Oklahoma City Adult Hockey League Division II: Hawks garner first win of the season

  • Published
  • By John E. Banks
  • Tinker Public Affairs
The Tinker Hawks hockey club earned its first win versus the Knights on July 12 at the Blazers Ice Centre. They were looking for a victory to climb back into contention in Oklahoma City Adult Hockey League's division two standings. Their wishes were rewarded by a resounding 5-3 victory. 
   The Hawks had to overcome adversity early in the game. Knights' right winger Mike Montgomery put his team on the board early as he redirected a slap shot from the right point giving the Knights their only lead of the contest at the 1:26 mark of first period.
   The Hawks turned up the offensive pressure, scoring four consecutive goals over the next 10 minutes of play. 
   The first came when Hawks left winger Frank Ruzzene feathered a soft pass to right winger Dave McClean sent a blistering shot into the net tying the score at 1-1. 
    The second goal came just as quick as the first. Team captain and center Miguel Lopez pounced on a rebound shot from Ruzzene at the 8:22 mark, giving the Hawks a 2-1 lead they would never relinquish.
    The third goal came two minutes later as center Andy Spivey sent a pass cross ice from the left corner and forward Brett Bilbe deposited it in the back of the net giving the Hawks a 3-1 lead. 
   The fourth and final goal of the period came as Ruzzene rifled a shot from the right face-off circle and then Lopez gathered the puck, deked the goaltender and lifted a shot top-shelf, giving the Hawks a 4-1 advantage at the break. 
   "This game of hockey is a lot more fun when you score some goals and are in the lead," said Hawks defenseman Sam Lomanaco. 
   "Guys, we are playing great hockey. Let's keep up the pressure in their zone. Also, do not make blind passes out of our end," said McClean. "Let's test their goalie on the sharp angles on either side of the net and I think we should be able to score more goals." 
   The Hawks and Knights traded goals in the second period. The Hawks goal could have been on a highlight reel. Ruzzene lift a quick backhand shot past the Knights' net minder halfway through period two, giving the Hawks and insurmountable lead of 5-3. 
   All the Hawks chanted the ESPN theme song after Ruzzene goal. 
   "That goal was awesome. It should be on ESPN Play of the Day," said McClean.
   The Knights applied the pressure for the remainder of the contest, but the Hawks were up to the task. Goaltender Doug Heatherington was a stonewall for the Hawks. He was able to stop 13 of 14 shots in the third period giving the Hawks their first win of the season. 
   The win improved the Hawks record to 1-2 on the season, while the loss dropped the Knights to 0-3 on the year. 
   The Hawks return to the ice on Jul 20 with a division match up versus P-Men at the Artic Ice Edge arena at 4:45 p.m.