Patriots fly by Blazers

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

DEC. 20, WHEATON INDOOR ICE RINK—

After last week's disappointing loss against Damascus, the Blair Community ice hockey team hoped to turn around their season tonight against Wootton. To their dismay however, the Blazers were demolished by the Patriots in a 10-0 shutout that lasted less than five minutes into the second period.

Blair was severely "outclassed," according to coach Kevin McCabe, as Wootton is an extremely experienced team with twelve AA and three AAA players, some with as many as eight years of experience. By comparison, Blair has only one travel player, and lacks the depth of talent that the Patriots and other up-county schools have.

The Patriots scored their first goal 3:47 into the first period, and came right back again to score their second just eleven seconds later. Blair seemed to stabilize and the two teams played back and forth for several minutes, although Wootton was clearly in control. In the final three minutes of the period, the Patriots stepped up their attack, unleashing a furious attack on goal and scoring five more goals in quick succession to close the period with a 7-0 lead.

Wootton continued to dominate in the second period, maintaining control of the puck and never giving the Blair offense a chance. They attacked the goal and scored three times before the fifth minute of the period, gaining a 10-0 and ending the game by the mercy rule.

Blair's offense struggled once again, getting off only five shots to the Patriots' 35 in the game, and none in the shortened second period. The Blazer defense also struggled, with junior Robbie Ginsberg having trouble in the net and not at his usually high level of play. Overall, according to McCabe, the team "just got whupped."

Blair's next game is the Alumni game against Wheaton on Thursday, Dec. 22 at 6:15 p.m.