Early Mistakes Costly As Hawks Fall To Edge, 4-3
Despite playing a solid game overall, the Ice Hawks payed dearly for mental lapses and lost to the Edge for the second time in summer league play. The game featured two goals by Gary Arakaki and the return of Hawks all-time scoring leader, Steve Arsenault, from a knee injury.

The Ice Hawks looked rusty after a 19-day layoff and the Edge capitalized early, scoring a pair of goals just 13 seconds apart to take a 2-0 lead halfway through the first period. After the quick strikes, the Hawks settled down, closing the score to 2-1 when Gary Arakaki banged in a loose puck after Craig PekarekÕs shot eluded the Edge goalkeeper. With just 8 seconds left in the period, the Hawks drew even when Hank Ross picked up a misplayed puck on the boards and fed Scott Dvorak in the crease for an easy score.

All evening, the Hawks forwards were thwarted by an Edge defense that forced the wings to the boards. The Birds played into the Edge defensive scheme by forcing shots from extreme angles and bunching up. On numerous occasions two Hawk forwards could be found behind the net in the offensive zone; leaving the crease devoid of attackers. In the second period, confusion in the defensive zone allowed the Edge to regain the lead 3-2.

In the third period, the visitors stretched the lead to 2 when a rebound shot beat a screened Tim Christ. The Hawks stepped up the offensive pressure and drew within one goal when Gary Arakaki tallied his second score of the night in a goalmouth scramble. Late penalties to Brian Gibson and Craig Pekarek took the steam out of the offense and the Hawks could not capitalize on a high-stick penalty to the Edge, despite pulling the goalie and mounting a heated attack on the net.