Who ever said winning was easy? The Hawks will give it the ol' college try again tonight when they face a well rested Big Pucks, who opened the session with a bye last week. No word whether the Pucks went through an aggressive week of practice to prepare for the Arrowhawks, but rest assured, Wharton and the boys will be ready for the game.
The Big Pucks are a pre-session favorite to win it all. Rumor has it defenseman Tommy Parker III, a solid two-way player and dangerous on the rush, will be moving after the summer. This may be the last go-round for the current Pucks. If it's true, the Hawks will face a very determined team tonight.
Pre-game keys to victory:
LEGS, LEGS, LEGS
The Hawks were guilty of watching the Eskimos too often last week, rather than matching their speed in both zones. "We can't help it, they skate so smoothly and their skates make that great swoosh sound like the pro guys," said a mesmerized John Kenyon last week. "It's hypnotizing." The Big Pucks play a physical brand of hockey, are strong on the puck and clog passing lanes as well as anyone in the league. When it does break down, Jamie Santho is a brilliant last line of defense. Even though his mask isn't nearly as intimdating as it used to be. The top-6 of the Hawks must back-check and get stronger on the puck or this could get ugly early.
FEEL THE RUSH
TPIII and Mike Letizia are Arrowhawk killers. In past games the Hawks have had success by taking away time and space from the Pucks top skilled forwards. Perhaps out of boredom, Letizia and Parker single-handedly strike at will at key points in the game. They push the play from the back-end, carry the puck and place laser shots on net. The Hawks must anticipate this pent-up aggression and stand tall at the blue line. G. Ted Bulwinkle and Joe Factor will have their hands full down low. Checking line forwards Chris 'Jesus was a' Carpenter and John 'Grand' Kenyon must be tenacious with their sticks in the defensive zone.
THE BIG FINISH
Top line center Kevin Griffith needs to get off to a fast start. A perrenial league-leader in points, Griffith is a dangerous playmaker. The Hawks offense will only go as far as Kevin's stick dictates. Second line dynamo's Monahan & Morgan will likely have Jason Jensen rounding out their line. The trio will need to mix up their playbook and be good finishers around the net. Santho doesn't give up many rebounds. When he does, look for Jensen to bury the puck.
PREDICTION
The Hawks roster isn't as strong on paper as it was in the fall. That, coupled with the fresh legs and extra motivation the Pucks will bring, could make for a long night for the Hawks. 'Blue' will need to bring the Wright stuff if the Hawks are going to prevail. Although the Hawks certainly have the ability, this here reporter thinks the Pucks are just too good. Prediction? Big Pucks 5, Hawks 3. Barry breaks a stick, gets pissed, calls the refs names and gets tossed. Kevin eats too much food before the game, forgets to shave his head (pre-game ritual) and plays the entire game with a broken stick, "Just to prove I can." Mike Gauthier decides it's easier to just hang out at the defensive blue line despite urging from the Arrowhawk bench "Come on Gooch! Think little engine that could!" Nate Mensel, filling in for Terry Walker, will dangle with the puck in the offensive zone so much he'll get the new nickname "Bobber" Monahan will say "sir" at least a dozen times because he's a classy captain and doesn't want to ruffle the refs. Tommy will drill Santho in the grill because "I like to make his ears ring, let him know I'm here."
Good luck, Hawks!
That's a good prediction.
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