Canadians skate past Hawks 4-3 Published Feb. 26, 2009 By John E. Banks Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- The Canadian Forces of the 552nd Air Control Wing Canadian Component narrowly squeaked by the Tinker Hawks A squad 4-3 at Arctic Edge Ice Arena Feb 22. The victory helps keep the CAF perched atop the division four Oklahoma City Adult Hockey League standings. The initial stages of the first period were a stalemate as each team tried to figure the other out and most of the play was between the blue lines. The CAF squad got on the scoreboard first on a goal by defenseman Paul Burgwin. He intercepted an errant pass at center ice, skated in on goalie Brad Poarch and lifted a backhand shot over the outstretched Poarch at 7:29, giving the CAF a 1-0 lead. The Canadians went up by two goals eight minutes later. Burgwin sent a shot from the left point and left winger Eric Savoie picked up the rebound and put it in the net at 15:27 to increase the lead to 2-0. The Hawks got back into the game at 1:45 of the second period when right winger George Ambelang intercepted an errant pass, skated in on CAF goaltender Steve Heus and lifted a shot into th upper right corner of net. The CAF squad increased its lead to 3-1 as Savoie sent a cross-ice pass to Burgwin, who lifted a backhander into the net. On a strange play, Dave McClay was credited with the Hawks second goal of the game. The CAF's Burgwin attempted to clear the puck from his own zone and instead, sent an errant pass that ended up in his own goal. Because McClay was the closest Hawk to the play, he was awarded the goal. The Hawks responded with more enthusiasm and were rewarded for their hard play. McClay sent a blistering shot from the right point and Ambelang scooped up the rebound and scored tying the score at three goals apiece. The CAF scored the game winner at 11:24 of the third period. After taking a pass from Burgwin, center Paul Whittington skated in all alone and faked out Poarch to put the CAF up 4-3. The Hawks tried to tie the game, but all their shots were turned away by Heus. The win improves the CAF record to 10-1-1, while the drops the Tinker Hawks A team to 7-4-1. The players of the game were Burgwin, who tallied two goals and an assist, and Ambelang, who had two goals for the Hawks.