Category: Lightning Strike Blog

As the school year is now completed and students are out for the summer months, the Upper Montgomery Lightning program is already deep in preparations for the upcoming hockey season. Many of the team’s student athletes are participating in various hockey camps to improve their individual skill level and strength and conditioning.

The team is mere weeks away from the beginning the registration process for student athletes to be eligible for the upcoming 2024-2025 season. The only unknown at this juncture is if the conference will make any changes to the current roster of high schools that make up the Upper Montgomery program. There is discussion that some of the coop teams may need to pick up additional schools as both Blair and Sherwood may become pure teams for the upcoming season. A team must go pure when they reach sixteen students from the same high school in the program. With the corresponding moves, Upper Montgomery may be asked to accept additional students into the program. There is no movement to remove any of the Upper Montgomery program’s four core high schools.

All of the team’s focus shifts now to qualifying for the Maryland state high school playoffs for the first time in team history. The upcoming season will be the sixteenth season that the green, white, and gold will battle it out against the best in Montgomery County. The Lightning are one of six programs with a legitimate shot at advancing through the Montgomery Hockey Conference playoff bracket and making a run into the state playoff tournament. Each student athlete must dedicate themselves to this goal, starting with improving their individual skills and conditioning over the summer to come into camp in top shape.

The Lightning program also will be closely following three alumni skaters who depart the program after this past season all of whom will be playing junior hockey next fall:

Hunter Cameron will be playing in Pennsylvania for the Hershey Cubs.

Olivia Robbins will be playing in Ontario, Canada for the OHA Mavericks Elite U22 team.

Ryan Jacobson will be playing in Mount Clemens, Michigan for the Metro Jets.

Also happening throughout the summer is the Upper Montgomery Lightning Varsity Trophy traveling tour. As has become tradition, when the program wins a championship such as the Varsity Tournament title this past winter (akin to the NIT tournament in college basketball), the team’s championship trophy leaves the year-end team celebration and travels across the county spending one week with each member of the organization that participated in winning the championship. So, be on the lookout around the upper regions of Montgomery County for a trophy sighting!

#UML, #Bleed Green, #Go Bolts!

It was a busy month of May for the Upper Montgomery Lightning program. The team has concluded play during the spring 2024 hockey season.  While not qualify for the spring league playoffs, the squad improved as the spring season went along which was the primary objective of the coaching staff. The spring season is designed for incoming high school students to get acclimated to the speed of high school hockey.  Upper Montgomery’s ten new student athletes received a taste of what is to come in the fall when the 2024 – 2025 regular season commences.

The other major event that occurred during May was the Upper Montgomery Lightning year-end team celebration. It was quite a festive evening with the student athletes and their families celebrating the success of the program and honoring the nine seniors who are departing the program after a very successful four year run. All members of the team were recognized and honored for their individual performance last season. Varsity student athletes received a personal trophy to commemorate winning the Montgomery Hockey Conference (MHC) Varsity Tournament Championship.

Additionally, 19 of the 28 UML student athletes were recognized by the Maryland Scholastic Hockey League (MSHL) with academic achievement awards.  The award is presented to student athletes achieving a weighted 3.5 grade point average or higher during the first semester of the academic year. Seven students maintained above a 4.25 weighted GPA, seniors Olivia Robbins and Adam Levine, junior Henry Honacki, Sophomore Owen Robbins, and 9th grade first year high school students, Aiden Zheng, Ilan Shternberg, and Miles Wendland. Great effort and success in the classroom!

The junior varsity set many program records during the 2023 – 2024 season on the way to the first undefeated regular season in program history at 9-0-1.

• Most victories in a season with nine.
• Perfect on penalty kill 27/27 with a goalie in net–including a five minute major and a full two minute 5-3.
• The junior varsity gave up only 23 goals in 11 games.
• Three shutouts.
• Highest winning percentage in program history .863.
• The Lightning junior varsity is losing its top three all-time scorers in TJ Gottesman, Josh Nadler, and Adam Levine.  TJ and Josh will only be eligible for varsity competition next season.  Adam is a graduating senior.
• Josh Nadler set a program record for scoring goals in six straight games.
• Adam Levine set a program record for recording a point in eight straight games.
• Josh Nadler set a single season program record with 53 penalty minutes and a career program record of 124 penalty minutes.
• TJ Gottesman leaves the junior varsity as the career leader in points with 32.
• Josh Nadler leaves the junior varsity as the career leader in goals with 20.
• Ilan Shterenberg tied a program record with eight wins. He also set program records for lowest goals against average at 1.80, and highest save percentage at .927.

