Source: https://gprephockey.com/11-12_season/
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 01:14:58+00:00

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For the first time in Georgetown Prep hockey history a player has been named Washington Post All-Met Player of the Year. The 2011-12 selection goes to PJ McNamara . PJ was also selected to the First All-Met. The Post takes all the private schools and public schools in the region into consideration.
AJ Taylor was selected for 2nd Team. Kyle Chadwick and Michael McDonald were selected for Honorable Mention.
(Rockville Rink) The Hoyas stayed close through two periods, but had a rough third period in falling to Landon, 7-2 in the IAC championship game. It is very difficult to beat a good team twice in a season, especially twice in less than a week. Such a task becomes even more challenging as the Landon game was played back-to-back after a game the previous evening v. St. Albans.
Even so, Prep looked confidently to the match-up vs. their arch-rival. Even though Landon took an early 1-0 lead, Prep had its chances, narrowly missing early and then in the middle of the first period. Prep looked to be down only 1-0 at the first intermission when Landon shattered that notion by scoring with only 48 seconds left to take a 2-0 lead.
In the second, Prep battled back and cut the Landon lead to 2-1 on an impressive power play goal scored by super-sophomore winger Ryan Howe ’14, who capitalized on a juicy rebound off of the stick of big frosh forward Jack Olson ’15. At this point, the game was still Prep’s for the taking and the rest of the period played-out much as the previous contest vs. Landon with one major exception: With only 16 seconds left in the period, Landon scored another late tally to regain the 2 goal lead, at 3-1. The determined Hoyas left the ice for the second intermission during the resurfacing, hoping to regain the momentum in the final period.
However, the Bears had other ideas, scoring at 3 minutes, and at 6 and a half minutes of the final period to open up a 5-1 lead. Coach O’Leary brought in junior goaltender Stephen Ward ’13 in relief in an effort to re-gain the game’s momentum with 6:28 remaining in the game. With just over 4 minutes to play, Kyle Chadwick ’13 passed from deep in the Landon zone to big blueliner Lazar Zamurovic ’14, who let fly a cannon blast that beat the Landon goalie and gave Prep some life while cutting the score to a more respectable 5-2. However, before the game announcer could even finish announcing Lazar’s marker, Landon responded by scoring 9 seconds later to stretch their lead to 6-2, and then again with 3:40 left to 7-2, and end the game scoring.
From an upside perspective, Prep only gave up 42 shots to the fast-skating Bears as opposed to 61 shots during the 3-2 victory the week prior. Similarly, Prep took 17 shots during this game as opposed to 16 shots in the previous contest.
Although finishing league play as IAC finalists, Prep remains the number one seed in the MAPHL, and takes-on 8th seed St. Albans at Rockville on Tuesday, 2/21 at 4:00 pm in the MAPHL quarter-finals. If Prep wins the MAPHL quarter and semi-finals it will likely earn a re-match v. arch foe Landon for the state championship, setting the scene for a potentially historic Prep victory. Prep brings into the MAPHL/state championship playoffs three first-team All-MAPHL selections: Goalie PJ McNamara ’12, who has also been named MAPHL player of the year; and forwards AJ Taylor ’12 and Kyle Chadwick ’13.
(Rockville Rink) The Hoyas started out strongly and extended their lead to beat the St. Albans Bulldogs 4-1 and advance to the IAC Championship game. It was all Prep early, as St. Albans took a penalty 20 seconds into the game. 27 seconds later, Matt Billings ’14 started the play by distributing the puck to Jack Olson ’15. Jack found Kyle Chadwick ’13 in front of the St. Albans goal with Kyle tallying on a snap-shot that opened the game scoring and gave Prep an early 1-0 lead prior to one minute of play elapsing. Possession was even between the two clubs for the next several minutes. However, with 9 minutes left in the period Kyle Chadwick ’13 passed to senior assistant team Captain AJ Taylor ’12, who sent a blistering shot into the Bulldogs’ net for a 2-0 Prep advantage. As often stated in these chronicles, 2-0 is widely considered to be “the most dangerous lead in hockey”. This adage proved correct once again as St. Albans took advantage of a late Prep penalty and scored with only 48 seconds left in the game to cut the Prep lead to 2-1.
Into the second period, Prep looked to grab the two-goal lead again as St. Albans looked for the equalizer. Both teams ramped-up the tempo and each side drew penalties as the game marched on. With only 2:33 left in the period and with the outcome still seriously in doubt, Ryan Howe ’14 took the game into his own hands. On the Prep side of the neutral zone, Ryan found himself battling for the puck against two large St. Albans opponents. Although double-teamed, Ryan refused to give up. Continously moving his feet, Ryan worked the puck free, even using a kicking motion to get the puck onto his stick and away from the St. Albans defenders. Once free, Ryan accelerated like a rocket and moved in on the Bulldogs’ goal for the kill. In full flight, Ryan reached the top of the right face-off circle and let fly a perfectly placed wrister that landed in the left top-shelf of the net to give Prep a commanding 3-1 lead. Ryan’s goal allowed Prep to re-gain the game’s momentum as Prep controlled the rest of the period.
