DUBLIN, OHIO - Tonight's contest between the Arrowhawks (2-1) and defending champion Rirruto (1-2) was as advertised. Both teams exhibited the type of balanced hockey you'd expect from two of the league's top clubs. There were plenty of scoring chances on both ends and enough defensive stops to make this contest anyone's game. In the end the game would be decided in the final minute of play, off the stick of Arrowhawk captain Mark Monahan. Both goalies stood on their heads, making save after save.
"Rirruto is as advertised," said Tom Morgan after the game. "They play well in both zones and do as good a job taking away time and space as any team in the league. We had to work our tails off and even then it wasn't enough, until the final minute. We're happy to come out of here with a win tonight," said the Friday night warrior.
The Arrowhawks iced two solid lines, including Andrew 'Firenuts' Applehans, who filled in for regular Arrowhawk Sean 'Blue' Wright who was unavailable to play because he was too busy running laps around the block training for his eventual run from east coast to west coast.
"Andrew skated well tonight," said defenseman G. Ted Bulwinkle, not related to the moose. "He did his job in the faceoff circle and did a good job getting his stick in play in the neutral zone," he added.
All 36 minutes of action were played even strength as there were no penalties called in the game.
"That was a surprise," said head ref Danny after the game. "It was an even tilt and fun to call."
Rirruto had the momentum during the first 18 minutes of play. Michael Bohland, a Hawk killer, was his usual self, craftily skating with puck and setting up his mates for scoring chances. Rirruto could have easily scored had it not been for the games first star, Jason 'Get that shit outta here' Jensen. Perhaps the best chance came from a late third period shot off a faceoff when Jensen was still adjusting his mask when play resumed. The shot narrowly missed crossing the line after a surprised Jensen shot his pad down to make a much needed stop.
"I had my stick off the ice and slid my pad down just in time," said Jensen. It was another example of why Jensen has long been the league's top netminder.
"I'm glad we don't have to play them more than we do," said Barry Snow, a late call-up to replace Mac Lawless. Lawless was away on business, selling camping equipment to boy scouts and educating them on the finer points of being tall and handsome. No word whether the attendees got their money worth.
Nick Lanctot and Mike Gauthier were an effective top defensive pair. So to were Bulwinkle and Snow, who put their bodies in front of shots all night.
Next up for the Hawks are the Panthers, er, Whalers.
"There are no more easy games," added a tired Mark Monahan after the game. "I look forward to next Friday and getting Wharton and Morgan back in the groove. We weren't at our best tonight, but luckily Jay was."
He was indeed.
More photos of the game will be posted when our staff isn't so darn tired.
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