• Varsity Highlights of the 2023 – 2024 season.
  • The Upper Montgomery Lightning won the most important championship in team history–the Montgomery Hockey Conference Varsity Tournament Championship.
  • Upper Montgomery finished with its highest final season county ranking ever–5th, and its highest final season public school state ranking ever–13th.
  • Including the private schools, UML played the number 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 (three times), 16, and 19th ranked high school programs in the area.
  • The team beat Walter Johnson who was ranked second in the county. That victory ties the highest ranked opponent that UML has ever beaten.
  • Upper Montgomery had a 1-0 lead over eventual state champion Oakdale with less than five minutes to play.
  • Upper Montgomery was tied with private school powerhouse Bullis with less than a minute remaining in the game.
  • The expectation each year moving forward is to make the state playoffs.  UML is no longer a mid-major program.
  • Coach Scott Cameron is leaving the program after four seasons of being an incredibly valuable resource for the team.

Post-Season Awards and Recognitions:

• Chris Hassett was inducted into the MSHL Hall of Fame.  Chris finished his career with 62 goals–third in program history, 64 assists–second in program history, for 126 points–third in program history, an average of 2.14 points per game.
• In the history of the MSHL, Chris finished 30th all-time in goals, 13th all-time in assists, and 19th all-time in points.
• Chris Hassett was named 2nd Team Division 1 All-MHC.
• Chris Hassett and Olivia Robbins were both named Honorable Mention All-Met by the Washington Post.  Olivia was 2nd Team All-Met after last season.
• Brady Berkhammer and Hunter Cameron were named Honorable mention Division 1 All-MHC.
• Adam Levine was recognized with the High School Hobey Baker award.  The award at the high school level is given to a senior student athlete for their positive attitude, coachability, strength of character, integrity, commitment, teamwork, work ethic on the ice and in the classroom, exemplary character, and outstanding sportsmanship.  Adam took zero penalties in 64 UML games, finished his career second in junior varsity program history in assists (15) and third in junior varsity program history in scoring (23). 

What’s next for the nine Upper Montgomery senior student athletes?

• Next season, Hunter Cameron will be playing junior hockey in Pennsylvania with the Hershey Cubs.
• Next season, Olivia Robbins will be in Canada playing junior hockey with the OHA Mavericks U22 Elite team based in Ontario, Canada.
• Adam Levine will be attending South Carolina University’s highly regarded sports management program on merit (academic) scholarship.
• Next season, Chris Hassett will play his final year of 18U eligibility before moving on to play junior hockey in the fall of 2025.
• Landon Bernard and Brandon Bernard will be attending Wilkes University.
• Bradley Cupples will be studying Kinesiology at Penn State.
• Jake Roth will be studying aerospace engineering.
• Sean Levine will be taking classes locally.

Best of luck to all of the graduating seniors and we hope they all continue to follow Upper Montgomery as they head off to their future careers and studies.

#UML, #Bleed Green, #Go Bolts!

Upper Montgomery Lightning senior co-captain, forward Hunter Cameron has signed to play junior hockey with the Hershey Cubs of the US Premier Hockey League. The official press release is below

The Hershey Cubs of the US Premier Hockey League are proud to announce the signing of forward Hunter Cameron. The Clarksburg, Maryland native comes to us after a successful season with the Washington Little Caps 18U AAA club and after playing four years with the Upper Montgomery Lightning high school team.  Coach Boudreau had this to say about the signing of Hunter:

“Hunter was a player we were interested in from the start of tryouts.  He comes from a good youth program that plays a competitive AAA schedule.  Cameron did not disappoint on the ice, getting better as the camp went along.  He carried himself like a mature and experienced junior player despite only playing youth hockey.  We believe he will thrive on the ice and have a great rookie season”.

Congratulations Hunter and welcome to the chocolate and cream.

In his storied high school career Hunter finished by scoring 20 goals and adding 24 assists for 44 points. Hunter played both forward and defense for the Lightning during his senior season displaying his versatility. His leadership and determination helped Upper Montgomery win the Montgomery Hockey Conference Varsity Playoff Tournament.  

Outside of high school hockey, Hunter played for the Washington Little Caps 18U AAA program that produced former Washington Capitals Jeff Halpern and USA Hockey Hall of Famer and long time Chicago Blackhawk Jeremy Roenick.

The Upper Montgomery program is proud of Hunter and looks forward to avidly following his junior hockey career.

