The Upper Montgomery Lightning junior varsity team returns to action on Wednesday evening, December 29th versus Frederick County for a non-conference matchup over the winter holiday break. Game time is 7:45 pm at Skate Frederick. The team will be looking to bounce back after losing its last two games, against Walter Johnson and in a very strong effort against Wootton. Wootton was granted permission to play a varsity goalie who plays AA level travel hockey because of COVID protocols. The Lightning junior varsity squad is now 2-3 in league play, and 2-4-1 overall on the season. Frederick County comes into the game with a 1-3 record, a three-game losing streak, and talent that is better than their record.
In net for the Lightning will be Landon Bernard who will be looking to continue his strong season. Through the first seven games of the season, Bernard has a respectable goals against average of 3.65 and a save percentage of .858. Removing the game against Landon School where the junior varsity played a varsity level team, Bernard’s goals against average would be 2.72 and his save percentage would be .886. His strong play has kept the Lightning in games and has given the team an opportunity to win every game. For the FCC, Conner Langston will be in net. Langston has the ability to play very well, but inconsistencies on defense in front of him have hampered the FCC.
On defense the Lightning have been skating with four defenders. Young junior varsity defenders Cole Howerton and Patrick Sell have continued to develop. Howerton has been effective at rushing the puck up the ice. Sell has been a defensive defender who has been gaining confidence and becoming more comfortable with first pass breakouts. Anticipate that two varsity student athletes will once again play down to provide a stabilizing influence for the young defense and demonstrate the compete level necessary to bring home a victory. Upper Montgomery will need to keep track of Trent Wivell who leads the FCC with four goals and seven points in four games.
Offensively, the Lightning have been getting just enough scoring to remain competitive. Josh Miller leads the team with four goals but has been held scoreless in the last two games. Josh Nadler will return to the lineup after missing the last two games. He has scored three goals on the season, but none in the past four games. Brandon Bernard has produced as of late with two goals and two assists, and then the scoring thins considerably. The Lightning very much need additional depth scoring if they are going to beat Frederick County. Wednesday’s game begins a finishing stretch of four games leading up to the opening round of the junior varsity playoffs.