After the ice cut and a well-earned and needed rest/hydration, the teams returned for the third period. As expected, St. Albans came out with a fury, and banged a puck off of the post. Still P.J. McNamara was equal to all comers, turning aside blast after frantic blast. With 3:36 remaining in the game, it was time for Brendan Peel ’14 to grab the spotlight. Taking a pass in the neutral zone from Kyle Chadwick ’13, Brendan flew into the St. Albans zone unobstructed and at full tilt. Upon reaching the circle, Brendan unleashed a scorching wrist shot that easily fooled the unsuspecting Bulldog’s goalie to give Prep an insurmountable 4-1 lead and the game.
Balanced scoring, strong blue-line play, continuous hard work, and PJ McNamara’s backstopping combined to give Prep the hard-fought victory over a St. Albans team that never gave up.
By defeating St. Albans, the Hoyas gain a re-match the next day at 4:00 pm on 2/16/12 at Rockville v. arch rival Landon, who easily stopped Bullis 6-2 on the same evening. The Hoyas hope to beat Landon and win the IAC championship for the first time since the 2009-2010 season.
(Cabin John Ice Arena, 2/10/12) In a packed house, the Hoyas rose to the occasion and defeated Landon 3-2 in the final regular season IAC and MAPHL game. Reporters from both the Montgomery Gazette and Washington Post were on hand to record the game highlights, and to interview the game stars after the contest. The stakes were high. The winner would become the top seed in both the IAC and MAPHL playoffs, and perhaps of equal or more importance, would be the winner over their IAC rival.
The pre-game prescription for victory: the longer the Hoyas could keep the Bears off of the scoreboard, the better the opportunity for a victory. In the first period, Prep took it right to the skilled Bears, nearly scoring early. In like fashion the Bears blasted a number of shots at Prep goaltender PJ McNamara ’12, who was equal to the task.
Playing without senior team Captain Mike McDonald ’12, who was out with a shoulder injury, Coach O’Leary shifted freshman winger Jack Olson ’15 to the blueline, where Jack could use his big body to help stave off the fleet Landon forwards and his hard shot from the point to keep Landon’s goalie off-balance. The strategy (and prediction of the game) seemed to be working, as the first period was contested about evenly, and ended 0-0.
The second period saw Landon gaining the edge in both possession and shots. As with the first period, PJ McNamara ’12 made a number of stellar saves to keep the Bears off of the board. With only 2:17 remaining in the period, Kyle Chadwick ’13 started the play to Adrian Wowk ’14, who found an open AJ Taylor ’12 with AJ finding the back of the Landon net off of a blazing wrist shot as Prep drew first blood and took a 1-0 lead late in the period. However, only 15 seconds later, before the announcer could complete the goal announcement, Landon struck to get on the board and tie the game at 1-1. As the period ended, both teams left the ice for the MAPHL-required ice cut and a needed rest and hydrating by the Hoyas.
Noted Canadian hockey author Roy MacGregor calls hockey “the dance of life”. The Hoyas understood this in their own way, huddling in the locker room prior to the start of the third period, and motivating each other to keep up the pressure, work hard, score, and to do everything possible to win the game. Fortunately a key Landon penalty at the end of the second period for “too many men on the ice” gave the Hoyas a full 2 minute powerplay opportunity to start the third period. One minute and five seconds later, AJ Taylor ’12 blasted his second goal of the game with helpers from Lazar Zamurovic ’14 and Kyle Chadwick ’13 to regain the lead at 2-1. The rest of the period was played mostly in Prep’s end as the hard-charging Landon forwards peppered Prep goalie PJ McNamara ’12, but failed to make a dent.
As the clock ticked down to the final minutes of the game, Prep took a penalty, giving Landon a potentially golden opportunity to tie the game with only 1:24 remaining. As a part of their effort, Landon pulled their goalie and added the extra attacker for a 6 on 4 advantage. The Hoya nation’s hearts pounded in unison as the Landon power play began. Less than half a minute into the frantic Landon powerplay, senior assistant Captain AJ Taylor ’12 grabbed a loose puck at his blue line and skated into the neutral zone as 2 Bears closed in on him. Unruffled by the pressure, AJ calmly golfed a 90 foot shot that neatly buried itself into the open Landon net to give him the hat-trick, Prep a 3-1 lead, and a stranglehold on the game.
The never-say-die Bears pulled their goalie again, and with the 6 on 5 advantage were able to score and close the Prep lead to 3-2 with only 7 seconds remaining in the contest. As time ran out, Prep celebrated its greatest win of the season, and 4 Landon players were assessed a total of 3 minor penalties for roughing and unsportsmanlike conduct, and four 10-minute misconduct penalties for their unsportsmanlike behavior after the game ended.
Although Landon rolled 4 lines throughout the game and its roster is replete with tier I players, the Hoyas won the game with hard work, emotion, and teamwork, culminated by AJ Taylor’s goal-scoring and PJ McNamara erecting a wall over the goal. Prep’s record now stands at 14-3 and it has rightfully assumed command of its destiny for the upcoming IAC and MAPHL playoffs.
