On Saturday, Dec. 9, the Francis Howell North Knights varsity hockey team took on the Francis Howell Vikings, where both teams fought hard throughout the game. Compared to other games, both Howell and Howell North played well on the defensive side of the puck. The Knights’ offense had their issues, however, which could be as a result of the team missing six key players.

In the opening minutes of the first period, there was strong play from both teams, until the offense of Howell penetrated the defense of FHN. The first goal for FHHS was scored in the first five minutes of the first period. In the first period, FHN stood in their own way in an attempt to bring the puck to the front.   

“I think that if we had our whole team present and healthy this could have been a completely different game,” Blaine Longmore said, who got hurt in the last game against the Francis Howell Vikings on 11/04.”

The second period started off well for both teams. While the Knights were able to get stronger on defense, they realized that the Vikings were getting powerful and a bit more aggressive. The Vikings were finding their way through the Knights’ defense and scored a goal in the middle of the second period. The Knights realized how serious the Vikings had gotten and took all the hope they still had to build up the defense and defend the own goal. The second period ended with a score of 2-0 in favor of Francis Howell.

“I’m proud that my boys didn’t gave up. Im proud because they played hard until the final buzzer even though we went down 3-1,” Longmore said.

Francis Howell North got off to another strong start in the third period, with good defensive acts and a strong offense. However, the offense of Francis Howell also grew and got stronger. FHN’s goaltender stayed strong and blocked some good shots from Francis Howell. At the end of the third period, Francis Howell North scored their first and only goal in this game. The game ended with a score from 3-1 for the Vikings. The Knights’ next game will be on Dec. 22 against Holt.