MAPHL Q-Finals BEARS 3 POTOMAC BULLDOGS 0

It’s tough to play an opponent three times. The Bears have two victories against Bullis, the last was a double overtime win to capture the IAC tournament trophy. All the matches were physical and close, in fact, the Bulldogs took a 2-0 lead, but the home team came back to tie and then win in a shootout. This history portended another tough game in the Bears Den. 

This game started with a 0-0 score- Philip Sears shut out the opponents on 8 SOGs in the first segment. The Bear O put 9 SOGs over these 15 minutes. Coach Parkers’ skaters hustled up and down the ice- timely stick checks, smart puck movement, strong physical play. The Landon pace was exceptional, always pressing their opponents everywhere!!!  

. 

END OF PERIOD 1– BEARS 0 BULLDOGS 0 

This was the period that tried the Bulldogs’ souls. The momentum swong to the home team starting at 9:55 when OWEN CALDERONE beat the BS goalie with assists to QUINN FARLAND and CHRISTIAN DAYMUDE.

The Bears tallied their go-ahead goal @1:37 by SEBBY KENARY with an assist to TOMMY TROWERN.

The total team D was a major reason for the ZERO Bulldog goals in period 2. Soon after the puck drop, a Blue/Gold bumble bee skater broke into the Landon O zone on a breakaway, Philip stopped him cold. Our wingers frequently beat the Potomac team into both zones. The Bear D was stalwart for all 45 minutes- in numerical order – Caden Blazer, Alex MacMillian, Graham Haberl, Dash Coffman, Damon Pirko, Eli Smink and Zaakir Khan. This structured defense only allowed their opponents to put 4 SOGs; whereas the Bethesda boys blasted 16 at the Bulldogs netminder. 

END OF 2^ND PERIOD—BEARS 2 BULLDOGS 0 

After the ice was cut during the intermission, one would have expected the trailing team to come out flying. Not so. It seemed as though whenever the Bulldogs gained possession in the Landon O end, one of their forwards broke deep (“cherry picking”?), it did not work. The 4 Bears were regularly able to regain the puck by defeating the opponents break out plays. 

The scorekeepers were able to save their pencils from recording any goals until Graham converted a pass from Reid Pehrkon  @ 0:46. The Bear PP registered their MAPHL (regular and playoffs) leading extra man goal of 17.

Philip stopped all 4 Bullis SOGs and his teammates pelted his opposite number with 11 SOGs.

FINAL BEARS 3 BULLDOGS 0

Landon meets another IAC team—Georgetown Prep Friday 2/25 5:30pm at The Gardens Ice House Patrick Rink