final period of the game was a flurry of scoring as neither team was willing to fall short of the win. The Ice Dawgs scored two in-a-row with Fairclough finding the back of the net for his second goal of the game off a pass from Kummerfeldt, and Jackson Bishop lighting up the scoreboard with the assist going to Smith. The Generals answered back with two goals of their own – one on a power play while Hoyer served two minutes for using his elbow.

Barnett boosted Glasgow's lead with his third goal of the game, assisted by Hoyer after he returned to the game. Although Miles City was able to answer with yet another goal with just minutes left in the contest, it wasn't enough to secure the win and the Ice Dawgs skated off the ice with their third win, 6-4.

In their final game of the second day, Glasgow faced the Ice Hawks from Havre. While Havre was able to deny Wilkowski yet another shut-out when they scored in the first period, it would be the only time they would find the back of the net, and Glasgow secured an impressive 12-1 win. Scoring for Glasgow in the first period were Hoyer with two unassisted goals, and Barnett with two goals, assisted once by Dylan Hlad and once by Hoyer.

Barnett began the second period with a hat-trick goal assisted by Hansen. Smith added to the score with the assist going to Fairclough, and Hoyer closed the period with an unassisted goal.

Glasgow came on even stronger in the final period, scoring five more times. Barnett achieved his second hat-trick of the game with one unassisted and with assists going to Hoyer and Hansen, and Hansen for his final two goals. Hansen put two in between the pipes himself, with two unassisted goals of his own. The game was light on penalties, with just five total minor infractions called during the contest.

Undefeated so far in the tournament, Glasgow had four wins under their belt when they hit the ice on Sunday to face off against the Flathead Fusion for the state title.

The Fusion entered the tournament ranked number three, and would prove to be worthy of that ranking. The championship game began at 1:15 p.m., and by the end of the contest, Glasgow had displayed their versatility and incredible perseverance. For the first time of the weekend, the Ice Dawgs did not score the first goal of the game. Flathead denied any offensive effort by Glasgow for the entire first period, killing one penalty and capitalizing on the shift of power by scoring the only goal.

In the second period, Glasgow showed determination as Hoyer scored on a power play assisted by Fairclough. The victory was short-lived, however, as the Fusion scored following a flurry of activity in the crease of Glasgow's net, assisted by the slow whistle of the nearby official. Frustrations were also high, as Glasgow served more penalty minutes in the second period than at any other time in the tournament. Dulaney earned the most minutes with a checking-from-behind infraction that landed him in the sin bin for 10 minutes and some words of advice from the official. The Ice Dawgs were able to kill the penalty without any undesirable consequences.

Entering the third period, tensions were high and nerves were showing. The Ice Dawgs were in unfamiliar territory as they trailed 1-2 and were struggling to make an impact offensively. As the minutes ticked away on the clock, Glasgow was facing possible defeat and Flathead appeared relaxed and confident. That confidence was shattered when Barnett dumped the puck into the back of Fusion's net off a pass from Hoyer, knotting the game up, 2-2. The remaining eight minutes of the game seemed more like 18 as Flathead continued with their impenetrable defense and the Ice Dawgs were sent to the penalty box for a pair of minor infractions.

The game seemed destined for overtime as the clock wound down, but with their perseverance and teamwork showing, Glasgow gained control of the puck and tipped the score in their favor with an unassisted goal by Hansen. It would be the goal that won the game for the home team. In an effort to make their own statement, Flathead pulled their goalie in the final seconds and the Ice Dawgs were forced to play five on six. The Ice Dawgs put up a brick wall, however, and denied any efforts by the Fusion to put the biscuit in the net.

The game came to an end with Glasgow on top 3-2. Following a brief but substantial celebration by the Ice Dawgs, the teams congratulated each other and trophies were awarded.

While Barnett, Hansen and Hoyer were the obvious offensive triple-threat of the tournament, scoring a combined 28 of the 36 goals in five games and 15 of the 23 assists, and Wilkowski dominated in the net with an 87 percent save rate, it is obvious that the Ice Dawgs are a team that relies on each other and everybody's strengths. Each player contributed offensively and defensively, and each player celebrated their teammate's individual successes.

The win added yet another banner to the several already on display at the Valley Event Center, and another trophy to the custom-built trophy case in the upstairs viewing area.

