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Canadians A skate past Hawks I 6 - 1

  • Published
  • By John E. Banks
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE --  The Canadians A hockey team closed out the Oklahoma City Adult Hockey League Division II regular season with a 6-1 victory over the Tinker Hawks I April 27.
   The Canadians dominated play in the first period. Their first goal came on a cross ice pass from Mark Keown to Bill Chirch, who lifted a quick wrist shot into the net over Hawks goaltender Brad Poarch.
   The second and third goals of the period came 90 seconds apart. The first of these two goals was scored by Chirch. He skated in all alone and sent a blistering shot past Poarch in the left corner of net, extending the Canadians lead to 2-0.
   The final goal of the period was the result of constant pressure by the Canadians. Justin Smith intercepted an errant pass in the neutral zone and skated in on Poarch and lifted a backhander into the net to make the score 3-0.
   "Our skating was great in the first period and with only five skaters we have to make sure we help each other tonight," said Chirch.
   The second period was as fast paced as the first. At 9:40 of the period, forward Jeff Bateman scored on a breakaway to give the Canadians a four-goal lead.
   Sam Lomanaco put the Hawks on the board in the second period. Nic Kuc sent a pass from the left dasher boards to the front of the net and then defenseman Sam Lomanaco sent a blistering shot in the net.
   "Our team got a little tired in the second," Chirch said during intermission. "We should be better in the third."
   Chirch was right on target in his assessment of his team. The Canadians scored two goals two minutes apart to take the victory.
   On the first goal, Keown intercepted a pass at center ice, skated in on Poarch and slid a shot into the back of the net. The final tally of the game happened after Keown once again skated in on Poarch from the left face-off circle and lifted a quick shot past Poarch making the finals core 6-1.
   "We were a little off tonight and with the talent of the Canadians you always have to be at your best," said Beatty.
   The three stars of the game were Keown who had two goals and an assist, Chirch who scored two goals and Hawks forward Andy Spivey.
   With the win, the Canadians record improves to 18-2-1, which garners them the No. 1 seed in the playoffs that begin Sunday. The loss drops the Hawks to fourth place with a 13-7-1 record.