Maple Leafs drop Hawks in opener

DUBLIN - The first game of the fall session featured two of the CAHL's powerhouse teams, the Hawks and the Maple Leafs. Both teams are chock-full of offensive talent, steady defenseman and terrific goaltending. Prognosticators predicted an up and down offensive treat and the game didn't disappoint.

The Hawks struck first on a Tom Morgan blistering shot  from just inside the blue line. The Leafs quickly answered to tie the game at 1 after a period. The Hawks scored again (not sure who scored it since I was busy taking pictures and fiddling with my camera gear) to take a 2-1 lead. It was the last lead the Hawks would have, however. The Leafs notched the next two goals to win the game 3-2, despite several late offensive chances inside the final 3 minutes of play.

The Maple Leafs were fast in transition and played a great 2-way game. They neutralized the Hawks top line of Kevin Griffith, Bryan Griffith and Nick Lanctot. Doing so isn't easy and the Leaf defenders should be proud.

Jason Torsok battled hard in front all night, looking for rebounds and loose pucks. "We just couldn't drive one past when we needed too," he said after the game. "It just wasn't our night."

Jason Jensen made several athletic stops in the loss. Oleg Chetverikov and John Kenyon skated well in the loss.