Author: chucklevine

The Upper Montgomery Lightning won their first game of the season Tuesday evening easily beating Wilson. The game was not competitive right from puck drop as the Lightning’s first line of Ryan Jacobson, Chris Hassett, and Nathan Cassel dominated against the over-matched Stars in the 9-0 shutout victory. With the victory Upper Montgomery is likely to rise in the league rankings ahead of the release of the cross division games scheduled for the second half of the season.

The Lightning got off to a fast start pressuring the Stars right from the first shift of the game. A shot from the point by Andrew Gean deflected into the right corner where it was retrieved by Chris Hassett. Hassett centered the puck to Nathan Cassel who tried a between the legs shot that went over the net. Hassett again retrieved the puck this time in the left corner and he curled into the slot. His wrist shot to the top of the net, high glove side, beat Stars netminder Jack Kobil. Three minutes later the Lightning would up the lead to 2-0 on a goal by Cassel. Off the cycle in the left offensive corner, Hassett fed the point to James Botti. Botti returned the puck down the boards to Hassett who centered the puck to Cassel cutting down the slot. Cassel wasted no time and fired a wrist shot high blocker side past Kobil. Before the first period was over, the Lightning would increase the lead to 3-0. Off of a defensive zone faceoff, Bradley Cupples and Hunter Cameron would use teamwork to find the back of the net. Cupples advanced the puck into the neutral zone where it caromed off of a Stars defender and right back to him. A short, quick pass found Cameron cutting into the Stars defensive zone along the right wing. Cameron skated wide around the Stars defense. From the off wing he shot high blocker side into the far top corner of the net to provide the Lightning a comfortable lead. A dominant period for the Lighting saw them outshoot Wilson 20-0.

The second period saw more of the same. The Lightning controlled the pace of play and all of the action was in the Stars defensive zone. Shots on goal in the second period finished 18-1 Lightning. The Lightning’s first line took control of the period applying heavy pressure and backchecking hard to cause multiple turnovers in the neutral zone which led to quick transition rushes. Off of the only Stars shot of the period, James Botti rimmed the puck from the back of the Lightning net and up the left wing boards to Hassett. Hassett outskated the Stars down the ice and fed the puck in front to Jacobson who was driving the net. Jacobson outmuscled the Stars defender and swatted the puck into the net on his forehand. Three minutes later the score would jump to 5-0 on Josh Miller’s first varsity goal for the Lightning. Brandon Bernard backchecked to win the puck against the left wing boards in the Stars defensive zone. He gained control of the puck and skated around the net. As he reached the bottom of the right circle, he passed to James Botti at the point. Botti skated down into the top of the right faceoff circle and passed cross crease to Miller who was wide open at the far post. Miller settled the puck and shot low blocker side past Kobil. The final goal of the second period was fueled by more hard work by the top line. Hassett won the puck at center ice. He dished the puck wide to Jacobson along the left wing boards. Jacobson entered the zone and centered to Hassett. Hassett passed wide to Cassel coming down the right wing with a clear path to the net. As he was about to shoot, Cassel passed back to Hassett directly in front of the net for an easy tap in goal. Most of the remainder of the second period was spent with the Stars on the power play as the Lighting had no trouble killing off a double minor roughing penalty to Cupples.

The third period was a continuation of the first thirty minutes of action. Lightning pressure, shots on Kobil (42 saves), and three more goals. Off of an offensive zone faceoff, Hassett controlled the puck. He skated around the net and up the left wing boards. He cycled the puck back to Jacobson in the corner. Jacobson spun away from two defender and fed the point to George Benedick who fired a wrist shot on Kobil. The rebound bounced into the slot and Hassett controlled it, stepped one stride to the right to get around Kobil, and deposited a short forehand shot into the net. With 4:30 seconds left in the game, Gean would score to increase the lead to 8-0. After a zone entry, the Stars defense attempted to clear the puck under pressure from Cassel. The puck was kept in at the right point by Gean. He fired a quick shot toward the net which deflected off the Stars defense in front and past Kobil glove side for his first goal of the season. A minute later Hassett would finish off the scoring. Benedick took possession of the puck in the Lightning defensive zone. He skated up the left wing and into the offensive zone. He cut to the middle of the ice and lost the puck under defensive pressure. The puck slid right to Hassett who shot far side past Kobil’s blocker and into the net. The Stars were given a late power play with fifteen second left in the game after a roughing penalty to Josh Nadler, his second penalty of the period. Off a goal mouth scramble in front of Will Mellen, the Stars had three of their four shots on goal in the period as they attempted to avoid being shutout.

