The Notre Dame Hawks battled back twice but ultimately fell 7-5 to the Warren Mercs on Friday night in South Eastern Manitoba Hockey League action.
Rene Hamonic wasn’t sure who he would be cheering for when his two sons laced up their skates to battle it out on opposing teams for the first time in a South Eastern Manitoba Hockey League game in Warren on Jan. 23. Connor Hamonic, a 29-year-old defenceman has been playing for the Notre Dame Hawks since 2021 and before that played for the University of Wisconsin and the Winkler Flyers in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. His brother Justin Hamonic, 31, also a defenceman recently joined the Warren Mercs after playing across Europe for the past eight years and various North American leagues prior to that. Justin’s team emerged victorious with a score of 7-5. He picked up an assist at the end of the third period as teammate Drake Lindsay scored an empty net goal. Pictured left to right: Connor Hamonic, Rene Hamonic and Justin Hamonic
Notre Dame erased an early deficit in the first period, responding to Warren’s opening goal with three straight markers. Sean Christensen scored twice to put the Hawks ahead, before captain Jeff Michiels added a power-play goal midway through the period to give Notre Dame a 3-1 lead. Warren closed the gap late in the frame, sending the teams to the intermission tied 3-3.
The Hawks matched Warren stride for stride in the second period. After the Mercs scored twice early, Notre Dame answered with goals from Eli Carels and Zander Carels to pull even again at 5-5 heading into the third.
Warren struck quickly in the final frame, scoring twice in the opening two minutes to take the lead for good. Notre Dame pressed late, but a power-play goal by the Mercs in the final minute sealed the result.
Christensen led the Hawks with two goals and an assist, while Eli Carels finished with a goal and two assists. Zander Carels added a goal and an assist.
Christopher Lesage faced heavy pressure in the Notre Dame net, making 48 saves in the loss. Travis Bosch earned the win for Warren with 41 saves.
Notre Dame went 1-for-3 on the power play, while Warren converted once on five opportunities.
The Hawks return home Thursday, Jan. 29, to host Ile des Chênes at 8 p.m., followed by a matchup against Winkler on Saturday, Jan. 31, also at 8 p.m.
