LEWIS CENTER, OH - The Arrowhawks opened the fall session with a win last Friday, defeating the Big Pucks 2-1 in a real squeaker of a game. The Arrowhawks fell behind early after a defensive zone breakdown led to a wide open Big Puck stationed right in front of netminder Jason Jensen.
"Jay didn't stand a chance on that one," said 1st line LW Tom Morgan after the game. "We just got caught with our head's up our you know what," he added with a frown.
One player managed to keep his head out of trouble. Goaltender Jason Jensen.
"Jay was our best player tonight, by far," said Jason Torsok. "He looked all fancy in net, sliding from post to post and stopping everything that came his way. This game could have easily gotten out of hand early but he kept us in it like he always does."
The first period was back and forth but mostly played in the Arrowhawks end. The Hawks were missing a few blue liners but generally did a good job clearing the zone. Jensen didn't give up many rebounds and was snappy with the glove.
There were few offensive chances for the Hawks until midway through the second period.
"We were a little rusty early and used the first period to get back in rhythm," said Bryce Griffith who started on the second line. Bryce sat out the Summer session after leading the Hawks in scoring in the fall. The Griffith line was a step off all night, with many passes just missing the mark.
The Arrowhawks first goal was scored by Mark Monahan on a brilliant deflection from Barry Snow.
"Barry's shot was perfect," said Monahan. "I just got good wood on it and it sailed over the goalie. It was my favorite goal I scored all year," said Monahan with a smirk. It was Mark's first goal of the session.
The game remained a goaltending clinic for the next 12 minutes of play. Both netminders were sharp, turning away shot after shot. That is, until Tom Morgan got open in the high slot.
Snap.
Just like that, Morgan put the Hawks up 2-1 with a laser shot, top-shelf. The Hawks swarmed Morgan. Somewhere, Scotty Bowman smiled. Long ago, Bowman would work with Morgan on his shot from the driveway of his swanky Detroit home. Feeling left out of the Red Wings success, Bowman took Morgan under his wing, flying him from his Long Island home on the weekends via Bowman's personal jet. Tom still raves about the wonderful service he received on the airliner and the fancy paper umbrellas served on the flight. "It's where I learned how to finish," said the soft spoken Morgan in his biography SNAP IT OFF: How to Finish in a world full of losers, years later.
The Hawks finished well, holding on 2-1.
"The Big Pucks are a good team," said Nate Mensel. "We were lucky tonight"
