DUBLIN, OH - The Arrowhawks opened the winter session with a sound 3-1 victory over Rirruto, er, Byrnes Pub tonight. Both teams skated with decent jump, despite being off for several weeks. The first period was back and forth with both teams having decent chances. The Hawks first line consisted of the law firm line of Griffith, Griffith and Griffith. It was evident they were rusty, but the brothers skated and passed the puck well in the offensive zone.

Bryce Griffith entered the game with an upper body injury but played well enough fans didn't notice. Bryan Griffith thwarted early chances with a strong back-check in the defensive zone and good passes on the breakout. Centerman Kevin Griffith wasn't in mid-season form early, but as the game progressed he got stronger along the wall. 

The games first goal came from an unlikely source. Third line RW Rick 'Reg' Titus took an Oleg 'Epic Win' Chetverikov's faceoff in the offensive zone, passed the puck back to 'Minnesota' Nick Lanctot who shot the puck through traffic. Titus zigged, zagged and crashed the net, potting the rebound past the stellar Pub's netminder. 

"I remembered what Mark taught us in our first ever practice held last week," said Titus after the game. "He told us to remember to crash the net even if we were tired. That good things come to players, even if you normally suck at scoring. He's an uplifting captain, that Mark." Titus added.

The Pubber's didn't go away quietly. They notched the game at 1-1 in the second period, despite excellent goaltending from Jason Jensen. Michael Bohland, a league leader in points each session, figured in the goal, with a nifty pass to Nico Shuetz. 

It was the only goal Jensen would give up on the night. 

"Jay was super tonight, as usual," said LW Tom Morgan. "He's like the weather. Somewhat unpredictable but always better than Heart remaking a classic Led Zepplin song."

Jensen stoned Bohland on a breakaway and kept the Hawks in the game through the second period, notched at a goal a piece. 

The Law Firm line took over from there. 

Kevin Griffith notched what turned out to be the game winner after a dominating offensive-zone shift. The boys settled down and passed the puck with precision until Kevin could drill a rebound. 

Byan Griffith would add another goal in the third period, again after determined offensive pressure. 

The Hawks defense was rock-solid through the game. Mac Lawless, Nick Lantot, Mike Gauthier and G. Ted Bulwinkle only gave up one odd-man rush. At one point Jason Torsok proclaimed, "I haven't seen our defense look this good since they all showed up hammered after a Michael McDonald concert."

"For the record, Michael is quite inspiring. Even though Tom disagrees," added Arrowhawk captain Mark Monahan. Tonight's game was the seventh anniversary of Monahan joining the Hawks. 

"I can't think of a better way to reward Mark for laying it on the line every Friday in both zones," said Rick Titus. "He's the best two-way player in the league, hands down."

Terry Walker manned the left wing on the third line and was solid positionally, just missing on several scoring chances. 

Law firm 4, Rucks 3

LEWIS CENTER, OH - The Arrowhawks, sporting their high-tech white third sweaters, advanced to the second round of the CAHL C2 playoffs, defeating the Ruckmoore Ringers 4-3, Friday. The Hawks started slow and gave up the first goal to the Rucks before the top line of Kevin Griffith, Bryce Griffith and Bryan Griffith found their groove. Or maybe it was just #36.

Bryce Griffith notched the third hat trick of his career in a smothering performance by the Law Firm line.

"We sucked at the beginning," said Bryce Griffith immediately after being introduced to the 4 fans in attendance as first star. "We just kept chipping away at it until we found our stride. Kevin was good in the corners and Bryan skates fast in white so that was good." he added.

The Rucks had their chances. Plenty of them to be exact. Hawk netminder Jason Jensen was sharp, turning away 28 shots including two breakaways. Mac Lawless made a spectacular hustle play to break up one of the chances. He was whistled for a penalty on the play but it was a good penalty to take. The Hawks killed the penalty.

The Hawks found themselves shorthanded four times during the game, killing off each without the Rucks scoring. Hawks third line forward Chris 'Jesus was a' Carpenter was called for hooking with only 1:36 left in the game.

"It was a bad penalty to take," said alternate captain Tom Morgan. "To go down a man in that situation isn't good. Especially against a good team like Ruckmoore. Luckily, we've got a great goalie and we skate super fast in our skin-tighty whites so we were literally all over the ice."

