Bears Hockey 2 Knights 4

Bishop J. O’Connell, #8 per WaPO and #3 in the MAPHL standings, came to the Bears’ Den and were surprised to see many of their opponents being shorn for Haircuts 4 Heroes. That did not deter the visitors from taking an early advantage.

The Arlington skaters were energized and took the initiative for much of the 1^st period. Speed and a rare advantage in the 1 v. 1 battles led to a goal at 9:03 expired.

BJOC outshot Landon 10 to 9 over the initial fifteen minutes. Max Weinstein saved all but one of the Knights’ shots. The netminder made several critical saves to keep the Bears within striking range.

END OF 1^ST PERIOD KNIGHTS 1 BEARS 0

Momentum seemed to shift during the middle period. The Bears #1 line converted passes to a GOAL @ 13:52 expired—the puck went from Will Lawrence to Ryan Giles and then deposited in the goal by Joey Graham.

The Knights benefitted from a PP opportunity with a goal at 11:35. Landon replied with an equalizer @10:11 on assists by Will L and Jake Cohen plus a goal by Ryan.

The referees sent a number of skaters from both teams over the next few minutes, but neither team converted the opportunities into goals. The Knights got goal #3 at 3:15 with the teams skating 4 on 4.

Landon SOGs 24, Max saves 4

END OF 1^ST PERIOD KNIGHTS 3 BEARS 2

Minutes 31 to 45 seemed to be spent almost entirely in the Landon O zone. The Bear skaters won the 1 v. 1s, held the puck inside the blue line, passed well and shot often (13 SOGs). The Knights goalie was able to stop them all; frequently, a Landon shot would find its way through several skaters and miraculously hit the BJO’C goalie’s pad, stick, body or glove. An inch right or left or up or down the scoreboard would have showed equality… but luck intervened against the home team.

With a minute remaining, Max left his nets for the bench. A sixth skater was added to no avail. A puck bounced past off the boards at an odd angle and a Knight had an easy path to tally an EN goal at 1:03.

Max earned 9 saves for the game and the Landon O put 42 SOGs.

FINAL SCORE KNIGHTS 4 BEARS 2

ON JANUARY 30 LANDON FACES GONZAGA AT THE BEARS’ DEN @ 4:15pm.