(Rockville Rink) In a much-anticipated match-up, Prep was at its best defeating upset-minded Bullis by an overwhelming 8-2 score. Three minutes into the game, Prep received its first of several power play opportunities, but failed to score. However, two and a half minutes later, big defenseman Matt Billings ’14 rushed the puck through two defenders and took a hard shot that produced a juicy rebound, which Kyle Chadwick ’13 pounced on to open the scoring at 1-0 Prep. Less than a minute later, Bullis took another penalty and this time Prep made them pay. Jack Olson ’15 carried the puck into the Bullis zone and blasted a shot producing another rebound, which was then buried by senior team assistant Captain AJ Taylor ’12 to produce a 2-0 Prep lead. With 1:45 left in the period, AJ Taylor’s break-away shot was stopped, but was successful in drawing yet another Bullis penalty. With only 19 seconds left in the first stanza, Lazar Zamurovic ’14 took a pass from AJ Taylor ’12 and powered a hard shot from the point on goal that rebounded to an opportunistic Kyle Chadwick ’13 who scored his second of the game to give Prep a 3-0 lead at the first intermission.
In the second period, Jack Olson scored on a 5 on 3 Prep advantage from Lazar Zamurovic ’14 and Matt Billings ’14 to open up a 4-0 Prep bulge as the Hoyas took control of the game. Less than 2 inutes later AJ Taylor ’12 powered in a hard wrister off of a feed from Kyle Chadwick ’13 to increase Prep’s lead to 5-0. Bullis finally got on the board, producing a power play goal with only 1 second left in the infraction, closing the Prep lead to 5-1. With just under 7 minutes in the period, Kyle Chadwick took the puck away from a startled Bullis goalie that was attempting to clear the puck up ice, and neatly tucked it into the net for his third goal/the hat trick on the night as Prep roared to a 6-1 lead. Then, with only 36 seconds left in the period, Matt Billings ’14 head-manned the puck to a streaking Lazar Zamurovic ’14, who shot the puck down low to Kyle Chadwick ’13, resulting in Kyle’s fourth marker of the game and giving Prep a 7-1 lead.
In the third period, Coach O’Leary opened up the bench as Prep continued to dominate the shots and the game. Bullis was able to score a goal early to cut Prep’s lead to 7-2. With just under 7 minutes remainign in the game, Kyle Chadwick scored his fifth goal of the contest from AJ Taylor ’12 to close out the scoring in a big Prep victory, 8-0.
Prep is now 13-3 on the season and undefeated since the Purple Puck. The team remains tied in first place in the IAC with arch-rival Landon, and second in the MAPHL standings.
Laurel Ice Gardens – The Hoyas started out the month of February in grand style, besting the 10-time state champion DeMatha Stags 7-3 in a key MAPHL contest. In the DeMatha end on the game’s second shift, Cole Taylor ’14 passed to Jack Olson ’15, who wasted no time getting the Hoyas on the board with a blistering shot just over one minute into the game to give Prep a 1-0 lead and set the tone for the game. Although DeMatha was able to draw even with 5 minutes left in the first period, Jack Olson ’15 struck 36 seconds later on a feed from Lazar Zamurovic ’14 to restore Prep’s momentum and the lead at 2-1. The large Stags boasted a roster of several six-footers, but the mighty Hoya icers never looked back.
Six minutes into the second period, Adrian Wowk ’14 head-manned a puck from the Prep zone to center Cole Taylor ’14, who passed up to forward Ryan Howe 14. Ryan broke in on the Stags goal with a defender furiously trying to take the puck away. Ryan’s shot was a knuckler that went over the Stag netminder’s right shoulder, to give Prep a 3-1 lead as the Hoyas began to take control of the game. With 5 minutes left in the game, it was time for one of the season’s greatest highlight goals. Prep blueliner Bobby Orr, aka Matt Billings ’14, grabbed a loose puck in the Prep zone and began an incredible coast-to-coast dash through nearly the entire DeMatha squad. Crossing the Stags blueline, two large Stags defenders closed in on Matt, who shoved both aside, burst onto the goal at full tilt, and unleashed a cannon-like shot that blew by the bewildered DeMatha goalie and into the net for an unassisted tally to stretch Prep’s lead to 4-1 and completely deflate the opposition. With less than 2 minutes to play in the period, DeMatha took advantage of a Prep breakdown and scored off of a 2 on 1 odd-man advantage to bring the Stags within 2 at 4-2. However, AJ Taylor ’12 had other ideas, as he head-manned a perfect pass to Kyle Chadwick ’13, who in Peter Bondra style deked the Stags goalie forehand-backhand-forehand to deposit the puck in the net and regain Prep’s 3-goal lead at 5-2 with only 15.6 seconds left in the period.
In the final period, the Stags came out with furious energy in an attempt to score early and try to win back the lead and take the game from the Hoyas. In a very physical and fast-paced period, the score remained the same until 4:25 left to play in the game when Kyle Chadwick ’13 grabbed an errant DeMatha clearing pass and broke into the Stags offensive zone. Kyle then saucered a tape-to-tape pass to trailing Prep winger AJ Taylor ’12, who rocketed a shot past the moving DeMatha goalie for a 6-2 Prep lead. Not to be outdone, the feisty Stags responded only 35 seconds later and took advantage of a Prep breakdown to close the gap to 6-3. With just over 2 minutes left, the Stags pulled their goalie in favor of an extra attacker in a desperate bid to try to tie the game. Their strategy backfired, when winger Brendan Peel ’14 aggressively took away the puck from a DeMatha forward and raced through the neutral zone toward the empty Stags net as DeMatha players raced to catch him from behind. In an impressively unselfish move, Brendan passed over to a streaking Kyle Chadwick ’13, who easily placed the “biscuit in the basket” to give Prep a 7-3 lead and close out the game’s scoring.
