Coming into Monday’s game on the second the week of GNASH hockey, neither Montgomery Bell Academy, (MBA), nor Pope John Paul II – CPA Knights, (Knights), recorded a win on their first week of the season. This would change for sure with one team tonight as both teams met to decide who would get their first win and who would continue the season winless. MBA put on a scoring clinic en route to a 10-0 victory, their first of the season.

The first period commenced and MBA quickly took the offensive refusing to allow the Knights the chance to gain any momentum. Whenever the Knights would get down to the offensive end, they would only be allowed a few minutes before play was pushed back down to their defensive zone. MBA would continue to keep the pressure going and at 8:43 of the first period, Dylan Guy of the Knights was given a penalty for tripping. MBA could not capitalize on this chance though and despite the offense, the Knights penalty kill was able to keep them at bay and allow John Ernst of the Knights the chance to cool off MBA with a shorthanded goal. MBA goalie, Isaac Sedek was able to make the save though and keep the Knights off the board.

The first period would continue to be a tough contest with MBA pressuring and Knights playing defense. Credit must be given to Knights net minder Garrett Bennett who played an amazing first period, stopping 14 out of 15 shots to keep the Knights in the game while Isaac Sedek of MBA stopped the only two shots he faced. The lone goal for MBA was at 4:13 when Robert Cowan, assisted by Brennan Roach and John Dinkins, was able to solve Bennett and open up the scoring. The Knights would get a power play in the closing minutes of the first with William Morrison taking a seat for interference. Like MBA, the Knights could not capitalize and the first ended with MBA up 1-0.

The second period commenced with MBA continuing to bring the pressure, hitting the gas and never looking back. Despite the best efforts of Bennett and the Knights, it seemed like every time MBA touched the puck, it ended up in the back of the net. Five goals were scored in the second with MBA’s Cole Deal, Blake Robison, John Dinkins, and Joshua Morris each finding the net. Robert Cowan scored his second goal of the night as well. The lone penalty of the second was committed by MBA’s Ben Evans for a hold. The MBA penalty kill was successful and entered the third period with the score 6-0 MBA. Bennett faced 13 shots in the second period compared to Sedek’s five shots.

The third period started with a goalie change as Vijay Mueller would be in net for the Knights and Lucian Bernatavitz for MBA. The dominant theme of the game would continue in the period as MBA never seemed to hit empty on the tank. Goal number seven for MBA came at 12:05 from Robert Cowan who would pick up a hat trick. Sadly no hats were thrown on the ice. Just two minutes later at 10:24, there would a board meeting between the teams as Russell Fernandez received a 5 minute major for boarding and a 10 minute game misconduct to end his night early. Ben Evans received two minutes for roughing and the teams continued play at four-on-four. If you were to think each team being shorthanded would be a problem you would be wrong. The open ice would be no problem as less than 20 seconds into the 4v4, MBA’s Brandon MacDonald Surman notched his second point of the night finding the net making it 8-0 MBA. Goal number nine came at 5:15 with Andrew Malone getting the goal and MacDonald picking up his third point of night with the assist. MBA Captain Blake Robison also tallied his second point with the secondary assist. The final goal of the night for MBA came off a shorthanded goal as Joshua Morin took a seat for slashing. Robert Cowan scored his fourth point of the night sealing the win for MBA. Vijay Mueller of the Knights faced 16 shots making 12 saves, while MBA’s Bernatavitz stopped all three shots he faced.

All in all, it was a very good night for Montgomery Bell Academy. Robert Cowan led the team with 4G/1A. Brandon MacDonald Surman had 1G/3A, Blake Robison had 1G/2A, Andrew Malone had 1G/1A, Joshua Morris had 1G/1A, John Dinkins had 1G/1A, Cole Deal had 1 goal, Brennan Roach had 2 assists, Daniel Cowen had 2 assists, Ben Evans had 1 assist, Joshua Morin had 1 assist, William Petroni had 1 assist, and Luke Haley had 1 assist. Isaac Sedek and Lucian Bernatavitz each recorded their first shutout of the season.

MBA went 0/3 on the power play and the Knights were 0/4.

After the game, MBA Head Coach Tim Kovick and Captain Blake Robison spoke about their team’s performance:

Pope John Paul II – CPA Head Coach Justin Clark and Captain Max Galphin also spoke on what their team’s play and what they plan to do going forward to get the Knights a win:

Both teams will be back in action next week. Pope John Paul II – CPA will play Father Ryan on October 30^th, at 8:30pm at Centennial PlexB. Montgomery Bell Academy will take on Lipscomb-Brentwood Academy on November 1^st, at 8:30pm at Centennial PlexB.