Blair fights past the Barons

Jan. 4, Wheaton Indoor Ice Rink-

The Blair Community ice hockey team is not affiliated or sponsored by the Montgomery Blair High School athletic program or Montgomery County Public Schools. The team is an independent group of Blair students.

The Blair Community Ice Hockey Club won their second game of the season as they defeated Bethesda-Chevy Chase 6-3 in an exciting fast-paced and hard-hitting contest.

After the first two periods ended in tie scores Blair pulled away in the third period scoring three unanswered goals to defeat BCC and improve their record to 2-3. Blair's offense was rolling as they controlled possession throughout the game and got goals from five different players.

Blair's first line was back at full strength as senior leading scorer Neal Vasilak returned to the ice. Vasilak sparked the Blair offense scoring one goal and creating numerous chances as he skillfully darted between BCC defenders. However, Blair didn't rely solely on Vasilak and the rest of the first line of senior Brad Gee and freshman Julian Shapiro as other players scored four goals. Junior Jesse Mueller scored two goals and had one assists. All together the Blair offense generated 37 shots on goal and would've scored more if BCC's goalie hadn't been sharp.

Blair was first to score off a goal by Mueller assisted by junior Jake Drengwitz and senior Luke Hanlein towards the end of the first period but BCC would respond with a goal of their own before the period would end. Blair came out hot in the second period scoring two goals one by junior Peter Semitekolos and another spectacular goal by Vasilak as he faked out the goalie and finished with a backhand shot.

The two-goal lead would slip away as BCC tied the score seconds before the period ended. Blair let-up late in the second period and was hurt by several costly penalties that forced them to play defensively. In all Blair had seven penalties, while BCC only had three.

Senior Nick Falgout provided the game winning goal shortly into the third period as his shot richoted off a BCC defenseman and into the goal. The team would cushion their lead when Mueller scored his second goal of the game several minutes later. In the wanning seconds of the game Gee ensured the Blair victory as he scored a short-handed empty net goal.

In the third period the defense locked down with the help of senior goalkeeper Graham Mathews and defensemen junior Lee Shields, sophomore Scott Lavon and Drengwitz. Blair's defense dealt out their fair share of hard hits as both teams played a physical game. Shields was impressive with his hitting and pushing up onto offense. Mathews ended with 22 saves, including several point-blank stops. All of BCC's goals game on broken play and redirected shots in front of the goal which Mathews had little hope of stopping.

Blair looks to build on their victory and return to a .500 record against Richard Montgomery at Wheaton Outdoor Ice Rink on Friday, Jan. 21 at 7:15 p.m.