Prep is now ranked second overall in the MAPHL standings and tied for first in the IAC as it prepares for its second game in three nights versus the upset-minded Bullis Bulldogs in an IAC match-up on Friday, 2/3 at Rockville.
(Mt. Pleasant Arena, Baltimore 1/25/12) In their third game in five days, the Hoya icers started fast and finished faster, besting perennial Baltimore power Calvert Hall, 4-1. From the start, the contest was played furiously by both sides, as each team looked to draw first blood. With 6 minutes gone in the first period, Calvert Hall took an inopportune penalty, and Prep promptly followed up with their first goal of the game, scored by Kyle Chadwick ’13 on assists from freshmen Jin Kim ’14, and Jack Olson ’14 as Prep took an early 1-0 lead.
With the period at the halfway mark, Kyle Chadwick ’13, grabbed an errant puck that was pushed to him in the neutral zone by Adrian Wowk ’14. Kyle deked and shot, with the Cardinal goalie saving the shot but giving up a juicy rebound that was pounced upon by AJ Taylor ’12 for a 2-0 Prep lead. In the last three minutes of the period, Kyle Chadwick ’13 roared into the Cardinal zone with a defender draped all over him, but he managed to score an unassisted goal to put Prep up 3-1 before the second intermission.
In the first minute of the final period, Calvert Hall drew yet another penalty, but nearly immediately afterwards, Kyle Chadwick ’13 was called off for a high sticking call. As Kyle’s penalty expired, he jumped back onto the ice and came upon a Cardinal defender, deep in the Calvert Hall zone, with the puck. Kyle promptly took away the puck and deposited it into the back of the net for a 4-1 lead and the hat-trick on the night, as he netted his third goal of the game to close out the scoring.
(The Pond, Newark, DE 1/21/12) Prep looked to beat Salesianum and sweep the two game road trip and started the game on fire and did so in convincing fashion by a 7-1 margin. Defenseman Lazar Zamurovic ’14 opened the game scoring with a blistering shot from the blue line as Prep opened up a 1-0 lead with 6 minutes into the game. One minute later, Lazar found an open Jack Olson ’15 in the neutral zone, and Jack raced in uncontested, deked, and buried the puck for a 2-0 Prep lead. Less than a minute later, AJ Taylor ’12 found Kyle Chadwick ’13, who wasted no time putting Prep up 3-0. With four and a half minutes remaining, Kyle Chadwick ’13 carried the puck down the right side, and passed to line mate AJ Taylor ’12, who ripped the puck into the left side of the net as Prep took a commanding 4-0 lead to close out the first period scoring.
In the second period, Salesianum came out as expected, and their hard work paid off with a short-handed tally to cut Prep’s lead to 4-1. However, with 6 minutes remaining in the period, Prep recovered their 3 goal lead with a power play goal in an impressive pass from Ryan Howe ’14 to power forward Jack Olson ’15, who powered the puck home with an NHL-caliber slap shot and a 5-1 Prep lead. 20 seconds later, Salesianum took another penalty, and AJ Taylor ’12 cashed-in from Will Banse ’12, and Mike McDonald ’12 in an “all seniors” goal to give Prep a 6-1 lead, their largest of the game. Prep also killed-off a 5 on 3 penalty that carried-into the third period.
In the final stanza, sophomore sniper Ryan Howe ’14 tallied an impressive goal unassisted at only 49 seconds of the period, to end the game’s scoring with Prep winning going away, 7-1.
(Flyers Skatezone, Philadelphia 1/20/12) After a 3 hour bus ride and a pre-game meal, Prep came out roaring against St. Joe’s, scoring 2 quick goals and coasting to a 5-1 victory. Prep v. Prep was the headliner for this rematch from this season’s Purple Puck tournament, where the Hoyas defeated St. Joe’s 2-1 in a game that was evenly played. The Hoyas expected more of the same as they faced St. Joe’s for the fifth time in 3 years. Only 2 minutes into the contest, Adrian Wowk ’14 tallied from in front of the net on a perfect pass from Senior assistant team captain AJ Taylor ’12 to give Prep a 1-0 lead. An interference call against St. Joe’s 6 minutes later resulted in Kyle Chadwick ’13 tallying a power play goal from Lazar Zamurovic ’14, and Team Captain Mike McDonald ’12 to give Prep a 2-0 lead at the first intermission.
Prep started the third period by killing off the remnants of a penalty that began at the end of the second period. The period remained 2-0 until St. Joe’s scored with only 49 seconds left to cut Prep’s lead to 2-1. Amazingly, AJ Taylor ’12 responded with a key goal, scoring 14 seconds later to lift Prep back to a two-goal lead at 3-1 and immediately turn “big mo” back to Prep.
With just less than 5 minutes to play in the game, big defenseman Lazar Zamurovic ’14 made a long pass from deep in the Prep zone to a streaking AJ Taylor ’12, who broke in alone and buried a nifty backhander behind a surprised Icehawk goaltender to stake Prep to a 4-1 lead. 29 seconds later, brother Cole “Pocket Rocket” Taylor ’14 received a perfect pass from winger Ryan Howe ’14, and shot home Prep’s fifth goal of the game to close the scoring, with Prep taking a 5-1 victory over their Jesuit brethren.