The Upper Montgomery Lightning have begun play in the spring 2024 hockey season.  The spring season is designed for incoming high school students to get acclimated to the speed of high school hockey.  Upper Montgomery has ten new student athletes that are competing with the program this spring.   Several of the new students are defenders and will provide significant depth to the junior varsity program next season.  There is also the possibility that up to three of the new members of the program could play in some varsity games next season.

With Ilan Shterenberg taking over as the varsity goalie, Porter Stutsrim-Lyons will handle the goaltending duties for the Lightning junior varsity next season.  

Several returning skaters are competing this spring, and their participation will help the newcomers adjust to the higher level of competition in high school hockey.  As with each new spring season, the speed of the game catches the new students off guard for the first couple of weeks.  Then, the skaters settle in and begin to adjust and play faster.

All of us at Upper Montgomery wish to congratulate Nathan Cassel and the rest of the MYHA 16U AA team that reached the championship game at USA Nationals. The MYHA 16U AA team was the first Maryland team in the history of youth hockey to advance and play for a USA Hockey championship.  Despite a heartbreaking outcome of losing with four seconds left in overtime, the Lightning are very proud of Nathan and his teammates for their historic accomplishment.

#UML, #Bleed Green, #Go Bolts!

The Upper Montgomery Lightning are CHAMPIONS! having won the season ending Montgomery Hockey Conference Varsity Tournament. The tournament consists of all teams in the county that did not make the state playoffs. Think of the tournament as the equivalent of the NIT tournament in college basketball. Even through Upper Montgomery was ranked 13th in the state, Montgomery County is only allotted four of the sixteen state playoff berths. Despite the disappointment of missing out on the state playoffs, the Lightning stayed mentally strong and blew through the competition to take the Varsity Tournament title. Upper Montgomery finished the season with its highest ever season ending ranking, fifth in the county and 13th in the state.

In the quarterfinals of the tournament the Lightning destroyed Northwest/Quince Orchard 14-1. The game was a blowout from the outset. Every Upper Montgomery skater tallied at least one point with twelve of the fourteen skaters having multiple points. Chris Hassett led the team with five goals and six points. Ninth grade student athlete Aiden Zheng scored his first career goal and finished with a hat-trick and two assists for a career high five points. Cole Howerton tallied two assists which were his first two varsity points. Henry Honacki chipped in with four assists.

In the semifinals, the Lightning clamped down on Sherwood’s high scoring senior Grayson Winckler to throttle the Warriors 5-1. Hassett, the team’s leading scorer, again led Upper Montgomery with four goals. Brandon Bernard and Philip Shkeda had three assists in the game.

In the championship game, Upper Montgomery crushed Wootton blitzing the Patriots 9-1 to win the title. Hassett concluded his career with another five point game, two goals and three assists. Bernard tallied twice and added two assists. It was the third straight victory for the Lightning over Wootton. Prior to last season, Wootton had won all previous matchups between the two teams.

In a wonderful conclusion to the careers of the Upper Montgomery senior class, Sean Levine, Olivia Robbins, Adam Levine, Hunter Cameron, Bradley Cupples, Chris Hassett, and Brandon Bernard, they all scored in their final high school hockey games. The Montgomery Hockey Conference Varsity Tournament title caps a four year run that has taken the Lightning program to new heights.

#Champions, #UML, #Bleed Green, #Go Bolts!

The Upper Montgomery Lightning crushed Wootton 9-1 on Thursday afternoon to win the Montgomery Hockey Conference Tournament Championship.  All of the teams in the Montgomery Hockey Conference that fail to advance to the Maryland state high school hockey playoffs all compete in the Tournament Championship. It is a highly prestigious achievement and the most coveted accomplishment to date in Upper Montgomery program history.   

The Lightning finished the 2023 – 2024 season ranked 5^th in the conference (the top team which missed out on advancing to the state playoffs) and 13^th in the state this season.  Although 16 teams make the state playoff tournament, there is a limit on the number of teams from Montgomery County—four.  Unfortunately, the squad fell one game short of qualifying for the state playoffs for the second consecutive season. 

In the Montgomery Hockey Conference tournament championship game, the team was led by leading scorer senior center Chris Hassett who tallied two goals while adding three assists. Brandon Bernard finished his high school career with a big game netting two goals and two assists. Senior Hunter Cameron and juniors Andrew Botti and Henry Honacki each added a goal and an assist. Brady Berkhammer dished out two assists. Senior Bradley Cupples and Philip Shkeda each scored in the drubbing of Wootton as well. Senior netminder, Landon Bernard finished out his career with the convincing victory allowing only one goal and making fifteen saves.