Game Notes:

• All three Lightning first line forwards all had multi-point games; Chris Hassett (4 goals, 2 assists), Nathan Cassel (1 goal, 2 assists), and Ryan Jacobson (1 goal, 2 assists).
• The Lightning picked up their first win of the season.
• Jack Kobil made 42 saves for the Stars.
• Will Mellen had his first shutout of the season, lowering his goals against average to 1.67.
• Josh Miller scored his first varsity goal for the Lightning in the second period.
• Shots on goal; Upper Montgomery 51, Wilson Stars 5. Shots on goal after two periods were 38-1.
• Upper Montgomery had zero power play opportunities.
• The Upper Montgomery penalty kill was a perfect 5-5.
• The game had a running clock from the 5:32 mark of the second period until the end of the game once the score reached 6-0.
• The Lightning are next in action on Friday, December 3rd at 8:15 pm at Cabin John Ice Rink for a non-conference game versus the West Virginia Vipers.

Three Stars of the Game:

First Star—Chris Hassett—Upper Montgomery Center—4 Goals, 2 Assists
Second Star—Nathan Cassel—Upper Montgomery Forward–-1 Goal, 2 Assists
Third Star—Ryan Jacobson—Upper Montgomery Forward—1 Goal, 2 Assists

The Upper Montgomery Lightning junior varsity squad dominated Glenelg this past Friday afternoon but left Skate Frederick with a single point after a 3-3 tie in the non-conference game. The junior varsity next faces Landon after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Friday’s game was an early 3:30 pm start which made it difficult for all student athletes to arrive at the rink on time for the start of the game. The Lightning began the game without a goalie in net. James Hyman played a sweeper role in front of the net for the first 3:30 of the game. During the time when the Lightning played with six skaters, they took the play to Glenelg. Unfortunately, the only rush up ice for the Gladiators resulted in a goal. A centering pass from the corner into the high slot area took an unlucky bounce off of T.J. Gottesman’s stick and deflected into the wide open net just 1:12 into the contest.

The Lightning would strike back right away, just 33 seconds later. Hyman swept the puck from in front of the net to Bradley Cupples along the right wing board in the defensive zone. Josh Miller read the play and streaked up the middle of the ice on a zone breakout. Cupples hit Miller in stride with a deft pass and Miller outraced the defense breaking in alone against Gladiator netminder Zain Huda. A quick fake to the backhand left Miller with an empty net in which to deposit the puck to even the score. Shots on goal in the first period were 11 to 3 in favor of the Lightning.

The second period saw more Lightning domination. Entire shifts were played in the Gladiators defensive zone. Shots on goal in the second period would be 14 to 1 Lightning. Upper Montgomery would jump on top for the first time on a Josh Nadler goal with 4:30 seconds left in the period. Adam Levine made a nifty backhand pass from the left circle to Gottesman who was alone in front of Huda. Gottesman’s shot from in tight went off of Huda’s pads and bounced around in front of the goal. Nadler found the puck in the low slot and banged it home through numerous legs and sticks.

The Lightning went defensive in the third period in an attempt to close out the win. At the very beginning of the period Thomas Seaman tied the game for the Gladiators with a goal assisted by Adam Roesler. Just 29 seconds in and Glenelg had life after being badly outplayed for the first two periods.

Soon thereafter, the Lightning went on the power play after Roesler was caught elbowing Levine while they were battling for puck possession along the boards in the Lightning defensive zone. The Lightning were unable to convert on the power play and then took two straight undisciplined penalties in the offensive zone. On the first penalty, Cupples was called for a retaliatory slash while sitting on the ice after a collision just inside the Gladiators blue line. During the ensuing penalty kill, Brandon Bernard took possession of the puck on the right side of the Lightning defensive zone. He skated up and across the ice through the neutral zone and into the left wing of the Gladiators defensive zone. At the bottom of the faceoff circle he uncorked a sharp wrist shot that fooled Huda to the short side giving the Lightning the lead once again.

After killing off the penalty to Cupples, the Lightning were right back on the penalty kill as Henry Honacki took a holding penalty while battling Roesler in the corner to the left of Huda with 3:35 remaining in the game. The Lightning penalty kill was up to the task and killed off their third short handed situation of the game.

