The Upper Montgomery Lightning JV squad hung tough for most of Thursday afternoon’s against a more experienced and older Richard Montgomery squad. Two late Rockets goals helped secure a 5-2 victory over the Lightning at the Laurel Ice Gardens.
Against one of the top teams in the conference, the young Lightning showed an ability to compete for long stretches of the game. The first period, however, was controlled by the Rockets. The teams traded chances early until Richard Montgomery opened the scoring at the 6:33 mark on a goal by Ian Hutchinson. Two minutes later the Rockets would extend the lead on a goal by Lucas Perkins. At that point the Lightning settled down and kept the Rockets in check.
The opening of the second period saw the Lightning strike quickly. Off the opening faceoff, Lightning forward Josh Miller took the puck wide and into the offensive zone. He battled in the corner with the Rockets defense, winning the puck battle and cutting in toward the net. The puck bounced around in front and a persistent Miller was able to jam the puck past Rockets senior netminder Thomas Sprague. The goal 19 seconds into the second period gave the Lightning life and the game was evenly played over the next ten minutes of action. With 48 seconds remaining in the second period, Jaxson Hartle knocked a loose puck into a wide open net and past Lightning netminder Landon Bernard (30 saves) to put the Rockets back on top by two goals heading into the third period.
At the start of the third period Upper Montgomery got off to a Lightning quick start. Under pressure from Bradley Cupples, the Richard Montgomery defense fumbled the puck at the attacking blue line. Cupples controlled the puck, skated the length of the ice and went in alone on a breakaway. A quick deke to the backhand, then shifting quickly to the forehand, Cupples whipped a wrist shot past Sprague into the open net and the Lighting were again within one goal. With all of the momentum, the Lightning kept up the pressure. A little over a minute later, the Lightning would go on the power play after a tripping penalty to Nicholas Saffell. However, off the ensuing faceoff Lightning center Josh Nadler took a roughing penalty which negated the Lightning power play after only four seconds.
During the 4 on 4 play, the Rockets would push the lead to 4-2 on an unassisted goal by Nathan Lynch. But, the game was far from over at that point. Bradley Cupples would take a cross checking penalty with six minutes remaining in the game. While shorthanded, the Lightning had the best opportunity. Josh Miller got possession of the puck in the neutral zone and sped down the left wing. As he got behind Rockets defender Noe Masurel he was tripped up on a clear break toward the net. A penalty shot was awarded by the referees as Miller’s scoring chance was taken away by the tripping penalty.
On the penalty shot, Miller broke in, deked backhand, switched to his forehand and was stopped by Sprague on the shot attempt. The Lightning pressured over the next several minutes until a late goal on an individual rush up ice by John Yang sealed the victory for the Rockets.
The Lightning junior varsity currently are scheduled to return to action next month on Saturday, December 11 versus Quince Orchard.