Tinker Hawks II riding winning streak

Published Feb. 29, 2008
By John E. Banks
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- The Tinker Hawks II hockey team entered Feb. 24 riding a three-game winning streak.
   They extended their streak with a 5-3 win over the Wounded Deer hockey club in Oklahoma City Adult Hockey League Division III action.
   The game got off to a quick start behind the offensive prowess of forward Dave McClay. He scored two quick goals with the first three minutes of play in the first period.
   The first goal came on a cross-ice pass from fellow forward Clark McClay and the then Dave McClay deposited the puck behind the opponents' net minder at the 1:34 mark giving the Hawks an early 1-0 lead. 15 Seconds later, Dave McClay redirected an errand pass from the Wounded Deer and the score was 2-0.
   "The Hawks are able to capitalize on the opponents mistakes and give us an advantage," said Dave McClay.
   The Hawks continued their dominant play later in the first period. Defensemen Brandon Burk skated the length of the ice and fired a blistering wrist shot giving the Hawks a 3-0 lead at the 12:10 mark of the period.
   The Hawks made it 4-0 with just two minutes gone in the second period on a blistering slap shot by forward Jeff Cheverie.
   The Wounded Deer came back strong on the strength of three straight goals by forward Bryan Thomas. These three goals cut the score to 4-3 with six m minutes remaining in the contest.
   The Hawks buckled down and got an insurance goal by forward Jason Burk on a great pass from Jeremiah Beckham giving the Hawks a 5-3 lead they would never surrender.
   "Our team is starting to play as a well-oiled unit. We are getting used to each other and we are putting some wins together," said Dann Pettit, goaltender for the Hawks.
   With the win , the Hawks moved into second place with a record of 7-3-2. The Hawks are next on the ice against the Blues at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Blazers Ice Centre.