LANDON HOCKEY 3 GP 2 in another O/T win sending Landon to the MAPHL Finals (02.19.2020)

LANDON HOCKEY 3 GP 2 in another O/T win sending Landon to the MAPHL Finals

For the eleventh consecutive game, including all IAC and MAPHL playoff games, the Bears faced a team with a religious name. In fact, Montgomery Country diversity laws required that Landon must win in order to continue a non-sectarian team in the MAPHL finals—

The semifinal Middle Atlantic match was the third contest between the Bears and the the prior encounters were a GP 3-2 win and then a Landon 5-0 victory in the IAC Championship game.

The rubber match saw the two familiar foes feel each other out; in fact, there was nary a SOG five minutes into the first fifteen minutes. The home team at the Laurel Ice Gardens scored first on a short-handed goal The visitors, however, had a substantial advantage in the comparative shot count. Major credit to the Bear D (all 5 on the ice for each shift) for keeping the GP skaters at bay.

As the clock moved into the second period, the #3 seed was able to control the puck more effectively in the ’ O zone. The effort resulted in 2 great goals.

About 3 mins into the 2nd stanza, Kyle Radimer roofed a laser of a wrist shot to tie the game (assists to Ethan Weinstein and Tommy Kenary)

The Bear pressure did not relent and 2 minutes later, Matt Brille gave Landon the lead @ 5:26 when he one-timed home the rebound of Tommy’s shot.

The 2-1 advantage evaporated in the 3^rd period. During minutes 31 to 45 the tied the score on a PPG.

For the third time this season, and two consecutive MAPHL playoffs, the Bears were faced with a tie- two against Bishop O’Connell (the 2^nd was a victory). On this night, the O/T started with 10 minutes on the board. At 3:48 remaining in a first overtime, however, Ryan Giles snapped a high wrister off the post and into the net. Assists to Jacob Hookman-Vassa and Joey Graham.

FINAL SCORE BEARS 3 PREP 2

FRIDAY’S FINALS again at the Laurel Ice Gardens @ 7 pm –MSJ or SJCHS

Dummy me, left my game notes at the Ice Gardens; so, the usual details are absent here.