COLUMBUS, OH - The CAHL's top two teams battled their way through 36 minutes of action Friday, with the second place Big Pucks notching a critical 2-1 victory over the first place Arrowhawks. It was the first regulation loss for the Hawks in 15 games, dating back to last session. The Pucks came from behind earlier in the session to defeat the Hawks in an overtime shootout behind Mike Letizia's three goal performance.
It was apparent early this was going to be a back and forth affair. The Arrowhawks led the league in scoring (50) and goal differential (+24) entering the contest but the Big Pucks iced the league's best defensive tandem with Mike Letizia and Tommy Parker III. Scoring was going to tough to come by for both teams as each squad had a stellar netminder manning the pipes.
The game was scoreless through two periods. Pucks forward Bryan 'Ginger Wizard' Wharton did his usual thing, carrying the puck and setting up scoring chances with brilliant passes. Arrowhawks second line of Monahan, Morgan and Griffith -- filling in for usual linemate Jason Torsok -- also had opportunities early, but were turned away by Pucks goalie Jamie 'Freakin' Santho and his cool goalie mask.
"Santho was good early," said first line winger Oleg 'Epic Win' Chetverikov. "We cycled low and worked the walls to get space, but their defense is solid and when we had chances Santho stoned us."
Not even Rick Titus and all his incredible offensive skill could crack the cool goaltender.
"Titus scored early last time we faced the Hawks," said Santho after the contest. "I wasn't used to the speed of his shot last game. It's something I haven't seen since mini mite hockey, the slow deceptive pace and rolling puck action, but I made adjustments this week in practice by having my 6 year-old nephew shoot on me."
"I had a great chance on the first shift just like last game, but Freakin' Santho was like a giant stone wall and easily fought it off," admitted Titus, the portly bald winger.
The Arrowhawks were missing three of their regular skaters, Mac Lawless, Nick Lanctot and Jason Torsok. Filling in for the Hawks were Nate Mensel, Bryce "I'm #36" Griffith and G. Ted Bulwinkle. Each skated well for the Hawks, displaying poise with the puck and nice passing through the neutral zone and in transition.
The Hawks found themselves in trouble late in the first period after back to back penalties gave the Big Pucks a man advantage. But the Hawks defense tightened into a semi box, sometime triangle, occasional umbrella and killed both penalties. Arrowhawk goalie Jason Jensen was brilliant once again, thwarting 8 shots including a brilliant glove save on Wharton.
"We knew if we were going to win tonight we'd have to match the Pucks speed," said Arrowhawk captain Mark Monahan. "The penalties were our undoing early and we payed for it later in the game" added the disappointed playmaker.
The Pucks had a two man advantage late in the second period but couldn't capitalize. "Jensen is one of the best goalie's in the league and he proved why tonight," said Mike Letizia, the Pucks brilliantly skilled offensive defenseman. It was clear both teams were going to need to dig extra deep for a win.
And that's just what the Pucks did in the third.
"I really think it came down to their defenseman just taking over the game," said Hawk winger Tom Morgan. "They isolated our defense on the rush and were determined to drive the net on Jay."
The first goal of the night came at 10:33 in the third when Bryan Wharton carried the puck and releasing one his lightning wristers from inside the face-off dot, just over Jensen's glove. The Hawks forwards were late on the backcheck and defeneman Mike Gauthier was stuck in transition.
Nearly two minutes later the game was tied again when Tom Morgan potted a goal just past Santho's outstretched right leg. Mark Monahan assisted on the goal with a brilliant pass through the crease.
"Santho got a piece of it but it trickled in," said Morgan.
The goal must have pissed off the Pucks defense and specifically Arrowhawk killer Mike 'Laser' Letizia. Already single-handily responsible for one Hawk loss, Letizia didn't waste any time in notching his second game winner against the Hawks. On the very next shift, Letizia skated coast to coast, past the Hawks defense at the circle and in on Jensen, at top speed. In a split second he rifled a wrister that was stopped by Jensen but quickly found the puck while closing fast, leaping to avoid a collision and burying the rebound. The goal was ESPN worthy and it was a dandy. Letizia crashed to the ice and his momentum carried him hard into the boards. Play was stopped momentarily while he collected himself, giving the Hawks the chance to plan for the equalizer.
But it never came. Jamie Santho and the Pucks stood tall for the final nine minutes, including a penalty kill at the six minute mark. Letizia's brilliant game winner held up and the Pucks moved to within a point of the Hawks in the standings.
"They knew exactly how to defend us," said a fatigued Jason Jensen after the game. "It was a great game of hockey between two very evenly matched teams. Something tells me we'll see them again in the playoffs. I'll bet it'll be another instant classic."
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