(Rockville Rink) In a tune-up prior to departing for their road trip to Philadelphia and Delaware the next day, the Hoya icers handed a defeat to traditional IAC and MAPHL foe St. Albans, 3-0.
The score of the game does not tell its tale however, as Prep out-shot the Bulldogs only by a 30-28 margin as senior assistant team Captain PJ McNamara ’12 hung tough in the net for his second straight shutout of the season.
Sweeping away dangerous pucks in the Prep end also helped keep St. Albans off the board, as senior team Captain Mike McDonald ’12 played an outstanding game defensively, punishing the opposing Bulldogs with hard checks and also by rushing the puck up ice. D-man Lazar Zamurovic ’14 contributed at both ends of the ice with many fine defensive plays and with several outstanding head-man passes from deep in the Hoya zone. Sophomore Matt Billings ’14 played a two-way game and once again, treated the crowd with his impression of a rushing Bobby Orr by screaming through the neutral zone at full tilt before unleashing his cannon-like shot on the Bulldogs net.
Offensively, the game scoring was opened by centerman Kyle Chadwick ’13, who scored unassisted in the first period just before a Bulldog defender crashed into his own net, bringing the St. Albans netminder with him and dislodging the net from its mooring. That goal also proved to be the game-winner in the shutout. In the second period, Adrian Wowk ’14 threw the puck in deep to Jack Olson ’15, who wasted no time in placing a hard shot on the Bulldogs’ net. Ryan Howe ’14,opportunistically tipped the blast into the goal to put Prep up 2-0.
Into the third stanza, St. Albans threw all that they had into the fray in an attempt to cut the Prep lead in half. Their efforts were thwarted, however, when senior assistant team captain AJ Taylor ’12, tallied an unassisted, empty-net goal (UA-ENG) to end the scoring and the game for Prep.
The Hoyas look to sweep the upcoming 2-game road trip v. St. Joe’s Prep and Salesianum and to enjoy the camaraderie that such a trip provides.
(Kettler Capitals Iceplex, 1/6/12) In their first game of 2012, the Georgetown Prep Hoyas scored 3 minutes and 50 seconds into the game and never looked back winning going away, 8-0 over the host St. Stephen/St. Agnes Saints. Prep nearly scored on each of the first three shifts of the game, when Senior Assistant Team Captain AJ Taylor ’12 put an end to the pretense by nailing a hard shot on assists from Kyle Chadwick ’13 and Brendan Peel ’14. Halfway through the period, Senior Team Captain Mike McDonald ’12 took a pass from classmate AJ Taylor ’12 and rushed through the neutral zone, deked three Saints in the offensive zone, and deposited a backhander behind the Saints netminder, to up the Prep lead to 2-0. About three minutes later and deep in the Saints’ end, Jack Olson ’13 passed to Mike McDonald ’12 on the point, who unleased a booming shot on goal that was tipped-in by Kyle Chadwick ’13 opening up a 3-0 Prep lead. Not to be outdone, star sophomore Cole Taylor ’14 netted his sixth goal of the year from Jack Olson ’15 and Matt Billings ’14 to increase Prep’s lead to 4-0. Matty was “camouflaged” in this game, spooking the opposition by wearing Justin Butler’s former number 27 jersey.
Six minutes into the second period, Senior winger IV Rosica ’12 positioned himself perfectly in the low slot, and received a behind-the-net pass from Kyle Chadwick ’13. IV patiently received the pass and ripped a low, hard wrister into the net to give Prep a commanding 5-0 lead. Just over 4 minutes later, AJ Taylor ’12 scored his second of the game on assists from fellow senior and native Georgian Guy Scott ’12 and junior defenseman Jeff Plamondon ’13 as Prep led 6-0.
In the third period, It was all Guy Scott ’12 as the Peach State senior did his best Phil Esposito impersonation, netting two goals on assists by AJ Taylor ’12 and Mike McDonald ’12 respectively. Prep goaltender PJ McNamara ’12 had a relatively quiet night in net, blocking 9 shots for the shutout. Prep took 55 shots against the beleaguered Saints goaltender, Megan Moloney, and scored eight times.
Prep’s season record stands at 7-3-0. The Washington Post’s 6th-ranked team has the week off due to end-of-semester exams. The next contest sees Prep at home in Rockville v. their IAC foe St. Albans Bulldogs on Thursday, 1/19/12 in an early game with the puck drop scheduled for 4:30 pm.
(Ft. Dupont Ice Arena, 12/30/11) After an exhilarating victory over St. Joe’s in the semi-final, an exhausted Prep squad started strongly but ultimately fell 5-1 to arch rival Gonzaga in the Purple Puck championship tilt.
Prep started out very strongly, taking the physical game to Gonzaga and also issuing crisp passes and taking hard shots on the surprised Gonzaga team. In this game, Prep looked to win the Purple Puck Championship for the third time in its history, and also to avenge an earlier 3-1 loss to Gonzaga in the opening round.
