The Saugeen Shores Winterhawks served notice to the WOAA Sr. "AA" Hockey League they are for real as they handed a loss to the defending champions on Friday night.
Brent MacDermid scored twice and added an assist as the Winterhawks went into the home of the Clinton Radars and came away with a 5-4 victory.
The Winterhawks struck early, as Michael Johnstone used a skate to beat Clinton netminder Drew Reinhardt at 3:15 of the 1st period, with assists to Matt Shields and Josh Hopkin.
Clinton answered back on the power play at 8:31 of the 1st, with Sean Consitt going coast-to-coast to beat Winterhawks netminder Jeff Flagler to even the score at 1-1.
The Winterhawks poured it on, outshooting Clinton 18-6 in the opening frame, but couldn't beat Reinhardt again as the score remained deadlocked after 20 minutes.
A good start to the period again benefited the Winterhawks, as Connor Patton restored the lead just 2:08 into the middle stanza, with assists to MacDermid and Bryan Kazarian.
The Winterhawks picked up a power play moments later and MacDermid went to work, scoring from Kazarian and Miles MacLean at 4:20 of the 2nd to expand the Winterhawks lead to 3-1.
Josh Deyell picked up his first goal of the season at 15:39 of the 2nd to give the Winterhawks a 4-1 lead, with assists to Trent Hawke and Blake Underwood.
Clinton's Steven Shipley got one back late in the period, as the Winterhawks took a 4-2 lead to the 3rd period.
Coming out quick again paid off for Saugeen Shores, as MacDermid added his second of the night at 5:04 of the 3rd, with assists to MacLean and Hopkin to give the Winterhawks a 5-2 lead.
The Radars flexed their muscle and quickly reminded the vistors of their skill as Kurtis Bartliff made it 5-3 at 7:30 of the 3rd, followed by Consitt at 9:52 as Clinton got to within one.
Clinton poured it on late, but Flagler held up strong as the Winterhawks battled to keep the Radars from tying the game.
Andy Mitchell was whistled for high-sticking with 29-seconds remaining, but even with six-on-four advantage with Reinhardt pulled, the Winterhawks shut the door at preserved the 5-4 victory.
The win moves the Winterhawks to 3-0-0 on the season, and they will put that perfect record on the line tonight [Saturday] as they head to Shallow Lake to face the Crushers at 8:30 p.m.
with files from winterhawks.net