"I agree with Tom," admitted Carpenter. "Not a good way to finish, but I like drama and it made for a dramatic ending to the game."

"I don't like drama," said Jason Jensen. "Especially at the end of the game. I'll have to talk with Carp."

Nate Mensel skated on the second line with Oleg Chetverikov and Tom Morgan. Captain Mark Monahan is vacationing in Switzerland, trying to climb a really big mountain while learning "the entire Chinese language."

Terry Walker was moved back to defense "to make Lanctot look good."

Law firm line ready for regular session finale

ARENA DISTRICT - If the local police blotter is any indication, The Arrowhawks top line of Griffith, Griffith and Griffith are ready for tonight's game against the Bombers. They weren't arrested and we don't even know what a police blotter is (what they call the cop who cleans the desk with a roll of paper towels after spilling coffee on their keyboard?) but a random email to AH.com said the following:

"Arrowhawks forwards and lifelong brothers Kevin, Bryce and Bryan Griffith were seen running through the streets of downtown Columbus this afternoon, warming up for tonight's game against the Bombers. Kevin had a glazed donut in one hand and a bottle of dayquil in the other. Bryce was dressed like a ninja, without the camel-toe shoes and Bryan was singing Michael Bolton -- no doubt from his iPod. They jaywalked and were detained by Columbus' finest bicycle crew, but only after a 26 mile chase. Those Griffith boys are in great shape!" said the anonymous tipster.

LEGAL NOTE: Attention employer of Griffith boys. No this didn't happen, so don't fire them. We need them to have jobs so they can afford their league fees, otherwise we won't score goals and our team will go to crap because Carp will be moved to the top line. He can't even put his jersey on the right way, so please give the Griffith boys a healthy raise.

Hawks bomb bombers 9-1

GAHANNA, OH - The Hawks brought the big guns tonight. It was clear early that if the Bombers were going to make the contest a fair tilt it would require keeping the puck away from the Hawks skill players. Problem was, there were many players to keep the puck from.

For the first time in several sessions Bryan Griffith was on the ice to complete the top line of Griffith, Griffith and Griffith. His presence was felt by his brothers as they skated with more energy than they had in two previous sessions. It was like reuniting the Beatles for a battle of the bands at the local club -- no contest. The top line blitzed the Bombers defensive core time and time again, leading to many early (and late) scoring chances.

"We knew early we had our 'A' game tonight," said Jason Torsok. "We were not going to be beat unless their goalie stood on his head all night." he added.

All lines were on tonight for the Hawks. It was close through the first 10 minutes of play but the flood gates opened after Chris Carpenter burried a one-time deflection from a perfect Mac Lawless feed into a wide open net. The goal wound up being the game winner on a night full of Arrowhawk tilted ice.

We'll break down all the goal scorers later. Just know that the Hawks were a man among boys on this night. Goaltender Jason Jensen wasn't tested often but when he was, he was fabulous.

The last Griffith takes the ice

ARENA DISTRICT, OH - Tonight's Bomber game will be the long awaited debut of long-time Hawk, left wing Bryan 'ESPY' Griffith. Griffith has been nursing a lower body injury for the past 6 weeks but is geared up for the game tonight.

"I'm eager to put the skates on and get after it with the boys," said Griffith via phone. "I'll skate on the top line with my brothers, reunited the law firm line of Griffith, Griffith and Griffith." It's been a full year since the top line has been intact. Look for a full report of Griffith's session debut later this evening.

Hawks battle champions tonight

LEWIS CENTER, OH - The Arrowhawks will get a good feel for how they'll match up with the league's best when they face-off against the defending champion Maple Leafs tonight. The Arrowhawks split with the Leafs in both games last session, needing overtime to decide each game. The Leafs are off to a fast start and always bring a potent scoring attack to the ice. They led the league last session with over 40 goals scored. Tonight's game should be a good test for both teams.

Many regulars won't make the trip however, for various reasons. Missing from the lineup will be:

• Jason Torsok, RW - undisclosed lower body injury obtained from fishing accident. something about "horrible noodling accident gone wrong"

• Bryan Griffith, LW - rumors of his being kidnapped by a gang of Twilight fans have been dispelled. Griffith is alive and well, though he's nursing a sore ankle. He's practiced with the team and is expected back for game 3. The Hawks are counting on Griffith's dangling skills this session.