Just over 2 minutes into the game, this effort paid off. Senior assistant team captain AJ Taylor ’12 took a fine head-man pass from defenseman Lazar Zamurovic ’14, broke into the Gonzaga zone and let fly a laser wrister that beat the helpless netminder to give Prep an early 1-0 lead in the game. As in the previous game v. St. Joe’s, it appeared that a Prep rally was forthcoming. And indeed, Prep continued to press, controlling the play for the nearly the next 10 minutes. Several near misses could have easily translated into 2 or even 3 goals for Prep, but this was not to be. At about the 10 minute mark of the period, Gonzaga made a quick rush up ice to the Prep zone, and in an impressive passing display from deep in the zone to the right and then the left point, a shot was fired from the blue line that was tipped in to tie the score at 1-1. Not long after, a give-away in the Prep end resulted in a down low attempt by Gonzaga that put them up 2-1. Prep had several additional opportunities to score during the period, but took four minor penalties, one of which resulted in the Zags scoring an opportunistic goal with 6.6 seconds left in the first period, to go up 3-1 at the intermission.
In the second period, Prep looked to get back on the board and pressed early. However, the short (2 hour) recovery time between games began to wear on the team and Gonzaga was able to score another goal to take a commanding 4-1 lead. In the final minute, an empty-netter by the Zags determined the 5-1 outcome of the game, as Prep fought to the end.
Effort often determines the winner of hockey games, and there was no question that Prep went all-out against Gonzaga in this championship match-up. However, due to the pre-arranged tournament playoff schedule, Prep had played an exhausting game v. St. Joe’s at 1 pm, and had no more than 2 hours recovery time between their semi-final victory and the championship game. By comparison, Gonzaga played a relatively easy game at 11 am, having about a 4 hour recovery period. Not to make excuses of course, but it is clear that more time to hydrate and recharge could only have helped Prep. Nonetheless, kudos to our Jesuit rival Gonzaga, whom Prep will likely meet again in the MAPHL playoffs in February.
(Ft. Dupont Ice Rink, 12/30/11) The Hoyas faced familiar Jesuit foe St. Joseph’s of Philadelphia for the third time in two seasons, winning again 2-1 and with the victory catapulting into the Purple Puck tournament finals for the fourth time in five years.
In this tense match-up, Prep took a penalty about 7 minutes into the first period, and St. Joe’s took advantage, scoring 40 seconds into the penalty to take an early 1-0 lead. Prep had plenty of time remaining and remained determined to wrest the lead back from the feisty Hawks. In a flurry of momentum that has been present often this season, sophomore Ryan Howe ’14 scored close-in off of an AJ Taylor ’12 shot, to even the game score at 1-1 and excite the Hoya nation.
“Big Mo” continued for Prep, as only 30 seconds later, Kyle Chadwick ’13 ripped a shot home on a nice passing sequence with Jack Olson’ 15 to give the Hoyas a 2-1 lead in what became Kyle’s second game-winning goal in as many days. At the time though, it appeared that a major Prep rally would be forthcoming. However, the remainder of the period and the game consisted of up and down rushes, several “near goals” by each side, and late in the second period a nefarious loud, tinny “clang” heard as St. Joe’s rocketed a shot off of the Prep crossbar that missed tying the game by a fraction of an inch. Prep senior assistant captain and goaltender PJ McNamara ’12 was spectacular in net, being tested over and over again as the rapid skating and hard-shooting St. Joe’s forwards pressed. Prep was able to maintain the 2-1 score as the final reckoning of the contest, and moved on to the tournament finals to face host and arch-rival Jesuit power Gonzaga.
(Ft. Dupont Ice Arena, 12/29/11) Prep started strongly, faded in the middle, but finished powerfully, earning a come-from-behind win over Wheeling Central Catholic (Jesuit), 9-6. Prep faced a Wheeling CC team whose goalie turned-back 79 shots v. Gonzaga in an earlier tournament game, yet scored only two goals in that contest. The Wheeling goalie proved equally formidable v. Prep, turning back about the first 10-12 shots until Prep finally hit paydirt, with Cole Taylor ’14 finishing a three-player touch on assists to AJ Taylor ’12, and Jack Olson ’15 to give Prep an early 1-0 lead. Prep continued to pepper the Wheeling goaltender, yet the plucky Maroon Knights managed to tie the game at 1-1 with a close-in backhander during a scramble around the net. Less than 2 minutes later, Jack Olson ’15 took a vertical pass from Ryan Howe ’14, who had himself received the puck from Cole Taylor ’14. Jack’s score on a scorching shot re-gained the lead for Prep at 2-1. With 10 minutes left in the period, senior team Captain Mike McDonald ’12 passed in the zone to defense partner Lazar Zamurovic ’14. Lazar then fired a long pass to AJ Taylor ’12, who swooped in on goal and deked the Wheeling goalie before scoring to give Prep a 3-1 lead. Two and a half minutes later, Kyle Chadwick ’13 ripped a shot into the net on assists from AJ Taylor ’12 and Will Banse ’12 to extend Prep’s lead to a commanding 4-1. With only 41 seconds left, Prep took a penalty. 13 seconds later, Wheeling scored a power play goal and the period ended with Prep still holding a comfortable 4-2 lead and seemingly in control of the play as well as out-shooting Wheeling by a wide margin, 36-13.
