Regular first line right wing Bryce Griffith continued his tear on the CAHL Friday night league in the opening round 8-1 win.
DUBLIN-OH, Although the score was obvious what wasn't was that Discover was missing many of their players tonight. Not to take away from the play on the ice, but the team that regularly plays the Arrowhawks tight, wasn't tonight.
Goals were scored often from the Hawks behind stellar offensive play from all lines. The story wasn't as much who scored as much as how lopsided the benches were. 9 players took the ice for Discover. They were missing many of their difference makers.
Regulars to this site know how balanced the games and division has become. Wins are hard fought and earned every night. This night was no different and the Hawks deserve credit for the opening round win, but I'm having difficulty piling on. What you need to know is the Hawks are a balanced team and they showed it tonight.
Tom Morgan opened the scoring :30 seconds into the game, fresh off his frozenflashback battle with Delbaton.
"I played with a renewed energy tonight," said Morgan after the game. "I knew that I had more to give on the ice and that it wasn't too late for me to be a difference maker" he added. A difference maker he was. As was the entire first line after regular first line center declared, "I think I'd like to be second line tonight and not have to chase all the action." said Kevin Griffith. His play, and the routine first line of Griffith, Griffith & Griffith were equally outstanding in the win.
Jason Jensen was his regular self, stopping nearly everything in site.
"We always have the X factor knowing Jay is in net," said Joe Factor after the game. "He's just a brick wall back there and we play that way." he added.
Next up for the Hawks is the Eskimos.
"Just like Discover was tonight, we'll be down a lot of our better skaters for the next round," said Mark Monahan. "We'll see what we have and mix our lines but they are a tough opponent." He added.
Tune in folks. This is going to get interesting.
Bryce Griffith had probably the prettiest goal of his career, potting the eighth goal of the night on a Rick Nash style slow crawl on a beautiful effort. "He dazzled everyone with a play for the ages," said Jason Torsok. "It was a jaw dropper" he added.
Game two of the playoffs will be interesting folks. The Eskimos have the Hawks number. We'll just have to see what numbers turn up next week.