Upper Montgomery has now beaten former perennial powerhouse Wootton three straight times (8-2 and 4-2 both last season, and then destroying the Patriots 9-1 this season).

Upper Montgomery has an opportunity to win the program’s most important championship in its 16 year history when the Lightning face off against arch rival Wootton on Thursday afternoon. Game time is 4:20 pm at the Rockville Ice Arena. The team will be looking to capture the Montgomery Hockey Conference Division Two Championship, a title the program won after the 2018 – 2019 season when the Division Two tournament only included the bottom teams in the conference. The winner of tomorrow’s game will have won the post season tournament which now includes all of the Montgomery County programs that did not make the state playoff tournament. In addition, the team that wins the Division Two championship will finish the season ranked fifth in the final year-end conference rankings. Finishing fifth in the final year-end county rankings would be the highest finish ever for the Lightning.

The game will match two programs that do not get along. A prime rivalry has developed originating from animosity stemming from Upper Montgomery beating Wootton in both of the team’s matchups last season. Last year’s victories were the first ever for the Lightning program against Wootton. The Patriots did not take well to losing both times to the upstart Upper Montgomery program. Now, Wootton, once a perennial powerhouse in the county, has fallen into the next cut of programs. Wootton was able to punch their ticket to the Division Two championship game by sneaking past Blair 4-3 and beating the DC Stars 8-4, a game in which the Stars had to use their backup goalie. Both teams now sit one victory away from capturing the Division Two tournament title. Wootton will be looking to atone for last season’s blowout loss to Sherwood in the Division Two tournament final.

The Lightning destroyed Northwest / Quince Orchard in the quarterfinal round of the Division Two playoffs winning by an outlandish 14-1 score. There were many notable offensive performances against Northwest / Quince Orchard. Aiden Zheng scored his first career high school varsity goal and then added two more for a hat-trick.  Cole Howerton recorded his first career high school varsity point with an assist. Adam Levine scored his first varsity goal of the season.  Levine now has matching 1, 1, 1, 1 goal totals each season ninth grade through senior year. Several students had big multiple point games–Chris Hassett (who is climbing up the Maryland Student Hockey League all time points and assists lists), Hunter Cameron, Brandon Bernard, Brady Berkhammer, Owen Robbins, and Henry Honacki. Every skater had at least one point. The team then conquered Sherwood 5-1 exacting revenge over last year’s Division Two playoff semifinal loss as well as a loss to the Warriors earlier in the regular season. Chris Hassett scored four goals, Brandon Bernard and Philip Shkeda each chipped in with three assists, and Landon Bernard made 26 saves in the victory. The Lightning are 8-2-1 over their last ten games against conference opponents.

Often, the Division Two tournament is won by the team that is able to mentally rise up and overcome the disappointment of having missed out on the state playoff tournament. Or, the tournament is won by the team that has the most available skaters for the games. Wootton has played both of their Division Two playoff games without leading scorers Ilhom Abdulaev (15GP, 18G, 23A) and Grady Sellman (12GP, 12G, 6A). While we are not confirming why both highly talented forwards have skipped the first two Division Two playoff games, rumors are circulating that once Wootton was eliminated from making the state playoffs, both seniors have decided that their high school hockey careers are over.

In addition, the Montgomery Hockey Conference Division Two playoff games are played mid-week when many of the student athletes have competing travel team practices in preparation for the travel team league championships. This may also mean that high scoring Justin Heller (16GP, 15G, 16A) and Owen Goozh (16GP, 9G, 11A) are unavailable.

Bernard will once again start in net for Upper Montgomery. He posted terrific statistics in the MHC playoffs this season and last year. He had a .966 save percentage and a 0.98 goals against average in his first three career playoff outings, never giving up more than one goal in a game. Bernard backstopped the Lightning junior varsity to the Montgomery Hockey Conference junior varsity championship two years ago. He excelled in those playoffs as well giving up only four goals over three games, including posting a shootout victory. He has given up zero goals and one goal this week in the first two Division Two playoff games. In net for Wootton will be Kevin Yu. Yu is 10-6-1 this season with a 4.88 goals against average and an .796 save percentage.

