LANDON HOCKEY 4 OAKDALE 3

This inter-ursine battle saw the two teams, known as Bears, scratch and claw true to the animal spirits. The MSHL Monocacy powerhouse came to the Bears’ Den with multiple years of conference and state honors; their ‘23-’24 season stood at 5-0 with 34 GF and but 4 GA. The Black-jerseyed Bears’ goalie had a 0.33 GA and a 0.974 save %. 

The visitors took an early lead, scoring at 6:29 and 3:35 to take an impressive 2-0 lead. The White-clad Bears narrowed the margin with an OWEN MOORE goal assisted by Graham Haberl @0:01.3. This last second play is emblematic of Coach Parker’s coaching philosophy—every puck, loose or on the stick of an opponent; every second demands 100% effort. The puck was turned over and the Oakdale G was beaten. 

1st Period Landon SOGs 12; Oakdale SOGs 9; Landon’s JACK LiCalsi saves 7

The next stanza saw the home team’s shooting reach the back of the nets more frequently, @10:36 the scoreboard showed 2-2 when CADEN BLAZER fed REID PEHKRON. An Oakdale player was relegated to the sin bin and REID found WATTS COLCLOUGH for the go ahead PP goal@7:14.

During minutes 12:01 to 24:00, Landon notched 10 more SOGs while JACK L added 5 more saves. 

Down by a goal the Ijamsville team came out of the intermission all fired up and within the first 2 minutes of P3 tied it up. The Bear v. Bear contest continued “full bear” until 1:22 remained when ELI SMINK assisted on a goal by JACK MCSHANE. With 2:00 left the Oakdale coach called a time out. Though his Bears possessed the puck in Coach Parker’s D zone, the visiting G remained in the blue paint until ~ 1:00 on the clock. The Landon d men and the energetic forwards dealt with a 6 on 5 challenge for these seconds. Great sticks in the passing lanes caused loss of puck by Oakdale several times. The home team’s long range shots missed the empty nets on more than one occasion. In any event, the buzzer went off with the Landon Bears ahead. 

3rd period Landon 10 SOGs and JACK L was credited with another 5 saves GAME TOTAL 18. 

FINAL SCORE L-BEARS 4 O-BEARS 3

BIG MAPHL GAME 12/12 3pm home v. Calvert Hall (2-2-0); they beat the MSJ goalie and on Friday SJCHS at Rockville at 5:25; the Cadets are 3-0 with a +29 goal differential. BEARS NEED TO BE THERE!!!