More than that, however, it solidified the success of Hi-Line Youth Hockey for another season, strengthened the bonds of the hockey families, and provided countless memories for players and fans alike.

Congratulations on your state championship Bantam Ice Dawgs!

Game #1 – 3-8-19 - 7 a.m.

Glasgow 7, Butte 4

Period 1

Goals: Colter Barnett, unassisted; Michael Hoyer, unassisted; Trevor Dulaney assisted by Michael Hoyer; Michael Hoyer, unassisted.

Penalties: Peyton Smith, two minutes and ten minutes, checking from behind and game misconduct.

Period 2

Goals: Michael Hoyer assisted by Trevor Dulaney; Tatum Hansen, unassisted.

Penalties: Lex Fairclough, two minutes, hooking.

Period 3

Goals: Trevor Dulaney assisted by Tatum Hansen (power play).

Penalties: Lex Fairclough, two minutes, unsportsmanlike conduct; Sam Knierim, two minutes, tripping; Jackson Bishop, two minutes, interference; Jackson Bishop, two minutes, interference.

In the net: Aiden Wilkowski – 22 saves.

Game #2 – 3-8-19 – 7 p.m.

Glasgow 8, Bozeman 1

Period 1

Goals: Michael Hoyer, unassisted; Tatum Hansen, unassisted (short-handed); Lex Fairclough assisted by Colter Barnett.

Penalties: Peyton Smith, two minutes, roughing.

Period 2

Goals: Colter Barnett assisted by Tatum Hansen; Tatum Hansen assisted by Michael Hoyer and Peyton Smith.

Penalties: Michael Hoyer, two minutes, roughing; Lex Fairclough, two minutes, too many men on the ice.

Period 3

Goals: Zevin Kummerfeldt assisted by Trevor Dulaney (power play): Colter Barnett assisted by Tatum Hansen; Colter Barnett, unassisted.

Penalties: Lex Fairclough, two minutes, cross-checking.

In the net: Aiden Wilkowski – 20 saves.

Game # 3 – 3-9-19 – 10:30 a.m.

Glasgow 6, Miles City 4

Period 1

Goals: Colter Barnett, unassisted.

Penalties: Lex Fairclough, two minutes, interference.

Period 2

Goals: Lex Fairclough assisted by Colter Barnett and Tatum Hansen (power play); Colter Barnett, unassisted.

Penalties: 0

Period 3

Goals: Lex Fairclough assisted by Zevin Kummerfeldt; Jackson Bishop assisted by Peyton Smith; Colter Barnett assisted by Michael Hoyer.

Penalties: Michael Hoyer, two minutes, elbowing.

In the net: Aiden Wilkowski – 14 saves.

Game #4 – 3-9-19 – 8:15 p.m.

Glasgow 12, Havre 1

Period 1

Goals: Michael Hoyer, unassisted; Colter Barnett assisted by Dylan Hlad; Colter Barnett assisted by Michael Hoyer; Michael Hoyer, unassisted.

Penalties: 0

Period 2

Goals: Colter Barnett assisted by Tatum Hansen; Peyton Smith assisted by Lex Fairclough (power play); Michael Hoyer, unassisted.

Penalties: Zevin Kummerfeldt, two minutes, tripping; Trevor Dulaney, two minutes, roughing.

Period 3

Goals: Colter Barnett, unassisted; Colter Barnett assisted by Michael Hoyer and Tatum Hansen; Tatum Hansen, unassisted; Colter Barnett assisted by Tatum Hansen; Tatum Hansen, unassisted.

Penalties: Tatum Hansen, two minutes, high-sticking.

In the net: Aiden Wilkowski – 4 saves.

Game #5 – 3-10-19 – 1:15 p.m. (Championship)

Glasgow 3, Flathead 2

Period 1

Goals: 0

Penalties: Michael Hoyer, two minutes, interference.

Period 2

Goals: Michael Hoyer assisted by Lex Fairclough (power play).

Penalties: Trevor Dulaney, two minutes and ten minutes, checking from behind and game misconduct; Michael Hoyer, two minutes, interference; Tatum Hansen, two minutes, kneeing.

Period 3

Goals: Colter Barnett assisted by Michael Hoyer; Tatum Hansen, unassisted.

Penalties: Tatum Hansen, two minutes, high-sticking; Trevor Dulaney, two minutes, hooking.

In the net: Aiden Wilkowski – 22 saves.