• Mike Gauthier, D - Gooch is fasting and lacks the energy to skate. "I've never fasted before and figured I'd give it a go and scratch it off my bucket list," said Gauthier through his interpreter.

The Arrowhawks may call up three players from their minor league affiliate, the East Africa Sand Fleas. Oleg Chetverikov, Emily Moersdorf and Barry Snow may see action tonight for the Hawks.

Calls to Fleas team president Bill Miller were returned with the following voicemail.

"I will not divulge any information about anything other than to say that I'm hungry and want some chocolate and a 12-pack. I do recall seeing Oleg running to catch the bus with his gear over one shoulder and a live chicken in his other hand."

Good luck, Hawks.

Griffith hat-trick sparks Hawks win

WORTHINGTON - OH, Somebody Told Me by the Killers blared over the loud speaker at one point during last night's 5-2 Arrowhawk victory over the Bombers. It's a personal favorite of 2nd line center Mark Monahan, but on this night, it was Bryce Griffith telling the Bombers he can finish with the best of em'. Griffith had a hat trick in the come from behind win. It is the fourth of his career.

"I told you Bryce was tearing it up this session," said Tom Morgan, who notched the game winner. "The top line is really clicking for us -- and we haven't even had to provide them with beer, coupons or jelly donuts -- which really helps the bottom line in this economy." he added.

"The final score is misleading. This was a really close game," said Mark Monahan. "Both teams had quality scoring chances and missed on sure goals." the team captain admitted. 

Kevin Griffith missed an open net. Sniper Tom Morgan fired a bullet off the crossbar. Nick Lanctot destroyed the Bombers shins with heavy point blast after point blast. 

The bad news for the Bombers? When they knocked on the door, it was Jason Jensen that answered. The Bombers didn't have as many chances but when they did, the chances were beauties. Jensen slammed the door time after time when the Hawks needed stops. 

"Dude was on his head tonight," said John Kenyon, still sitting in the penalty box looking for grasshoppers. 

The score was 3-2 heading into the third period (we think... our reporters were busy playing music during breaks and dancing with the scorekeeper -- one Hannah Fields who did a stellar job not screwing it all up). 

That's when the lawfirm line took over. The Griffith brothers danced-poetic with the puck like a scene from the nutcracker - minus the bulge, tights and fancy slippers. The Bombers did an admirable job on the back check and clogged the neutral zone like a Kevin Griffith pre-game, um, ritual; but the puck-possession skills of Kevin in the middle, Bryan on the left and Bryce on the right was too much. The trio was +3 on the night and assists were handed out like candy on Halloween. The word determination comes to mind. 

"That was a great hockey game," said tired defenseman Nate Mensel outside the locker room. "They're a good team and it could have gone either way." Mensel was his usual self -- very reliable defensively and snapping precision breakout strikes to the forward's sticks. His transition game is as good as any defenseman in the league.

Somewhere, Mrs. Griffith goes about her day. We wonder if she knows just how important her boys have turned out to be. 

Somebody tell Kenyon it's ok to come out of the penalty box now. 

Three stars:

3rd star: Kevin Griffith (stats to come)

2nd star: Jason Jensen

1st star: Bryce Griffith

The Bryce effect

12 points in 4 games, no PIMs, 1 game winner and a power-play goal. You don't have to be a hockey genius to figure out those stats are really darn good. Arrowhawk opponents have figured out first hand just how focused Bryce Griffith is this session. Some say it's because he's finally gotten married and feels complete. Others believe it's the fact that his Rogaine treatments are finally taking hold. Regardless of the reason, the outcome benefits Hawk fans everywhere.

"Bryce is tearing it up this session," said brother and linemate, Kevin Griffith. "It's nice to see he's healthy, eating well and not afraid of success any longer."

Griffith's 3 point per game average is a gaudy one and leads the team by almost a full point. Naturally then, his brother's (the law firm line of Griffith, Griffith and Griffith) are 2nd and 3rd in the order with 9 and 7 points respectively.