The Prep Nation was in force and set for a second strong period in which it was expected that Prep would put the game quickly out of reach. In the dressing room, Coach O’Leary reminded his players not to let up in the second period, and that the late goal that Prep had given up in the first period would have the impact of motivating Wheeling. Coach O’Leary’s words proved prophetic as Wheeling came out onto the ice after the intermission supercharged and ready for battle. Shockingly to the Prep faithful, Wheeling scored four unanswered goals in the period’s first 8 minutes to take a commanding 6-4 lead, and Coach O’leary had PJ McNamara ’12 relieve starting goaltender Stephen Ward ’13. Prep knew it had to mount a serious comeback and win the game in order to advance to the semi-final round, or it would have to pack-up and go home. Fortunately for Prep, the best was yet to come.
16 seconds into an ensuing powerplay, and down by a 6-4 score, Prep defenseman Lazar Zamurovic ’14 gunned a shot into the Maroon Knights’ net, on assists by AJ Taylor ’12 and Jack Olson ’15 to close the Wheeling lead to 6-5. Prep’s play began to pick up signficantly, and with 12:29 left in the game Kyle Chadwick ’13 scored his second goal of the game on a close-in backhander off of an AJ Taylor ’12 pass to tie the game at 6-6. Prep took an inopportune penalty with 9:50 left in the game, but 49 seconds into the penalty, Kyle Chadwick ’13 intercepted the Wheeling goalie’s attempted clearing pass and rifled the puck into the goal for an unassisted, short-handed goal that proved to be the game winner (or in hockey abbreviation-speak, a UA-SH-GWG), earning a hat trick on the evening. With a 7-6 lead, Prep continued to press in an attempt to tie or win the period and secure more tournament points.
With only 2 minutes left in the game, Ryan Howe ’14 came racing in on a breakaway, but was tripped from behind at the last moment before releasing his shot. For the Wheeling transgression, Ryan was awarded a penalty shot. As the players lined up on their respective sidelines, Ryan stood at center ice staring at the idle puck. The referee then whistled for the penalty shot to begin. Ryan carefully gathered the puck and raced in alone on the Wheeling goaltender, deking forward and then depositing a perfectly placed backhander into the net to give Prep an 8-6 lead with the game nearly over.
Still, the never-say-die Maroon Knights pulled their goalie in a bid to tie the game. With 1 minute left though, Jack Olson ’14 scored his second goal of the game, this one an empty-netter, to seal Prep’s 9-6 victory. After withstanding the 4 unanswered Wheeling goals, Prep stormed back to score 5 of their own unanswered goals. Prep was proud of its effort and with the game’s outcome, but it tipped its hat to their Jesuit brethren, the hard-working Maroon Knights and their outstanding goaltender.
Prep plays St. Joe’s Prep (of Philadelphia) in the tournament semi-finals tomorrow (12/30) at 1 pm. The winner of that game will play the winner of the other semi-final match at 5 pm for the tournament championship.
(Ft. Dupont Ice Arena, 12/29/11) Gonzaga’s first period offensive outburst sends Prep to its first Purple Puck defeat, 3-1. In this pivotal first round game that likely would decide not just the winner, but the prospective tournament champion, Prep gave up 3 goals in the first period, losing the re-match to their Jesuit rival Gonzaga Eagles in a hotly contested game.
After up-and-down rushes by both sides, Gonzaga was able to tally first at about 8 minutes into the game. The Eagles won a face-off in their offensive zone, with their point man then firing on net. The first shot was rejected, as was the second, but the third attempt reached the back of the Prep net to give the Eagles an early 1-0 lead. Less than 2 minutes later, a near repeat of this goal appeared to provide Gonzaga with their second score. After winning another offensive-zone faceoff, the Gonzaga defender ripped a shot that was tipped at the crease and dribbled into the net, making the score 2-0. Knowing that the next goal could well decide the direction of the game, Prep stepped up the already high game tempo, increasing the overall intensity of their play and firing the puck at the Zags’ goaltender. Unfortunately, Gonzaga was able to score their third goal of the period on a shot from the left point that was tipped, beating a screened Prep goalie PJ McNamara ’12. Prep Coach Sean O’Leary made a rare goalie change with about 11 minutes left in the 25 minute period as Stephen Ward ’13 entered the contest.
In the second period, Prep’s Kyle Chadwick ’13 won the opening faceoff and raced down the ice onto the Gonzaga net. Kyle’s shot sailed wide, and the “game of attrition” was on. The Prep nation cheered on the team, surmising that Gonzaga could not outlast a Prep second period salvo over 25 minutes. An early Prep penalty resulted in Prep continuing their penalty-killing excellence, as Gonzaga failed to capitalize. Another Kyle Chadwick ’13 breakaway went for naught as Kyle had to extend the puck from his stick as he split the defense, and the puck rolled away harmlessly.
The clock became Prep’s worst enemy, as the Eagles were generally content to chip the puck out of their zone into neutral ice or into the Prep end to preserve their lead. With just over 7 minutes remaining in the game, Jack Olson ’15 came out on the ice and captured a clearing pass from Ryan Howe ’14 in the neutral zone. Jack grabbed the puck and turned on the jets, flying into Gonzaga territory as the stunned Zags watched Jack deke their goalie and bang the puck home for a Prep score, and cutting the lead to 3-1.
With only 3:38 remaining, Gonzaga took a penalty, giving Prep the chance to draw within one score. However, the disciplined Eagles continued to clear and chip out the puck from harm’s way to preserve the 3-1 victory and become the prospective first seed in the Purple (black and blue?) division.