Wootton plays run and gun hockey usually with individual skater rushes up ice. The Patriots rely on outscoring their opponents which worked very well at the beginning of the season when they played extremely weak competition in the lower division of the conference. When the Patriots competed against the top teams in the county, they have been soundly defeated with no game closer than a four goal margin. Defensively, Wootton is porous and there will be plenty of chances for the Lightning to find the back of the net.

The Lightning’s top forward line will consist of senior co-captain and center Chris Hassett (18GP, 19G, 19A), playing between Philip Shkeda (18GP, 12G, 9A) and Brandon Bernard (19GP, 6G, 6A). They should have freedom of movement in the Wootton offensive zone. The team’s second line will be composed of senior co-captain and center Hunter Cameron (16GP, 5G, 6A) playing with Henry Honakci (19GP, 6G, 3A) and Josh Nadler. The season ending loss of Ryan Jacobson (6GP, 4G, 1A) (out long term with a lower body injury) and now Nathan Cassel (15GP, 11G, 18A) who missed the entire Division Two playoffs and is out for the season with an upper body injury definitely impacted the Lightning’s secondary offensive production. Depth forward Adam Levine who scored versus Northwest / Quince Orchard missed the Sherwood game and will not play against Wootton. Upper Montgomery’s third forward line will be centered by senior Bradley Cupples (14GP, 2G, 7A) who returns after missing the last two games playing with rising ninth grader Aiden Zheng. Olivia and Owen Robbins both will miss the championship game as they have conflicts with their external travel teams being out-of-town. The Lightning will need to band together to overcome the absences of these five valuable skaters.

The return of top Upper Montgomery defender Andrew Botti really stabilized the Lightning’s defense. He will log extensive minutes against Wootton and will play almost exclusively against the Patriots top offensive threat, defender Sam Hosier (18GP, 35G, 18A). The other defensive pairings will be determined at game time when the Patriots roster is known. Anticipate that 9th grade defender Miles Wendland and sophomore Brady Berkhammer will play together, and that junior Cole Howerton will pair with Botti receiving plenty of ice time. There may also be forwards dropping back on defense to play shifts depending upon game situations.

The week long Division Two playoff run ends on Thursday afternoon with the crowning of a champion. The Lightning’s senior class has been on a mission to elevate the program to new heights. Recognition around the county has occurred. Upper Montgomery is now unable to sneak up on any of the top programs. Capping the season with the Division Two championship would be an incredible send off for the seven seniors still competing. They have helped bring the program from the bottom of the county rankings and standings to the pinnacle of winning the Division Two title. It is anticipated to be another high scoring tilt. All of the program’s supporters are hoping that the Lightning execute the game plan, smother the Patriots, and leave the ice after skating the trophy as CHAMPIONS!

#Win the Championship, #Get it Done, #UML, #Bleed Green, #Go Bolts!

The Upper Montgomery Lightning will be looking for revenge on Wednesday evening when they face off against the Sherwood Warriors in the semifinal round of the Montgomery Hockey Conference Division Two playoff tournament. The Warriors knocked the Lightning out in the semifinal round of the Division Two tournament last season with a come from behind victory. Sherwood also defeated Upper Montgomery earlier this season 9-7 in a high scoring up and down the ice type of game. It was another come from behind victory for the Warriors. Each team sits two victories away from capturing the Division Two tournament with Wootton awaiting the winner in the Division Two championship game on Thursday afternoon. It is a repeat of last season’s end to the Division Two tournament.

Upper Montgomery had a terrific finish to the regular season, concluding 5-1-1 in conference games with the only loss to perennial powerhouse Churchill. The squad also played extremely well in close losses to Oakdale, the number one seed in the Maryland state playoff bracket, and Bullis, a powerhouse private high school program. The Lightning had a businesslike approach in dispatching Blair in their playoff opener 5-1, before the Whitman game disappointment.

The Lightning then destroyed Northwest / Quince Orchard in the quarterfinal round of the Division Two playoffs winning by an outlandish 14-1 score. There were many notable offensive performances against Northwest / Quince Orchard. Aiden Zheng scored his first career high school varsity goal and then added two more for a hat-trick.  Cole Howerton recorded his first career high school varsity point with an assist. Adam Levine scored his first varsity goal of the season.  Levine now has matching 1, 1, 1, 1 goal totals each season, ninth grade through senior year. Several students had big multiple point games–Chris Hassett (who is climbing up the Maryland Student Hockey League all time points and assists lists), Hunter Cameron, Brandon Bernard, Brady Berkhammer, Owen Robbins, and Henry Honacki. Every skater had at least one point.