The Gladiators called timeout with 1:39 seconds left in the game to discuss strategy and pulled Huda for an extra skater. After the Lightning cleared the defensive zone, Roesler controlled the puck at center ice. He skated toward the Lightning defensive zone and tripped as he approached the blue line. The puck squirted through the Lightning defenders and Roesler collected the puck as he regained his footing. He released a wrist shot through a screen and into the top corner of the net to tie the game with 1:11 remaining. The Lightning would get one final chance as they went to an abbreviated power play at the end of the game, but could not put another one past Huda.

Game Notes:

• Josh Nadler scored his team leading third goal of the season.
• Josh Miller scored his second goal of the season, both on breakaways.
• Shots on goal; Upper Montgomery 29, Glenelg 12.
• For the season the Lightning penalty kill is 6-6.
• For the season the Lightning power play is 0-5.
• The Lightning junior varsity is next in action on Tuesday, November 30 at 5:45 pm facing Landon at Rockville Ice Arena.

Three Stars of the Game:

First Star—Zain Huda—Glenelg Goalie—26 saves
Second Star—Adam Roesler—Glenelg Defense–Game Tying Goal, 1 Assist
Third Star—Brandon Bernard—Upper Montgomery Forward—Short Handed Goal

The Upper Montgomery Lightning jumped out to a large, early 3-0 lead Friday evening versus the DC Stars. Unable to hold onto the lead, the Lightning settled for an unsatisfying 3-3 tie at Rockville Ice Arena. The team is now 0-3-1 on the season and still in search of its first victory. This game was critical to the playoff hopes for the team and now the Lightning will be in must win mode in their upcoming games versus the Wilson Stars and the Northwest Jaguars.

The coaching staff had the team ready to play. The Lightning came out fast with a heavy forecheck against the Stars. Just 37 seconds into the game the Lightning jumped out on top. Chris Hassett intercepted a bad clearing pass by the Stars defense, gaining possession just before the puck crossed back into the neutral zone. He skated wide, deep into the offensive zone and fed a pass in front to Ryan Jacobson. Jacobson caught the pass on his forehand, stickhandled nicely to his back hand, faked, and easily beat Stars goalie Thomas O’Toole for his second goal of the season. One shift, one goal, and the Lightning were off to the start they needed.

Quickly thereafter the teams traded power play opportunities. Lightning defender George Benedick visited the penalty box twice over the remainder of the period for roughing. Stars forward Thomas Cooperman would also visit the sin bin twice. The Lightning controlled the puck in the offensive zone on their power plays. Many of their shots went wide of the net or were shot over the net. On the penalty kill the Lightning stuffed the Stars not giving up any good looks or high quality scoring chances. At the end of the first period the Lightning had given up only four shots on goal and had kept Stars high scoring center Malcolm Baar in check.

The start of the second period was a carbon copy of the first. On the initial shift of the period, a heavy backcheck by Ryan Jacobson caused a turnover along the boards in the Stars defensive zone. Jacobson controlled the puck, curled into the high slot area and fired a quick wrist shot five hole on O’Toole for his second goal of the evening. An unassisted tally at 16 seconds of the period gave the Lightning momentum. A minute and a half later, the score would grow once again to 3-0. Off of a face off in the defensive zone, Bradley Cupples intercepted a Stars pass and skated through the neutral zone down the left wing and into the Stars defensive zone. He slid a pass into the slot for Olivia Robbins. Her quick snap shot beat O’Toole for her first goal of the season and put the Lightning ahead by three.

Then, it seemed as if the Lightning began to relax and play free. They peppered O’Toole with 16 shots in the second period, but they were unable to grow the lead. At the 9:40 mark of the second period, the Stars would get one goal back. Stars highly skilled center Malcolm Baar picked up the puck in the defensive zone along the boards. He sped down the left wing through all three zones and cut to the middle of the ice. He maneuvered past James Botti with a forehand to backhand deke and went in alone on Lightning goalie Will Mellen. One more fake to the backhand and Baar slid the puck into the net.

The Lighting would enter the third period with a 3-1 lead. At the 9:14 mark of the period the score would tighten. Baar came in alone down the left wing. He pulled up at the top of the left faceoff circle and fired a slap shot to Mellen’s glove side. Mellen got a large chunk of the shot, but it powered through his catching glove and behind him into the net. The score was 3-2 on what looked like an innocent play.

