Hawks endure and... win

DUBLIN, Ohio - The pride of the Friday night C2 league fought though a period and a half of lousy hockey against a pesky and talented Discover team tonight, prevailing 7-4 in ugly fashion.

"We didn't bring our A game early," said left wing Tom Morgan. "Their team was all over us early, back-checking and playing aggressively in the neutral zone, taking us out of our game." Morgan added.

Through a period and a half Discover was up 4-0 against the league's best defensive and offensive team. The Hawks were stunned to say the least. Top line Kevin Griffith, Bryce Griffith and Nate Mensel struggled early looking for chances to bury.

"The chances were there but we couldn't finish," said a frustrated Nate Mensel. "Their goalie stoned us."

Good thing for the Hawks they had Jason Jensen and his league-leading 1.7 GAA.

"Jason played as well in the third period as he has all season," said defenseman Rick Titus. Jensen made save after save down the stretch to frustrate the fast-moving puck Discover wingers, including no fewer than 5 odd-man rushes. "He was large tonight." Titus added.

Like a championship team should do, the Hawks trailed but never gave up. Hawks blueliner Nick Elswick scored first with a timely blast in the high slot to begin the rattle. Terry Walker chimed in 3 minutes later with a low slap-shot to make the score 4-2 at the end of two periods.

"We could feel the change in momentum," said right wing Jason Torsok.

The third period was all Arrowhawks. Tom Morgan, fresh off a New York stint with his old pals, was eloquent with the puck, dangling with linemates Mark Monahan and Jason Torsok. The tandem refused to loose puck-battles. The line wound up scoring three goals between them including a beautiful game winning goal by new team captain Mark Monahan.

"Mark is just flat out damn good," said netminder Jason Jensen.

Not to be outdone, Nate Mensel and his topline mates took over from there. In a span of 2 minutes the Hawks notched goals 5,6 and 7, including two stellar finishes from new forward Mensel. "I'm finally beginning to feel it," said Mensel.

Feel it indeed, folks.

"Good teams find ways to win," said Chris Carpenter after the game.

Not the way they want, but a win just the same.

The Hawks will face the Panthers in the session finale next Friday. On the line is the number one seed and another playoff run for the league's crowning jewel.

"One game at a time," added Morgan. "This story is yet to conclude."