Often, the Division Two tournament is won by the team that is able to mentally rise up and overcome the disappointment of having missed out on the state playoff tournament. Or, the tournament is won by the team that has the most available skaters for the games as they are played mid-week when many of the student athletes have competing travel team practices in preparation for the travel team league championships. The mindset of the Lightning will be critical. With seven seniors still competing, going out with a championship would cap a four year run that has taken the Lightning program to new heights.

Upper Montgomery’s play has evolved and transformed as the regular season progressed. The return of top defender, junior Andrew Botti has calmed the back end and provided additional confidence. At around the same time, Lightning senior goaltender Landon Bernard began playing much, much better in net. The Lightning are 7-2-1 over their last ten games against conference opponents.

Bernard will start in net for Upper Montgomery. He posted terrific statistics in the MHC playoffs this season and last year. He had a .966 save percentage and a 0.98 goals against average in his first three career playoff outings, never giving up more than one goal in a game. Bernard backstopped the Lightning junior varsity to the Montgomery Hockey Conference junior varsity championship two years ago. He excelled in those playoffs as well giving up only four goals over three games, including posting a shootout victory. In net for Sherwood will be Samuel Hutt. Hutt went 5-6-1 this season with a 5.07 goals against average and an .837 save percentage. Sherwood plays run and gun hockey relying on outscoring their opponents. Defensively, there will be chances for the Lightning to find the back of the net.

The Lightning’s top forward line of senior co-captain and center Chris Hassett (17GP, 15G, 19A), playing between Nathan Cassel (15GP, 11G, 18A) and Philip Shkeda (17GP, 12G, 6A) should have freedom of movement in the Sherwood offensive zone. This will be a vast departure from the playoff game against Whitman. The team’s second line will be composed of senior co-captain and center Hunter Cameron (15GP, 5G, 5A) playing with Henry Honakci (18GP, 5G, 3A) and Josh Nadler. The season ending loss of Ryan Jacobson (6GP, 4G, 1A) (out long term with a lower body injury) definitely impacted the Lightning’s secondary offensive production. Upper Montgomery’s third forward line will be centered by senior Bradley Cupples (14GP, 2G, 7A) playing with Brandon Bernard (18GP, 6G, 3A) and Zheng.

On defense the return of top Upper Montgomery defender Andrew Botti really did stabilize the back end. He will log extensive minutes against Sherwood and will play almost exclusively against the Warriors top offensive threats. The other defensive pairings will be determined at game time when the Warriors roster is known. Anticipate that 9th grade defender Miles Wendland, sophomore Brady Berkhammer, and junior Cole Howerton will receive plenty of ice time. There may also be forwards dropping back on defense to play shifts.

Sherwood’s entire success revolves around Junior center Noi Jonasson (8GP, 12G, 10A) and senior forward Grayson Winckler (14GP, 23G, 6A). Jonasson is the most talented skater in all of the Montgomery Hockey Conference. With the last line change, the Upper Montgomery coaching staff will be looking for shut down matchups as Jonasson can single handedly beat any team. He scored five points on three goals and two assists last season against the Lightning in the team’s Division Two semifinal matchup. Jonasson followed that up with two goals and two assists against Upper Montgomery in the early season matchup. Running aside Jonasson will be senior forward Grayson Winckler. Winckler is a very good skater who has also had success against the Lightning in prior games. He tallied a hat-trick in Sherwood’s Halloween night win. The rest of the Warriors lineup is young but speedy, Aidan Cook (14GP, 8G, 5A) and Cameron Calandro (14GP, 4G, 3A) have some offensive pop if left unguarded. Sherwood’s top defender is Tyler Payson (14GP, 2G, 8A).

The Lightning’s powerplay has come alive over the last four games, scoring goals in each of the first three contests and then going three for three against Northwest / Quince Orchard. The team simplified their powerplay system and is getting more shots on net and traffic in front. Upper Montgomery is now up to 7-54 on the powerplay for the season, 13.0% after beginning the season 1-43. The Lightning have gone 6-11 on their recent powerplay surge.

The week long playoff run continues on Wednesday evening. It is anticipated to be another high scoring tilt that the Lightning must prevail in. A chance to play in a championship game awaits the victor. It would be an incredible send off for the seven seniors still competing to bring the program from the bottom of the county rankings and standings to the pinnacle of winning the Division Two title.

#Win the Championship, #Get it Done, #UML, #Bleed Green, #Go Bolts!

