Warriors³ fall prey to the Hawks
On Friday 27th February 2026, our development team travelled up to Braehead Arena to take on the Hamilton Hawks in a challenge game.
The two teams had met once previously, on 26th July 2025 when the Warriors closed out their season in style with a hard-fought 6–3 victory. This was sure to be a close game between two evenly matched teams and the guys were excited to play at the Braehead Arena. That said, the team were short-benched and missing quite a few key players, which would add to the challenge ahead.
Dressed players:
Kieran High (NM), Brendan Hullah, Charlie Tang, Craig Baker, Freddy Monk, Gary Clough, Heather McCarten, Dale Bedford, Jonjo Marshall, Joe Quinn, Phil Pearce, Phil Bradley, Rich Guttridge, Stella Giwisser and Zach Huntley.
First period:
Both teams began the game feeling each other out with no immediate chances at either end. But the Hawks were soon on a power-play as the Warriors took a 2 minute minor penalty at 02:37 for hooking. Thankfully, the team were able to kill off the penalty and could now focus on offence.
Predictably, both teams were cancelling each other out. Defences were limiting the number of chances being created and both netminders were also dealing with the incoming shots.
But unfortunately, the Warriors were soon back on the penalty kill, when they took a minor penalty for tripping at 08:57. These penalties were really harming the team’s ability to get settled offensively, but, they did their jobs well and killed this penalty too.
At 12:34 the Hawks took a 2 minute minor penalty for slashing which now gave the Warriors an offensive opportunity - but alas, they could not make the man-advantage count.
But the dead-lock was finally broken at 15:55 when the Hawks took the lead.
This was a real blow to the team, but they continued to battle hard for the remainder of the period.
Hawks 1-0 Warriors
Second period:
The middle frame was a major stalemate as neither team were able to get on the board. In terms of minor penalties - both teams also managed to stay out of the penalty box.
The game continued to be an intense end-to-end affair with both teams trading chances.
Whilst the Warriors searched for that all-important equaliser, the hosts were desperately looking to get that insurance goal.
But it wouldn’t come for either team as they went into the second interval with the score remaining at 1-0.
Hawks 1-0 Warriors
Third period:
After the stalemate of the second period, the final period could not have been much different - this was where all the late drama happened.
On 44 minutes, that man Jonjo Marshall converted to give the Warriors their equalising goal! The assist coming from Phil Pearce. It was now 1-1 and all to play for!
With the wind in their sails, the Warriors pushed forward, looking to get the go-ahead goal. And they got their reward at 50:20 when Dale Bedford pounced to put the Warriors 1-2 ahead.
What a turnaround - and with only 10 minutes of the game remaining, could they hold on and take the win?
The Hawks would have other ideas about this. Never giving up, they pushed hard for the equaliser. Unfortunately, the pressure paid off and at 54:30 they converted, to make it 2-2.
With just over 5 minutes remaining in the game, could either team score and take the win?
Well, at 55:32 the Hawks took a hooking penalty which gave the Warriors an ideal opportunity, but sadly the hosts were able to nullify the tiring Warriors team.
With both teams back to 5v5 at 57:32, it only took the hosts 23 seconds to score what ended up being the game winning goal. At 57:55 the Hawks broke the hearts of the Warriors team by scoring so late in the game, leaving barely any time to strike back.
Also, the Warriors took a minor penalty in the final minute which killed off any offensive ambitions anyway.
Such a shame to lose the game so late on - but what an epic opening 10 minutes of the period. The Warriors really came out swinging and it was a great overall display.
Hawks 3-2 Warriors
Points scorers:
Jonjo Marshall 1+0
Dale Bedford 1+0
Phil Pearce 0+1
Jonjo Marshall
Player of the game
Phil Bradley
Captain’s player of the game
Player of the Game, as selected by the Hawks, went to goal scorer Jonjo Marshall - and the Captain’s Helmet went to Phil Bradley. Well played guys.
Our development team’s next fixture is back in the BOTB Cup. See details below:
Bottom of the Barrel Cup:
Sunday 22nd March 2026
Versus Grimsby Trawlers
Face-off @ TBD
@ Grimsby Ice Rink
For all Warriors development fixtures, please check this page: Fixtures and Results.
