Torsok tames Whalers, 4-0

DUBLIN, OH - The Arrowhawks passed their mid-term test with flying colors, besting the potent offensive Whalers, 4-0 Friday. The score would indicate the Hawks had their way tonight, but the game seemed to be much closer than that. Sure, the Hawks had many chances and could have won the game more decidedly, but the Whalers have several skaters who can take over a game. In the end it was the Hawks blueliners who held the game in check. Jason Jensen was again stellar when called upon, thwarting any chance the Whalers had to even the game.

Arrowhawk right wing Jason Torsok was a pain in the rear for the Whalers, potting two prime scoring opportunities. Former centerman turned sub Bryan Wharton scored the first goal on the night, with a dandy sniper-job from just above the slot. From there, the game titled in the Hawks favor. 

"Bryan's goal set the tone," said LW Tom Morgan. "We rolled two centers and he was a terror in both zones, setting up scoring chances and making dandy passes to get us rolling."

Wharton had great jump and patrolled the neutral zone forcing the Whalers to the outside all night. 

The Hawks defensive core of Nick Lanctot, Mac Lawless, Ted Bulwinkle and Mike Gauthier provided steady poise in their own end and set up many chances with timely passes.

"When they jumped into the play we did a good job getting back. It was without a doubt the best I've seen our team move the puck high to low this session," added captain Mark Monahan. "It wasn't easy but we dictated play tonight against a good team." 

The Whalers are a good team. The victory was hard-earned and sets the Hawks up for a good playoff run. 

"Jensen gives us all the confidence we need to carry the play," said Mike Gauthier. "Ted had a goal called off (way to go Toronto!) and he zigged and zagged all night. Lanctot was a force and Mac broke up whatever chances they got tonight." he added. 

Tom Morgan had a dandy short-handed goal that seemed to break the Whalers spirit in the third period. 

"I had a look and took the shot and it went in. What can I say?" said Morgan. 

It was that kind of night for the Hawks. They played their best 36 minutes of hockey on the session with all facets clicking. 

"Their number 61 and Mathis are deadly and we kept them silent tonight," said sub Sean Wright, fresh off his coaching stint with the Orange HS team. "We got rolling early. Oleg and Bryan Griffith made some good passes down low that should have turned into goals. As it turned out, we didn't need them but it was good to have chances."

Good luck to the Orange HS boys as they play their final game of the season tomorrow morning.

3 Stars

1st star - Jason Torsok - 2 goals. Torsok was where he needed to be all night and capitalized on two dandy short-area finishes. First with a backhand and then with an open net while the goalie was down. "He's a killer to us," said one of the Whalers after the game. Indeed.

2nd star - Tom Morgan - 1 goal, 1 assist. Tom's shorty was timely and thwarted whatever momentum the Whalers had late in the game. He had many shots on the night and could have more goals.

3rd star - Bryan Wharton - 1 goal. Wharton's opening goal was a laser. He also had many chances and played a stellar two-way game tonight. When the Whalers got space, Wharton backchecked and caused several turnovers.

Truth be told the Hawks could have all been stars tonight. Or as Oleg our lone Ukrainian said, "How about that meteor in the motherland? Bright with a boom. A sight to see."