Bears Hockey 1 Bulldogs of Potomac 0

2023 Bullis hockey team is larger, deeper, faster and more skilled than in recent seasons. In expectation of a victory at the Bears’ Den, vociferous fans cheered every big hit, but alas, their cheers did not extend to goals by their team. The squad had reasons to believe in beating the Bears (9-4-2 total games, including an Ohio tournament; MAPHL 3-0-1, their #1 goalie had a 1.00 GAA and their O scored 3.1 Goal average in all games). 

The Bears were able to fend off Bullis attacks because PHILIP SEARS stopped all 18 SOGs (10,3,4). The shutout was aided by the stout defenders of the Den (in numerical order, Alex MacMillan, Graham Haberl, Christian Binner, Dash Coffman, Damon Pirko, Eli Smink, Zaakir Kahn) plus a lot of back-checking from the forwards. At the other end of the rink, the Bears O pummeled the Potomac Goalie with 29 shots (11,13.5). The White sweatered team lifted a lot of Bullis passes, anticipated the right position to intercept their opponents passes and to set up passes from teammates and flew up/down the ice. 

It was good to know that Landon’s superb trainer, Mike McCormick (well trained in how to use an AED), was present because the play was filled with thrilling highlights. The 1^st period saw a lot of skating up and down the ice, but no scores 

@5:15 of period 2, on a powerplay, Watts Colclough put a hard shot on the Bullis goalie, who was not able to contain it. Sebby Kenary, whose size, anticipation and quick footwork make him a threat out in front of the net, received the rebound, quickly ripped the back of the net to make it Bears 2 Bulldogs 0.

The remaining ~25 minutes saw so much good play by both teams. The relatively quiet visitors stands signaled that the Bears had most of the advantages. The final stanza saw great D by all of the Bethesda skaters—with the visitors intent on equally the score, they launched only 5 shots.  

With a 1-0 lead, the opportunities for heart attacks were great, but no opportunities converted. The final second drama: Bullis pulls its goalie at about 1:33 when a Bear icing led to a faceoff in the opponents O zone, then a pass out of the rink ate more time, another faceoff was controlled by Landon in its own end, took the puck to their O zone and a Landon skater pushed it towards the 6’ x4’ Bullis metal aperture only to see a Bulldog slide across the ice to make a save. The clock was at 06:09 as the visitors won a F/O, but the big Bulldog was not able to shoot before the HORN SOUNDED (Philip was ready, however). 

FINAL SCORE BEARS 1 BULLDOGS 0

NEXT GAME vs. Archbishop Spalding 01/18 HOME @4:30