Blazers fend off Bengals

Jan. 28, Wheaton Ice Arena-

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.

Blair was able to come back from an early deficit by maintaining a high level of play in the last two periods. The teams were evenly matched and the defense on both teams was amazing resulting in the close score. Blair also took seven more shots on goal than Blake, which helped contribute to the win.

The Blair Community ice hockey team defeated the Blake Bengals 4-3 in a heart racing game on Friday, Jan. 28 at the Wheaton Ice Arena to improve the team's record to 4-3.

The first period began with aggressive play that lasted for the entire night. Junior Lee Shields and Senior Nick Falgout held up a strong and physical line of defense, however Blake was able to penetrate the defense and score first. Blake's first goal came nine minutes into the first period, but the Bengals would put another one in the back of the net before the period ended.

Starting behind in the second period Blair stepped up the pressure with numerous shots on goal but did not get passed Blake's goalie. Blair had a man advantage on two separate power plays but were unable to score despite the efforts of senior Neal Vasilak, senior Brad Gee and sophomore Martyn Viger on offense. With three minutes remaining in the second period Blair scored their first goal of the game as Vasilak shot and Gee scored off the rebound. Gee struck again 30 seconds later to tie the score at 2-2.

The stands packed with fans from Blair and Blake burst with cheering as tensions grew and the nail biting last period of the game began. Senior goalie Graham Matthews made an amazing save but on was unable to stop the Blake shot after the ensuing face off. With Blake in the lead again, Vasilak and Gee continued to dominate the offense until Gee scored, once again tying the game with only 11 minutes left. With the pressure on to win, Vasilak set-up freshman Julian Shapiro near the goal but he was unable to convert. However, forty-five seconds later Vasilak himself scored Blair's winning goal of the game.

With ten minutes left in the game, Matthews continued making impressive saves, 17 overall, including a glove save off a hard shot to keep Blair in the lead. Blair also continued taking good shots and pressuring the Blake defense. Desperate with 33 seconds left in the game, Blake pulled their goalie adding an extra player to their offense. The effort was in vain with a mad rush in front of Blair's goal the puck slid away from the goal as the timer sounded Blair's victory.

Blazers fans were still cheering long after the end of the game. Matthews felt the team stepped up in the last two periods. " Defense was really good in the third period," states Matthews. "The offensive line started working really well in the second and third period".

Blair picked up an extra win as Richard Montgomery had to forfeit their early victory over Blair because of playing an ineligible player. Blair next takes on Sherwood at Laurel Ice Rink on Monday, Jan. 31 at 7:00 p.m.