For the next seven minutes the Lightning clamped down and did a good job of keeping the Stars out of the high danger areas in the offensive zone. The Stars kept pushing and eventually found the equalizer. At the end of a long shift, a failed clearing attempt by the Lightning proved pivotal. Thomas Cooperman corralled a loose puck in the corner to the left of Mellen. He skated toward the front of the net and fired a shot far side past Mellen. With 2:21 left in the game, the Stars had fought all the way back for the tie and a point in the standings.

Game Notes:

• Ryan Jacobson had two goals for the Lightning.
• The Lightning picked up their first point of the season with the tie.
• The Stars have tied three of their first four games of the season.
• Shots on goal; Upper Montgomery 31, DC Stars 19
• Power Plays—Upper Montgomery 0-5, DC Stars 0-3.
• The Lightning are next in action on Tuesday, November 23rd at 5:30 pm facing the Wilson Stars at Wheaton Ice Rink.

Three Stars of the Game:

First Star—Malcolm Baar—DC Stars Center—2 Goals
Second Star—Ryan Jacobson—Upper Montgomery Forward–-2 Goals
Third Star—Olivia Robbins—Upper Montgomery Forward—1 Goal

The Upper Montgomery Lightning came up just short once again as a furious rally over the final three minutes of Friday night’s game at Rockville Ice Arena fell one goal short. The highly talented Blair Blazers prevailed in a high scoring, back and forth affair, 7-6. The Lightning have now lost three consecutive one goal games to start the season playing against the top three teams in the division standings. Lightning Coach Todd Hassett was proud of the team’s effort and the spirit with which the team fought and competed to the final horn.

The game started out with the Lightning immediately on the penalty kill as James Botti was sent to the penalty box for tripping 12 seconds into the contest. The Lightning managed to kill off the penalty and began to turn up the offensive pressure. Nathan Cassel gathered in a loose puck in the defensive zone and pushed the puck forward to Chris Hassett. Hassett sent the puck wide toward the boards and directly onto the stick of Ryan Jacobson. Jacobson tore down the left wing into the offensive zone and riffled a wrist shot far side and past Blazers goalie Lily Bendavid for his first career high school goal.

The Blazers would tie the game five minutes later on a power play marker from Zander Frey. Just seven seconds after Lightning defender Andrew Botti went to the box for hooking, Blair would tie the game off of a faceoff win in the Lightning defensive zone. Landon Bernard made the initial save on Ryan Frank’s slap shot from the point, but the rebound careened into the slot and a touch pass from Ben Russell over to Frey provided the space for him to shove the puck past Bernard. Bernard would settle in to the period nicely and made some acrobatic and difficult saves to keep the Blazers at bay the rest of the period. With a couple of minutes left in the first period, Lightning forward Stephen Shkeda received a big check from Blazers forward Alex Birchard on what should have likely been a major penalty if called properly by the officiating crew. Birchard was lucky to escape with no penalty called on the play.

After a hooking penalty to Blazers forward Michael Humphreys, the Lightning would strike for their first power play goal of the season. After a slick zone entry, the Lightning worked the puck around the rim of the boards. James Botti’s shot from the left point was wide of the net. Jacobson collected the puck in the far corner and dished to the slot where Cassel buried a one-time slap shot past Bendavid to put Upper Montgomery up 2-1.

The Blazers would come out flying in the second period. Using a strategy of pushing forwards up the ice, there were several rushes where Blazers forwards were skating in alone behind the Lightning defense. Michael Humphreys would tie the game two minutes into the second period on a breakaway. A minute later Alex Birchard would score on a two on one break. Off the ensuing faceoff, the Blazers would score again with Chris Birchard poking a loose puck in the slot past Bernard. Just like that in a minute and a half a 2-1 Lightning lead had become a 4-2 deficit.

At the ten minute mark of the second period, the Blazers began taking unforced penalties. First, Ryan Frank was called for elbowing Stephen Shkeda. On the power play, the Lightning thought they had closed the gap. A delayed penalty was being called on Blazers star center Remy Chartol for roughing Lightning defender George Benedick, when James Botti sent a wrist shot toward the goal. The puck deflected in front and into the net. The referees waived off the goal due to a high stick touching the puck. However, the sticks of both Jacobson and Hassett were nowhere near above the top of the crossbar. The Lightning did not let the second bad call of the evening affect their play. On the 5 on 3 power play, the Lightning struck. Hunter Cameron pushed the puck down the right side boards to Jacobson in the corner. Jacobson swept a back hand pass out into the front of the net finding a wide open Hassett who finished easily and the Blazers lead was cut to one.

