Jasons burn Leafs in Hawks win

LEWIS CENTER, OH - It didn't feel like Halloween tonight. Save the occasional scream from the Arrowhawks bench, it didn't really sound like it either. Why the Jason mask then? Because if you ask the Maple Leafs, they may prefer Voorhees over the black hole below. I'm not fully brushed-up on my Halloween movie history, but I don't recall seeing Jason (above) stoning skilled goal scorers with diving glove saves -- ala Tim Thomas -- like Jensen did tonight. It was amazing (unless you are a relative of the Leafs). I also don't know if Voorhees can even skate. I'm sure he can't snap across his crease like a flash of lightning, blinding any chance of some of the league's top goal scorers.

The Arrowhawks survived a spirited game against the Maple Leafs, 2-1 tonight. There was end to end action and the game ended with a fracas resulting in 5 game misconduct penalties. Yes it was physical and got chippy toward the end, but it was the Jasons who sealed the Leafs fate. Yes, plural. Jensen turned away 26 shots on the night before giving up a rebound late in the third period. 

"I've never seen anything like it," said Arrowhawk captain Mark Monahan after the game. "At two points during the game the Leafs forwards starting celebrating immediately after releasing the shot. Only the puck didn't go in. Jensen was flat awesome tonight," he added. 

Arrowhawk defenseman Nick Lanctot opened the scoring for the Hawks on a dandy coast-to-coast effort near the final minute of the first period. It reminded me of the great offensive skill players in the NHL, only a little slower and with much more determination. Like an angry pit-bull who just won't let go of your daughter's shoe, it's best to just walk away. 

Lanctot zigged, zagged, twirled, did his taxes and finally released a backhander past the Leafs pillowman. It was a highly skilled finish from a guy who sometimes gets lost in the corners, requiring a search party. 

"For the record, I never get lost in corners," said Lanctot in response to the accusation. "I like corners. If they weren't there, I'd skate forever like a greyhound chasing one of those fake rabbits. It's mean, those rabbits. Not fair at all."

Lanctot's goal eased the tension on the Hawks bench. The Leafs won the faceoff and resumed peppering the black hole, er Jensen. The clock ticked and it appeared the opening frame would end 1-0 Hawks. 

Someone forgot to tell the other Jason, Torsok. 

Fresh off his stint helping Tibet Monks learn how to use modern technology, Torsok drove his way into the zone with Sean 'Blue' Wright carrying the puck. Time was running out. Torsok was tired, at the end of his :09 second shift. Blue made a stellar pass to Monahan who zipped a pass to Tom Morgan. Morgan passed to a wide open Torsok who was streaking down the wing like a rushing greek college freshman. He wound up and rifled a laser between the goalie's legs with only :05 seconds left on the clock. 

"That goal was a killer," said Hawk defensman Mike 'I'd rather be golfing or laying in a tanning bed' Gauthier. "It had to hurt."

Despite 4 straight power plays for the Leafs, including a 5-3 for nearly two minutes, the second period was scoreless. Both netminders stood their ground, but Jensen stood his on his head. He was clearly frustrating the Leafs. The game was beginning to get chippy. 

Since I've already run out of beers and am now having to drink my wife's cheap wine, I'm going to wrap it up. 

The third period was back and forth. Both teams had chances, both teams didn't score. Until the Leafs finally did. It happened with 3 minutes to go in the game. Jensen stopped the first two shots but the Leafs got a rebound and potted it past the goal line. 

There was plenty of time for the Leafs to strike again. The Hawks would have to control the puck to notch their second victory of the season. They did just that. 

It was evident Mark Waterstreet and the rest of the Leafs skilled forwards were getting frustrated. With just over a minute to play in the game, Waterstreet and another Leaf collided with Arrowhawk right wing Bryce Griffith, just outside center ice. Griffith carried the puck with speed and appeared to be clearing a backchecker when Waterstreet made an aggressive move to try and separate the puck. All three skaters went down at impact and it appeared to be knee on knee. 

The Hawks didn't like the move and reacted, sticking up for their fallen teammate. Gloves stayed on, but each player grabbed an opponent, sending a message. When it was all over, there were 5 game misconducts and a match penalty handed out. Leaf defenseman Scott Macre received the match penalty for fighting and will most likely be doing something else on Friday nights. 

Ironically, Mac Lawless sleeps calmly in his cabin bed somewhere in appalachia mountains, still trying to earn his final merit badge from the boy scouts. Let's hope he doesn't run into Voorhies. 

OK, this is random but awesome. I totally can see Mac a) growing a beard like this, b) trying to scam hard working people out of $4, and c) living on a boat in Maine claiming to be 'searching for inner peace.' With his wool hat and Vermontly proud beard. And a sharpie. And cardboard.