The Upper Montgomery Lightning enter the Montgomery Hockey Conference Division Two playoff tournament having to deal with the disappointment of falling one game short of qualifying for the Maryland Student Hockey League state playoffs for the second consecutive season. It was a somber locker room after last week’s loss to Whitman even though the game was not very competitive. The upper class heavy Lightning were hoping to make history and be the first team in program history to qualify for the state playoffs. Now, the team will need to dust themselves off and focus on capturing the Montgomery Hockey Conference Division Two championship.

Upper Montgomery had a terrific finish to the regular season, concluding 5-1-1 in conference games with the only loss to perennial powerhouse Churchill. The squad also played extremely well in close losses to Oakdale, the number one seed in the state playoff bracket, and Bullis, a powerhouse private high school program. The Lightning had a businesslike approach in dispatching Blair in their playoff opener 5-1, before the Whitman game disappointment. The Lightning are the top seed in the Division Two tournament and begin play next Monday at Rockville Ice Arena. Game time is 4:20 pm.

Often, the Division Two tournament is won by the team that is able to mentally rise up and overcome the disappointment of having missed out on the state playoff tournament. The mindset of the Lightning will be critical. With seven seniors still competing, going out with a championship would cap a four year run that has taken the Lightning program to new heights. A win over Northwest/Quince Orchard would propel the Lightning into the semifinal round. A loss would be shattering. Against credible competition, Northwest/Quince Orchard has had a difficult time keeping the puck out of their own net. It would be a major upset if the Lightning were to lose.

Upper Montgomery’s play has evolved and transformed as the regular season progressed. The return of top defender, junior Andrew Botti has calmed the back end and provided additional confidence. At around the same time, Lightning senior goaltender Landon Bernard began playing much, much better in net. The Lightning are 6-2-1 over their last nine conference games.

Bernard will start in net for Upper Montgomery. He posted terrific statistics in the MHC playoffs this season and last year. He had a .966 save percentage and a 0.98 goals against average in his first three career playoff outings, never giving up more than one goal in a game. Bernard backstopped the Lightning junior varsity to the Montgomery Hockey Conference junior varsity championship two years ago. He excelled in those playoffs as well giving up only four goals over three games, including posting a shootout victory. In net for Northwest/Quince Orchard will be Ryan Stillwell. Stillwell was named the Montgomery Hockey Conference Division Two second team goalie albeit with abhorrent personal statistics. However, if you have watched Northwest/Quince Orchard play, defense is optional. Stillwell went 2-5 this season with a 6.51 goals against average and an .796 save percentage and he played very well. He played mostly against the bottom teams in the county as Northwest/Quince Orchard has only beaten last place Churchill 2 three times and Blair, the team directly ahead of Northwest/Quince Orchard in the standings.

The Lightning’s top forward line of senior co-captain and center Chris Hassett (17GP, 15G, 19A), playing between Nathan Cassel (15GP, 11G, 18A) and Philip Shkeda (17GP, 12G, 6A) should have freedom of movement in the Northwest/Quince Orchard offensive zone. This will be a vast departure from the playoff game against Whitman. The team’s second line will be composed of senior co-captain and center Hunter Cameron (15GP, 5G, 5A) playing with Henry Honakci (18GP, 5G, 3A) and Olivia Robbins (10GP, 3G, 2A). The season ending loss of Ryan Jacobson (6GP, 4G, 1A) (out long term with a lower body injury) definitely impacted the Lightning’s secondary offensive production.

Upper Montgomery’s third forward line will be centered by senior Bradley Cupples (14GP, 2G, 7A) playing with Brandon Bernard (18GP, 6G, 3A) and Adam Levine (9G, 3A). The objective of this line will be to provide energy and tireless effort on the forecheck and along the boards. Their focus will be on chipping pucks out of the defensive zone, dumping pucks in deep behind the Northwest/Quince Orchard net, and playing on the defensive side of the puck. Northwest/Quince Orchard will play run and gun offense with little attention to detail on defense. They also take an obscene number of penalties and are horrible on the penalty kill having given up 26 powerplay goals on the season. Unlike in games against some of the other Lightning opponents, Upper Montgomery should have plenty of optimal scoring chances on Monday.

On defense the return of top Upper Montgomery defender Andrew Botti really did stabilize the back end. He will log extensive minutes against Northwest/Quince Orchard and will play almost exclusively with 9th grade defender Miles Wendland. Wendland has a very bright future within the program as he gets stronger over the next several years. The other defensive pairing will feature a pair of AA external travel skaters, Brady Berkhammer and Owen Robbins. Cole Howerton will play some to spell Wendland throughout the game.

