We’ve reached the end of the 2021-2022 high school hockey regular season. For the Upper Montgomery Lightning, the young team is trending upward and there is much to be excited about over the next couple of seasons. The young Lightning squad was much more competitive this season while playing against a higher level of competition. After three straight one goal defeats to begin the season, and then a tie, the team turned its season around by winning five straight games in the middle of the season. Included in this stretch was a hard fought, signature win over the Whitman Vikings. Although encountering a rough patch at the end of the season, the team was competitive against more experienced teams from the top division of the Montgomery Hockey Conference (MHC). For the first time ever in program history, the Lightning qualified for the MHC division one playoffs. A first round game versus the favored and veteran Richard Montgomery Rockets is upcoming next Friday night.
In the upcoming division one playoffs and then likely in the division two playoff tournament, the team will need to improve in several areas; defensive structure, powerplay efficiency, depth scoring, and team based play. Additionally, relying on the top line of Chris Hasset, Ryan Jacobson, and Nathan Cassel to carry the offensive load will not be enough. If the team begins to struggle offensively, expect the coaching staff to quickly change up the lines to try and jump start the offense.
Congratulations go out to the Churchill Bulldogs (Varsity) and the Richard Montgomery Rockets (Junior Varsity) for winning the 2021-2022 Montgomery Hockey Conference regular season championships. Although both squads will be favored in the upcoming playoffs, there are sure to be some surprises in both post season tournaments.
The Lightning offense was led all year by the first line of Chris Hassett (13 GP, 14 goals, 15 assists), Ryan Jacobson (10 GP, 7 goals, 9 assists), and Nathan Cassel (10 GP, 11 goals, 6 assists). Hassett finished 13th in the Maryland State Hockey League statistics in scoring with his 29 points. All three student athletes are in 9th or 10th grade. The future is very bright for this trio. The second line started to find its scoring touch later on in the season. Hunter Cameron (13 GP, 5 goals, 7 assists), Bradley Cupples (13 GP, 1 goal, 12 assists), and Olivia Robbins (9 GP, 1 goal, 3 assists) began to chip in and take some of the pressure off the top line. Against the top tier division one teams, the Lightning found it more difficult to find the back of the net. It was difficult for the third line to achieve chemistry with different line combinations dressed throughout the season.
On defense, James Botti led the group offensively with (11 GP, 4 goals, 9 assists). All four of James’ goals came in the same game versus Wilson. While other defenders chipped in with points, it was the Lightning’s defensive abilities that stood out. Through 2/3rds of the season, the Lightning had given up the fewest goals in the MHC. One of the primary reasons why was the Upper Montgomery penalty kill which was excellent during the regular season, killing off 44 of the 48 opponents’ powerplays, 91.7%. Along with James Botti, George Benedick, Ethan Hockey, Andrew Gean, and Andrew Botti worked hard in the defensive zone to limit the opposition from getting many high danger scoring opportunities. The team found an identity when they clogged up the ice and mucked up the game making it difficult for teams to get many good looks at the net.
In goal, Will Mellen led the way. Mellen led all goalies in the Montgomery Hockey Conference who played in at least half their team’s games with a 2.36 goals against average and a .900 save percentage. He also shared the MHC lead with two shutouts. Landon Bernard saw more extensive varsity action this season picking up his first career high school varsity win in the game against the West Virginia Vipers. He also played extremely well in the road game versus highly ranked Washington County. If the strong goaltending keeps up, the Lightning will be in every game this post season and will have a chance to create some noise with an upset or two in the varsity playoffs and a long run in the junior varsity playoffs.
The Upper Montgomery junior varsity squad recovered nicely from an inconsistent start of the season to finish second in the regular season standings behind Richard Montgomery. The team finished with a 5-3 conference record and a 5-4-2 record overall on the season. Over the final three games of the regular season, the team jelled and played excellent hockey, giving up only four goals against while scoring 15 goals in dominating wins against Rockville, Northwest, and Churchill. The coaching staff’s message of relentless effort and consistency sunk in mid-way through the season and the team responded. The junior varsity team was vastly improved over last season’s team which finished last in the conference with a record of 1-6-1 while being soundly outplayed in many of the games. Not so this season, and it is a testament to the student athletes who came together as a team and found ways to win games. Several late goals against and an atrocious powerplay prevented the team from having an even better season as both non-conference ties and one of the conference losses really should have been wins.
In goal, Landon Bernard started each game. He played well finishing the season with a 3.08 goals against average and an .876 save percentage. However, those individual statistics are misleading and skewed by the game that the junior varsity played against Landon School. The local private school teams are a step up in competition and are similar to playing against a varsity team in the Montgomery Hockey Conference. Omitting that game, Bernard’s individual statistics would be a very stout 2.57 goals against average and an .892 save percentage.
On defense, both Cole Howerton and Patrick Sell improved as the season went along. As 9th grade defenders they frequently played against forwards two grades more experienced. Several varsity student athletes dropped down to help out on defense and provide a calming influence. Andrew Gean, George Benedick, Stephen Shkeda, and Bradley Cupples played several games on the back line for the junior varsity providing much needed leadership and guidance.
Offensively, the team was led by four student athletes; Brandon Bernard led the team in scoring (10 GP, 5 G, 9 A). Bradley Cupples was next with (7 GP, 5 G, 4 A). Joshua Miller led the team with six goals in 11 games including several outstanding solo breakaway goals. Josh Nadler chipped in and scored four goals in his first high school season. The Upper Montgomery powerplay was downright awful during the regular season (2 for 35, 5.7%) and with just an average level of performance would have added goals and wins for the program. A bright spot was the penalty kill. The Upper Montgomery junior varsity penalty kill was excellent this season (39 of 43, 90.7%) and lately the Lightning have owned puck possession during their opponents’ powerplays.
The next few weeks will be fun. A varsity division one playoff game followed by a division two playoff tournament. For the junior varsity defending turf and looking to play deep into the junior varsity playoff tournament. Go Lightning!