Hawks secure top seed, drop Whalers 3-1

Star Arrowhawk LW Ryan Soucek (SOO-check, not SAUCE-eck) skipped the post game cely and carma reared her ugly head. A former pit-boss for the Formula-1 Ferrari team, Soucek had his tire changed in less than 4-minutes, a new Arrowhawk record.

COLUMBUS, OH - The Arrowhawks just put a bow on their winter 2015-2016 regular session, dropping the Whalers 3-1 and finishing in first place and the top seed for the playoffs. It was a spirited game dominated by the Hawks in both zones, though the score didn't reflect the imbalance.

"The Whalers have added some skilled players that we were aware of, but in the end we did a good job controlling the puck and keeping the pressure in their zone," said captain Tom Morgan after the game. "All three lines contributed with good puck possession, though I think we could have gotten a bit more out of the big ox, Bobby Balls." he added.

"The Whalers have a former SUNY captain girl defenseman on their team who's darn good. Many times tonight, Bobby had chances but she treated him like a red-headed step child, taking the puck and making him look silly," Morgan said.

Rob Walls normally skates with controlled aggression and purpose but was off his game tonight.

"Wails had some good plays for sure, but he didn't play his normal physical game," said assistant captain Bryan Wharton. "He was complaining about the ice and the fact that the fans didn't seem to be enjoying his presence. There were no signs tonight like last week about getting puppies if he scored. I think that bummed him out. He was affected, for sure," he added while chuckling "laughing my shit out" on his way to the locker room. He's an odd cat.

One player who was on his game was defenseman Ted Bulwinkle. Ted notched a critical empty-net goal late in the third period to ice the game.

"Ted's goal was a seeing-eyed shot from 150 feet. I didn't think it was going to make it, but he did load up on carbs before the game so his normally weak wrister trickled its way into the open net," said linemate Adam DePietro, er DePerro.

The game was close through 30 minutes until Tom Morgan capitalized on a loose puck in front to put the Hawks up 2-1. The Hawks never trailed in the game because net minder Jamie Santho flashed a quick glove and covered rebounds like a cracked-up mountain lion.

New winger Greg Cunneyworth continued to display excellent opportunistic positional play, scoring the first goal for the Hawks at 6:49 in the first period. His line, with center Danny Koman and Mitchell Derr were outstanding all night. The trio notched 16 shots on goal and kept the Whalers deep in their zone all night.

Defenseman Nick Lanctot and RJ Landrus were studs on the night. They gave the Whalers all they could handle in both zones. Lanctot setup many scoring chances with his puck possession behind the net and Landrus was one of the fastest players on the ice.

The three stars were #1 Tom Morgan, #2 Greg Cunneyworth and #3 Jamie Santho.

Next up for the Hawks is the opening round of the playoffs and a matchup with 8-seed 1-11-0, whom they defeated 5-3 during the season.

Rob Walls and Ted Bulwinkle celebrate their victory over the Whalers and finishing top in the league.

Merry Christmas CAHL Friday Nighters

On behalf of the Arrowhawks, I'd like to personally wish all the Friday C2 beer leaguers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I sincerely hope each of you eat and drink so much that you come to camp 10 pounds overweight so you are a step slower and lose just enough skill that we can overtake you. I'm talking to you Your Ad Here, Yogis and (freakin) Eskimos. If you're on the fence, please spend the extra coin needed to fatten your goalies so they are a tad slower with their glove hand. Buy them pizza. Buy them beers. Buy them whatever quacky royalty they desire so they're happy and fatten their bellies. Ivan, I'll do my best to make sure you aren't on your game because the Roosters have gotten too damn good for their own good.

In the event you Friday nighters are thinking the Arrowhawks are taking the rest of the league lightly, I may have forgotten my point. It is, after all, 1:51 a.m. Christmas morning and I have wrapping to do. But rest assured, our club is under strict orders to get 10 hours of sleep per night and skate 4 hours per day to obtain our seventh championship. Eskimos, please change your jersey color to something other than yellow as that seems to be our kryptonite. Or maybe it's just good positional hockey and excellent goaltending. On that note, please get lazy Bombers and Byrnes Pub. The fact that any team can defeat any team vexes me and I don't need more vexing. I'd like to remain fat and out of shape and still be able to win more games than we lose. You're commitment to good hockey threatens my way of life. But I digress.

Happy Holidays all. Eat an extra four pounds of chicken wings.

Peace.

Morgan named captain of the Arrowhawks

It is with great honor that the Arrowhawks have named LW Tom Morgan captain for 2016 and beyond. Tom's appointment is long overdue. He embodies all the qualities a beer league hockey player like me longs for – skill, tenacity, commitment, loyalty, humor, dedication and a longing to make a difference. His leadership is unquestioned and his presence is invaluable. "There have been three captains in our storied 16-year history and I can't think of a better leader to carry the torch," said chief bottle washer Rick Titus, overrated utility winger with lungs of a smoker (but never smoked).  Tom carried an overwhelming 98% among 29 votes. A resounding captain sure to continue what Mark Monahan and Rick Tyler started. Congratulations Tom!

Bryan Wharton, A

Congratulations to top line center Bryan Wharton who's been named an alternate captain for the Arrowhawks. Wharton's leadership is unquestioned on the ice. He's a stellar two-way player, controlling play in the offensive zone and thwarting opponents attack with aggressive back-checking.
"Bryan is a beast for us and our team is noticeably better when he's on his game," said Arrowhawk utility fat guy Rick Titus. "If it's true that the first rule of management is to surround yourself with excellent playmakers, we're in great hands with Bryan down the middle," he added. "I can't think of a better difference-maker than Wharton. He's just a great example of awesome."

Nick Lanctot, A

The voting is in. Minnesota native Nick Lanctot has been named an alternate captain for the Arrowhawks for 2016. Lanctot is a leader on the ice and in the room and it's a great honor to add him to the stable of Hawk leaders. "Nick is a force on our blue line and I can't think of a better voice for us," says LW Tom Morgan. "He's a calming presence and he epitomizes what it takes to be a winner." he added. "I'm honored he's on our team."

Yogis pull away in 2nd, down Arrowhawks 7-4

The Arrowhawks lost to the Yogis in the summer session championship game 7-4 tonight. The game was much closer then the final score. With one minute to play in the second period, the game was tied 3-3. Unfortunately, the Yogis skilled forwards were able to pot two late goals to put them up 5-3 at the end of two. The Hawks fought back to 6-4 and pulled their goalie late, but it wasn't enough. The Yogis are a very good team and deserved the win tonight. Congrats to them.

Arrowhawk goals were scored by Ryan Soucek (2), Rob Walls and Adam DePerro. Click here for the game report. 

Game action:

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.