Carlos Verde, Communications Manager
Nepean, Ont. — It wasn’t pretty, but the Hawkesbury Hawks got the job done.
The story of Sunday afternoon’s 5-3 Hawkesbury win in Nepean over the Raiders was a microcosm of the 2017-18 campaign for Rick Dorval’s Hawks, who have raced to a 14-6 record despite not having played a proper home game since Sep. 9.
“It’s unbelievable,” said Dorval, whose team has gone an incredible 11-4 (.733) since their last home game. “The character in that hockey team has been tremendous and part of the reason we’ve had so much success.”
The veteran CCHL bench boss points to a leadership core spearheaded by captain David Jankowski as critical.
“I have to give a lot of credit to Jankowski, getting the boys ready (and) making them understand that we have to make the best of every situation we’ve been given,” continued Dorval. “I can’t take all the credit, he’s been a hell of a leader for us.”
For the Hawks captain, a pure Division-I talent averaging 1.65 points-per-game, it’s all about team.
“It’s kind of banded us together (and) we’re not taking it too seriously,” beamed Jankowski. “It is what it is. We’re trying to make the best of a bad situation right now.”
Dorval’s group has embraced their eviction from the Robert Hartley Complex — along with the rest of the town, due to mould issues — as part of their team identity.
#MouldyHawks has been a recurring theme on social media.
“We’re doing a good job of showing up to play every day, no matter the opponent,” explained Jankowski, who has nine points in his last four games. “It’s that showing up against every team in the league that’s going to make the difference later on (in the) season.”
Though the Hawks still trail Carleton Place and Ottawa by a solid chunk of points, there’s a belief within Dorval’s team that they have the horses to compete with the league’s best.
“I think there’s belief in the whole room that we can be up there with those guys,” said Jankowski. “Those two are the standard at the top of the league, but we’re pushing at the door (and) ready to break in.”
At 14-6, and as the only team to have beaten both C.P. and Ottawa, it’s hard not to believe right along with them — with or without a home arena.