Northwest/Quince Orchard is led in scoring by talented sophomore forward Ethan Custodio who has (13 GP, 25G, 9A). He is part of the pair of offensive dynamos for Northwest/Quince Orchard along with senior Brady Graham (13GP, 24G, 8A). No other Northwest/Quince Orchard skater has more than six points on the season. Where Custodio and Graham have excelled is when they are on the penalty kill having scored eight and four times while shorthanded. However, all of the offensive statistics of the Northwest/Quince Orchard skaters should be taken with a grain of salt based upon the very low level of competition they have played this season. Defensively sound teams have been able to shut down Custodio and Graham.

The Lightning’s powerplay has come alive over the last three games, scoring goals in each contest. The team simplified their powerplay system and is getting more shots on net and traffic in front. Two of the recent powerplay goals have come off of puck retrievals of missed initial shots and then a secondary shot at the net with skaters in front. Upper Montgomery is now up to 4-51 on the powerplay for the season, 7.8%.

Expect the Lightning to play committed team hockey where the students focus on neutralizing Custodio and Graham on offense and countering against the rest of the Northwest/Quince Orchard skaters that are just not in the same class as the Lightning. The Lightning should be able to take the first step toward a Division Two championship on Monday. But, the game will not be won by just showing up. Upper Montgomery will need to earn the victory by putting the puck in the net and not giving up chances to Custodio and Graham in a run and gun game. The week long playoff run begins with an anticipated high scoring tilt that the Lightning must prevail in. If not, it will be a very long offseason if Upper Montgomery’s season ends on Monday.

#Win the Championship, #Get it Done, #UML, #Bleed Green, #Go Bolts!

The Upper Montgomery Lightning varsity begins play in the Montgomery Hockey Conference Division Two playoff tournament over the next two weeks. The squad had a terrific finish to the regular season. First, Nathan Cassel scored in overtime as the Lightning came back to defeat Rockville 5-4 in the last regular season conference game. The victory over the Rams provided Upper Montgomery with its highest ever final regular season ranking of sixth. Finishing sixth meant avoiding both Walter Johnson and Churchill in the upcoming playoffs. An incredibly close game against private school powerhouse Bullis ended with the Lightning on the wrong side of a 3-2 decision. Upper Montgomery scored with 1:27 left in the game to tie up the score, only to see the Bulldogs tally with 39 seconds remaining to escape with the victory.

In the opening round of the Montgomery Hockey Conference Division One playoffs, the Lightning dispatched the Blair Blazers by a score of 5-1. Blair played incredibly hard and well, but Upper Montgomery just had too much talent. Senior center and co-captain Chris Hassett had two goals and two assists in the game. Brady Berkhammer scored his first career high school goal and also added an assist. Cassel, playing alongside Hassett, had a goal and an assist as well. Bradley Cupples added two assists. Adam Levine had to step up and play regular minutes due to an illness to Philip Shkeda. He chipped in with two assists. Brandon Bernard tallied. Landon Bernard only gave up one goal. He lowered his miniscule playoff statistics to an eye popping .966 save percentage and a 0.98 goals against average over his three career playoff outings.

Unfortunately, the season crash landed the following week as the Lightning were routed by the Whitman Vikings. Upper Montgomery came out flat and was overrun by the Vikings. The game was never close with Whitman winning 6-1 and the Lightning getting outshot by a wide 50-14 margin. Landon Bernard played admirably making 44 saves in the game. The overall team defense was non-existent and Bernard was left out to dry by the Lightning skaters.

The team will have had a few weeks to try and overcome the disappointment of falling one game short of the Maryland Student Hockey League state playoffs for the second consecutive season. Upper Montgomery still has something to compete for, the Montgomery Hockey Conference Division Two tournament title. Unlike the program’s Division Two title at the conclusion of the 2018 – 2019 season, a Division Two championship now is more impressive than the previous championship which was only contested by the bottom teams in the league.

Upper Montgomery opens the Division Two tournament as the number one seed. A quarterfinal round matchup against Northwest/Quince Orchard awaits on the final Monday of February. Often, the Division Two tournament is won by the team that is able to mentally rise up and overcome the disappointment of missing out on the state playoff tournament. With seven seniors still competing, going out with a championship would cap a four year run that has taken the Lightning program to new heights.

#Playoff Wins, #UML, #Bleed Green, #Go Bolts!