LEWIS CENTER, OH - Never mind the Hawks lost in overtime to the resurgent Big Pucks 4-3 tonight. The absolute most important factor to the Hawks was the continual development of their prized 1996 draft pick, Rick Titus. After 15 years, it appears the highly skilled hockey DNA has finally emerged. The Arrowhawks top line of Kevin Griffith, Oleg 'Epic Win' Chetverikov and Titus stifled the stingy Pucks defense from the drop of the puck. Titus wound up extending his rare point steak, potting a rebound just :23 seconds into the game, past the Pucks new goalie Jamie 'Freakin' Santho.
"It was a laser shot," said the humble Titus after the game. "I saw an opening, remembered what Bill Miller told me about the art of shooting and buried it." he said.
"I lost it, thought I had it and watched it trickle over the line," said Santho. "I haven't seen skill like that since mite hockey" added the now full-time goaltender for the Pucks. Santho would later be one of the key players in the Pucks victory.
As hockey games go, this was a great one. The Hawks rode a steady offensive attack through two periods, only to give way to three great individual efforts.
"Our defense played great tonight, but in the end it was the Pucks determination that sealed the deal," said Arrowhawk defenseman Mac Lawless, fresh off his rehab assignment with the West African Sand Fleas, the Hawks minor league affiliate. For the record, Lawless exhibited stellar poke checks and a savvy touch adding a goal in his session debut.
"I remembered how to put on my skates, so that was a great start," said Lawless. "If I could have played a bit better like my sons usually do I could have been the difference but in the end it wasn't meant to be." he added.
The Big Pucks gained the momentum late in the second period after Mike Letizia's goal made the score 3-2. Letizia wouldn't comment after the game, but the defenseman had a monster night.
"We knew going in that we had to shut down the Ginger Wizard," said LW Tom Morgan. "We stuck on him all night but sometimes things just don't turn out the way you hoped. Yes, Torsok had many chances but Santho shut us down and kept Mark and I off the score sheet."
Monahan assisted on the Hawks third goal scored by Lawless on the rush.
Arrowhawk goalie Jason Jensen was terrific on the night, turning away 26 shots and keeping the Hawks in the game, until Letizia evened the score at the 4:35 mark on a brilliant short handed effort in the final frame.
"Mike wanted the win," said a disappointed Jensen. "He just took over and that's that." he said.
The overtime period was back and forth, with both defenses answering the call. It would take a shootout to settle it.
The Hawks shot first with Morgan just missing on a five-hole attempt. "I thought I had Santho but he closed the gap," said Morgan in disgust.
The Pucks first two shooters were denied by Jensen. Wharton had Jensen dead to rights on a quick deek but lost the puck in the attempt. The Arrowhawks second shooter, captain Mark Monahan also thought he had Santho beat, only to have the puck carom high five hole once again.
It was all up to Letizia. He skated in and blasted a slap shot low glove past Jensen for the Pucks first win of the session.
Wharton would later translate Letizia's pre-game comment, "We won the championship last session because we played for the Hawks and we're the difference makers so we have to win, right?" Apparently so. Not even Rick Titus' awesome offensive skill could turn away the potent Big Pucks.
"Give them credit," said Titus. "It must be the orange sweaters. We don't like orange."
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