River Hawks Rewind - 12.9.25

River Hawks Fans,

Here’s your weekly recap of the team’s weekend performance. Inside, you’ll find how our recent games compare to our season averages, key takeaways, and a message about Setting the Standard.

The River Hawks battled the Utah Outliers in a challenging back-to-back this past weekend. A 5–1 loss at home on 12/5 and a 3–0 loss on the road on 12/6. Despite the results, the two-game set provided clear benchmarks against one of the league’s biggest overall teams in relation to height and weight— and highlighted specific areas of growth relative to our season averages:

Season Averages:

This weekend, all major categories, except shots against per game, dipped below expected River Hawks standards — giving the group a clear roadmap as we enter the next stretch of games.

Weekend Themes and Takeaways:

1. Defense & Shot Suppression Improved

Across two games, the River Hawks allowed only 24 shots per game, comfortably better than the season average of 30.62. Structure, shot-blocking, and caring for the puck protection trended upward. The deviation from the team’s identity on Friday night was quickly corrected on Saturday as odd-man rushes were significantly reduced.

2. Special Teams Decided the Series

GJ PP: 1-for-12 (8.3%) vs. season 15.79%

GJ PK: 4-for-6 (66.7%) vs. season 83.7%

Utah won the special-teams battle by a wide margin.

3. Scoring Dried Up

Only 1 goal in two games, compared to a season average of 3.15 GF/GP.Even-strength production — normally a team strength — totaled 0 ES goals on the weekend vs. a season average of 2.58 ES GF per game.

This weekend provided a clear benchmark. Utah is a disciplined, strong, and big opponent — and these games revealed exactly where the River Hawks must elevate to continue Setting the Standard:

• Winning the special-teams battle

• Finishing scoring chances

• Consistent play with the puck

• Consistency with their Defense Create Offense identity

• Owning the details that define Be a Young Pro habits

The defensive strides from Friday to Saturday are meaningful. The next step is pairing that with consistent offensive execution and special-teams sharpness.

Looking Ahead:

The River Hawks will return to action with a renewed focus on process, details, and elevating habits across all 60 minutes this Friday night as they head to Rock Springs. This group has already shown the ability to bounce back — and this upcoming week is about resetting, retooling, and raising the bar.