Back and forth the teams went. Blair would again jump out to a two goal lead on a short handed goal by Ben Russell. A bad clearing attempt by the Lightning was kept in the zone by Chris Birchard. Birchard fed the puck in deep along the left boards to Humphreys who cut toward the net. Bernard was able to make the initial save, but Russell beat the Lightning defense to the puck in the crease area and jammed the puck into the net. Blair would extend their lead to 6-3 on another outnumber rush up the ice. This time it was Chartol finishing off a two on one rush off of a nice pass from Frank. Just 13 seconds later Hassett would score his second goal of the game. Jacobson pressured the Blazers defense down the left side in the offensive zone and forced a turnover. Collecting the puck, he cut to the net and had the puck poke checked off his stick by Bendavid. Fortunately for the Lightning, the puck bounced directly out to Hassett who was charging hard toward the front of the net. Hassett poked the puck past the left leg of Bendavid and into the far side of the net. At the end of two periods of play, Blair led 6-4.

Blair would again take a three goal lead at the 8:34 mark of the third period on Chris Birchard’s second goal of the game off assists from JJ St. Aubin and Chartol. Just when it looked like the Lightning were running out of time, Blair inexplicitly began taking ill advised penalties. First it was Chartol with an unnecessary cross checking penalty in the neutral zone on Olivia Robbins. He proceeded to argue the call and drew an additional two minute penalty. On the first power play, the Lightning were unable to cash in. Then, with 30 seconds to go on the second minor penalty, Ryan Frank took a dangerous cross checking penalty in the corner burying Bradley Cupples. Frank’s penalty gave the Lightning another 5 on 3 power play advantage. Although they did not score, the Lightning kept pressuring the Blazers.

Upon departing the penalty box Chartol remained on the ice to kill off the penalty to Frank. He chased the puck down ice and checked James Botti behind the Lightning net drawing his fourth penalty of the game and an automatic game misconduct. Back again on yet another 5 on 3 power play the Lighting would cash in with 1:12 left in the game. Robbins passed the puck from the left circle into the middle looking for Cassel in the slot. The puck ticked off of his stick and bounced to Cupples. Cupples was not able to gain total control of the puck but nudged it back to Cassel who fired a wrist shot far side from the bottom of the right face off circle.

Chris Hassett won the ensuing face off at center ice back to Andrew Botti. Botti raced up the left side of the ice and all the way around the net. He curled a backhand shot around the post and stuffed the puck into the net before Bendavid could come across the crease. For Botti it was his first career high school goal and with 58 seconds left in the game the Lightning now only trailed by one. Upper Montgomery kept pressuring over the final minute of the game pulling Bernard with 30 seconds left to create a 6 on 5 advantage. Time expired before the Lightning could find the net one final time to cap what would have been an epic comeback.

Game Notes:

• Several student athletes had multi-point performances.
  • Blair
    • Chris Birchard, 2 Goals, 1 Assist, Game Winning Goal
    • Alex Birchard, 1 Goal, 1 Assist
    • Michael Humphreys, 1 Goal, 1 Assist
    • Remy Chartol, 1 Goal, 1 Assist
    • Ben Russel, 1 Goal, 1 Assist
    • Ryan Frank, 2 Assists
  • Upper Montgomery
    • Chris Hassett, 2 Goals, 2 Assists
    • Ryan Jacobson, 1 Goal, 3 Assists
    • Nathan Cassel, 2 Goals, 1 Assist
• Shots on goal were even; Upper Montgomery 29, Blair 28
• Power Plays—Upper Montgomery 4-7, Blair 1-3.
• Upper Montgomery scored two 5 on 3 PPGs.
• Nathan Cassel has scored a goal in each of his first three high school games.
• Ryan Jacobson and Andrew Botti each scored their first career high school goals for the Lightning.
• The Lightning have now given up a short handed goal in all three games of the season.
• The Lightning are next in action on Friday, November 12th at 8:50 pm facing the DC Stars at Rockville Ice Arena.

Three Stars of the Game:

First Star—Chris Birchard—Blair Forward—2 Goals, 1 Assist, Game Winning Goal
Second Star—Chris Hassett—Upper Montgomery Center–2 Goals, 2 Assists
Third Star—Ryan Jacobson—Upper Montgomery Forward—1 Goal, 3 Assists