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