"It's a beauty watching those knuckleheads dance and weave their way through traffic each night," said top business mind John Kenyon as he scarfed down a fried bologna sandwich. "If we could just solve Kevin's intestinal issues, we'd really have something." he added.

If you're not snowed in and are looking to catch the Hawks in action, attend Friday's game at the Worthington rink.

5 Questions - Bryan Griffith #27

1) Share your best memory of being an Arrowhawk...
Winning the first of 5 league championships.
2) Playing right wing on a line with your brothers means...
I am going to have to do a lot of skating to make up for their lazy butts.
3) If you had the chance to either score the winning goal or dive to block a potential game winning shot by the opponent which would you choose?
Score the goal for sure. Besides I wouldn't want to take the chance and mess up this pretty face.
4) If you and Mac Lawless were alone at the bar after game would you a) feed the jukebox or b) close the bar?
Close the bar
5) How do you stay in such good hockey shape?
It's all about motivation. I can't let my two younger brothers out play me. I would never hear the end of it.

Hawks battle to 5-3 win

DUBLIN, OH - The midpoint of the Arrowhawks season was on the line early in Friday's matchup with the talented Check Republic team. The Hawks fell behind early 2-0 only 4 minutes into the opening frame. The Check Republic forwards were buzzing like angry bees, firing shot after shot. Mac Lawless and Joe Factor were minus two before they even broke a sweat. Lines were a mess. Oleg Chetverikov, filling in for normal second line center Mark Monahan forgot to register with the official scorer. Third line right wing, Rick Titus forgot his stick by the locker room.

"We were a mess early," said the tallest defenseman on the team, Mac Lawless. "We were sleeping on the job."

Luckily for the Hawks, they found their groove.

Blog staff wasn't able to get a look at the official scoresheet so we have no idea when the goals were scored but eventually the game was tied 2-2 behind great goals from Mac Lawless and Kevin Griffith. Both players displayed solid skill in the offensive zone, besting the Check Republic netminder. Lawless had a gorgeous goal from the point, firing a stellar wrister high over the goalies glove.

"I thought I was going to get drilled in the head," said Griffith after the game. "Luckily, Mac knew what he was doing and hit the net, otherwise I would've been tagged." he said happily rubbing his chin.

Goaltender Jason Jensen did his thing, stopping key shots during the remaining play. He controlled the rebounds and kept the game close until the Hawks could find their stride.

"We stayed with it, despite missing some key offensive players," said 2nd line right wing Jason Torsok. "In all, everyone did their job and we were able to get the job done."

Bryan Griffith was excellent with the puck in both zones. Nate Mensel was moved back to defense for the game, a terrific pre-game move by Tom Morgan who set the lines. Barry Snow moved up to first line wing and fired some good shots in the game.

Bryan scored to make the game 3-2 late in the second period (we think), collecting a rebound in the low slot in traffic.

Jason Torsok put the nail in the coffin late in the third after Kevin Griffith made the game 4-3 with a terrific unassisted effort. The score was 5-3 with 2 minutes to play. Torsok's goal was a great positional effort, when Check Republic tried to clear the zone down low.

The win gives the Hawks an even 3-3 record heading into the final 6 games of the session.

Fall session preview

#18 Nate Mensel swipes at the puck in the offensive zone against Discover in the playoffs.

The Hawks had a terrific summer session, ultimately losing to the Eskimos in the championship game, 5-2. For many the success in the playoffs was a surprise, especially considering the slow start and many new faces. Considering the many regulars that sat out, fans may wonder, what will the fall squad bring to the ice?

Returning to the lineup will be:

• #18 Nate Mensel - a puck handling dynamo and steady two-way player

• #48 Mac Lawless - a top-line defenseman with a long reach and adept offensive ability

• #27 Bryan Griffith - capable of moving the puck through tight spaces. Offensive threat.

• #19 Oleg Chetverikov - a very capable offensive threat with the ability to make something out of nothing at the drop of a hat

• #25 Kevin Griffith - dangerous with the puck in front and along the boards, Kevin is always looking for the open man

• #6 Joe Factor -  swift on his skates and equally dangerous setting up scorers or taking away the opposing teams top offensive threats

• #22 Nick Lanctot - new to the Hawks, Lanctot's speed is a vital north/south weapon and is sure to open the ice for the rest of the team