Hawks outskate Yogis to a 5-3 win

COLUMBUS, OH - The Arrowhawks had their hands full for their seventh game of the session. Their opponent Yogis were a fast skating, skilled bunch capable of scoring with each of their four lines. They had an excellent goalie, tactical blue line and playmakers throughout their bench. 

The Yogis jumped to an early 1-0 lead and held a 3-1 lead after two periods. But the lead wouldn't hold. The Arrowhawks rallied to score 4 third period goals and win the game 5-3. Rather than detail the action, we'll let the photos tell the story. 

The Yogis goaltender brought his A game, thwarting shot after shot in the early going. It was clear that if the Hawks were going to score, it would take traffic and lots of shots.

The Hawks didn't match the Yogis jump early in the game. There was a late scratch causing the Hawks to ice just three defenseman for the night. They were in for a long night and needed to buckle down in front of Hawk net minder Jamie Santho. 

Santho didn't have a chance for two of the first three goals scored by the Yogis. Were his teammates up for the challenge?

The Yogis forwards had speed, skill and excellent vision and playmaking ability. Arrowhawk forwards realized they'd have to pick up their back checking if they were going to make a game of it.

They needed a leader. And fortunately, they had one in their captain Mark Monahan who was brilliant in both zones.

Monahan brought tenacity and grit and established a blue collar attitude to the bench. 

Mark's playmaking ability was on full display and lifted the team to tilt the ice in the second period.

Santho began to trust his defenseman and stood on his head after the first period.  He snared a sure goal off a wicked wrist shot and lifted the bench. It was time for the Hawks to start scoring.

Enter top line forward and leading point man, Ben Kitchen. Ben did his thing and was a threat every time he took the ice.

The Hawks began climbing back into the game behind Kitchen's aggression and determination. And the powerful skating of another new face to the Arrowhawks, Tyler Moats.

"Tyler's speed was unmatched," said LW Tom Morgan after the game. "He had an extra gear tonight and they didn't have an answer for him." he added. Moats played his second game of the session and proved to management that he deserves a full-time spot on the club. Moats would score two goals and lead the Hawks to a hard-fought 5-3 win.

Moats scores on a breakaway setup by a tape to tape pass from Lanctot.

A vital core player for the Hawks, Bryan Wharton, a ten-time CAHL Champion, patrolled the center of the ice in both zones. He was excellent and brought a much needed physicality.

But the Hawks wouldn't have stood a chance without the heart of their blue line, Minnesota Nick Lanctot. Nick and fellow defenseman Jason DeJong and Ted Bulwinkle shut down the middle of the ice.

Ted Bulwinkle. He's a swift-skating hog with a nasty slapshot. Ted was determined to not suck and didn't take anyone's head off with his normally extremely high shot. We're proud of you, Ted.

Another new face to the winter session is Trevor Setterlin, a former standout forward for the Upper Arlington Bears. Setterlin opened the ice for his line mates showcasing nifty puck handling and excellent speed.

Oleg Chetverikov had several prime scoring chances on the night including this dandy that was saved by a fortunate stick placement from the Yogi goaltender.

The game was open for either club to win. The Hawks needed a sniper. Enter wily veteran Tom Morgan. Morgan was captain opportunity, scoring two vital goals. Once from the point on a blind snapshot to the upper left corner and again on a dynamite shot from the high slot. He and Monahan are like peanut butter and jelly, made for each other.

Rob Walls snaps a wrester just passed the Yogis goalie.

RW Ryan Soucek works behind the net and sets up a scoring chance. Soucek's speed on the top line continues to give opponents fits.