Ice hockey: Marriotts Ridge playing with passion; Stone Bridge sprints out of the gate
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Version 0 of 1. Eric Winik sees it from the defenders as they bring the puck up the ice, and he sees it from his linemates, too. As much as ever, Marriotts Ridge is playing with speed and a sense of urgency, and it starts with the back line. “[There’s] passion from everybody on the team,” Winik said. “It’s just guys like that that bring us to the next level.” The reigning Howard County Cup champions return an experienced lineup and have reloaded with several impact freshmen. One of them is Alex Stella, a year-round goalie who, despite his age, has been a veteran presence in net. He has surrendered just 17 goals, helping lead the Mustangs (9-0) to a perfect start. While Stella bolsters the defense, it’s the other end of the ice where Winik sees the new goalie’s impact. Defensemen can take more risks while wings can play more aggressively knowing there’s someone to bail them out. That’s helped defenders David Stephens (nine goals, 10 assists) and Jordan Smith (seven goals, seven assists) put together breakout seasons. “It’s always in the back of our head that our goalie is able to make the big saves, and able to provide that protection,” senior Christopher Simpson said. “It’s great to have that, because you play a lot more confidently.” Winik is doing more than his part too, notching a team-high 26 goals and 13 assists, scoring in every game. The senior center recorded a hat trick in last week’s 9-3 win over Howard County rival Atholton. The Mustangs are making a case they’re the county favorites — Glenelg (6-0-1) is the last unbeaten Howard County team — and are eyeing a return to the Maryland Student Hockey League 2A finals, where last season ended with a 10-0 loss to Churchill. “We have a lot of guys who know how to win,” Winik said. “We’ve had good starts for a couple years now, so hopefully we can [keep this going].” With its top scorers back from last season’s Northern Virginia Scholastic Hockey League championship team, there is no secret to Stone Bridge’s on-ice goals this winter. But the Bulldogs embrace high expectations. “I don’t think there is any extra pressure on us this year. I think we always come in expecting to win games and be in the finals,” senior forward Cade Groton said. “So far this year, we have come out and played very well, so I like our chances.” In 13 games last winter, Groton amassed 21 goals and six assists. In five games this season, the winger has already equaled last season’s point total with 10 goals and 17 assists. Groton and junior Ryan Leibold (14 goals 12 assists) form the league’s most dangerous attacking combination. Groton is a dominant winger who combines speed and strength to bully his was through defense while Leibold is a patient center with the vision to pick any pass. “Playing together every day has made us very comfortable with each other,” Groton said. “We know where each other is on the ice all the time.” A 9-0 win over Briar Woods on Nov. 20 is Stone Bridge’s closest result so far this season. All skaters on the top two offensive lines are averaging at least two points per game, and even in blowouts, the Bulldogs (5-0) are preparing for their ultimate goal. “We make sure we continue to do the little things correctly. We try and make sure we are constantly in the right spots, making the smart plays so that when it comes time and we are in a close game, we come out on top,” Groton said. “Our one goal is to win states again. We believe that if we play well enough consistently every game, then we will find ourselves back in the finals in February.” Gonzaga’s three losses have come against competiton from Pennsylvania. . . . Defending MSHL AA champion Churchill lost to Gonzaga, 5-3, on Nov. 11 . . . . Defending Mid-Atlantic Prep Hockey League champion Landon opened the season with wins over Calvert Hall and Good Counsel. . . . Patriot’s Justin Daves has 23 goals and 15 assists in seven games. . . . Glenelg is outscoring opponents 80-16. . . . O’Connell has won five straight since losing to McLean to open the season. 1. Gonzaga (22-3-3) Last ranked: 4 2. Churchill (20-1) LR: 1 3. Stone Bridge (13-0) LR: 2 4. Landon (21-5-2) LR: 3 5. Marriotts Ridge (13-3) LR: 7 6. Patriot (6-4-1) LR: NR 7. Glenelg (6-6) LR: NR 8. McLean (6-3-2) LR: NR 9. Annapolis/Old Mill (11-3-1) LR: NR 10. O’Connell (13-7-4) LR: 6 On the bubble: Wootton (9-4-1), Atholton (11-2), Woodbridge (10-2-1) (Final 2014-15 record and ranking) |