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P-Men slip past Hawks 4-2 in OKC hockey league

  • Published
  • By John E. Banks
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE --  The third game of play for the Tinker Hawks in division two of the Oklahoma City Adult League was a chance for redemption after two losses. It started out well but the finish was a 4-2 defeat at the hands of the P-Men at the Arctic Edge Ice Arena on June 29.
   The first period saw the Hawks carry the action through the first 10 minutes of play. They were able to control the puck and keep the P-Men pinned down for the majority of the time.
   The Hawks took the early lead with a rebound goal by center Nic Kuc. He was able to send in a shot after right winger Nick Russo sent a blistering wrist shot from the right face circle. This put the Hawks in the lead at 1-0 at 9:57 of the first stanza.
   This lead was short lived as the P-Men scored two unanswered goals over the next five minutes of play to give them a 2-1 advantage.
   "Guys we are just as good as this team. Our mistakes are costing us," said Guy Wisenbach, defensemen for the Hawks, during the break.
   The second period saw the Hawks increase the offensive and defensive pressure on the P-Men. The majority of the period was played in the P-Men's zone. However the Hawks could not get anything passed the P-Men's goaltender.
   "We are playing inspired hockey. The pressure is good but we must capitalize on our opportunities," said Kuc.
   The P-Men once again capitalized on two costly turnovers and they converted them into two quick goals at the start of the third period. This gave them a 4-1 lead at the 3:55 mark of the third period.
   The Hawks were undaunted in their quest to get back into the game. They were rewarded at the 15:00 mark as left winger Andy Spivey skated into the slot area and slammed a rebound shot home by Tony Riddle and cut the lead to 4-2.
   The Hawks tried but failed in their comeback attempt.
   "We played much better as a team tonight. Our turnovers proved to be very costly. I think we are improving each and every time out," said Hawks team captain, Miguel Lopez.
The game was bittersweet for the Hawks as Wisenbach played his last game. He is transferring to another duty assignment.
   "Guy will definitely be missed. He was one of our team leaders," said Lopez.
   The loss by the Hawks dropped their season record to 0-3. They return to the Ice on July 13 at the Blazers Ice Centre at 6 p.m.