Prep lives to skate another day though, and plays again this evening at 7 pm v. Wheeling Central Catholic (Jesuit), who lost 4-2 to Gonzaga yesterday. If Prep wins tonight, it will become the second seed in their division and will meet the White Division first seed — most likely St. Joe’s, which defeated Huntington 8-3 today after the Prep game, and defeated St. Albans 5-2 yesterday.
(Fort Dupont Ice Arena, 12/28/11) Prep began the Purple Puck tournament in commanding fashion, dispatching the Severna Park Eagles by a 6-1 score. This is the 19th running of this annual tournament, in which games are played in two 25 minute periods instead of the traditional three 15 minute periods.
The first period saw the teams exchange up-and-down action in the early going. At 4 and a half minutes into the period, Prep netminder PJ McNamara ’12 made strong saves on a hard Severna Park shot followed by a rebound attempt. Several minutes later, Severna Park drew the game’s first penalty, and Prep hoped to capitalize. Prep failed to score, and shortly after the penalty expired, PJ McNamara ’12 made another impressive save on a Severna Park breakaway, keeping the opposition off of the board. With 15 minutes left in the period, Prep took its first penalty of the game, but continued its recent excellence at penalty-killing, staving off the Eagles’ scoring attempts. In the last 10 minutes, Severna Park took a series of penalties, resulting in a long 5 on 3 chance for Prep to open the game scoring. However, strong goaltending by Severna Park along with timely clears kept Prep off of the board. With only 1:43 left in the period, and with both teams looking forward to the intermission to recharge, Adrian Wowk ’14 fired the puck on net from the left point. AJ Taylor ’12 grabbed the rebound and took a follow-on shot, also blocked by the Eagles’ goalie. However, the second rebound came to an opportunistically positioned Cole Taylor ’14, who sniped the puck into the net to give Prep a 1-0 lead. With 58 seconds remaining in the period, Kyle Chadwick ’13 grabbed the puck in the neutral zone and hustled down the left wing. Trailing the play, AJ Taylor ’12 positioned himself in the high slot and took a tape-to-tape pass from Kyle. AJ promptly deposited the puck into the back of the Severna Park net, to give Prep a 2-0 lead, scoring Prep’s second goal in 49 seconds. Prep dominated the period, and outshot Severna Park by 22-10. However, without the strong play of defenders Mike McDonald ’12, Jeff Plamondon, ’13, Lazar Zamurovic ’14, and Michael Roche ’13, the Eagles may have lit the lamp.
In the second period, Stephen Ward ’13 came out in goal for the Hoyas, relieving PJ McNamara ’12, who shut out the Eagles during the first period. Prep knew that the Eagles would come out fired-up, bidding for their first goal and a chance to get back into the game. However, less than 2 minutes into the period, defenseman Lazar Zamurovic ’14 pinched deep into the Severna Park end, received the puck from AJ Taylor ’12 and ripped the puck toward the front of the net from behind. The result was the puck hitting the helpless Eagles goalie and caroming into the net to put Prep up 3-0. About 3 and a half minutes later, Kyle Chadwick ’13 won the faceoff in the offensive zone back to Lazar Zamurovic ’14 on the right point. Lazar let loose a hard, low blast of a shot that beat the Severna Park goalie cleanly, to extend Prep’s lead to 4-0. 13 minutes into the period, Cole Taylor ’14 sent an impressive pass from his end to a streaking Ryan Howe ’14 in the Prep side of the neutral zone. Gathering up the puck at full tilt, Ryan crossed the far blue line, and in his best Ryan Getzlaf imitation, deked the remaining Severna Park defender off of the puck. The defender dispatched, Ryan bore down on the goal, and once in the low slot unleashed a blazing wrister that rang the crossbar and bounced into the back of the net for Prep’s fifth goal. With 7:18 remaining in the game, Kyle Chadwick ’13 took a neutral zone pass from forward Joey Altemus ’15 and sped in on a breakaway. A nifty forehand-backhand-forehand deke resulted in Prep’s sixth and final tally, moved Prep to a 6-0 lead in the game, and gave Joey Altemus his first varsity point, which earned him the game puck. About a minute later, Ryan Holman ’15 took a hard slap shot at the Eagles net that produced a juicy rebound, but no Prep forward was in the area to take advantage. Barry Leese ’15 took over in the Prep net for the final minutes of the game, as Prep won going away, 6-1.
Prep outshot Severna Park by a 48-17 margin over the game, and several strong saves by the Eagles’ netminder kept Prep from running up a greater margin of victory. Lazar Zamurovic ’14 was named the game’s first star and AJ Taylor ’12 was selected as the game’s second star. Prep returns to action on Thursday, 12/29 with a tough rematch v. Jesuit rival Gonzaga at 11 am, followed by a 7 pm game v. Wheeling Central Catholic.
(Cabin John Rink, 12/16/11) In the last game prior to the Christmas break, Prep came out strong, stayed out of penalty problems, rode a two goal display by Cole Taylor ’14, Adrian Wowk ’14 scored his first varsity goal, and PJ McNamara ’12 was outstanding in net as the Hoyas beat Mt. St. Joseph in a key MAPHL contest.
The Gaels had entered the game 3-0 and looked to continue their unbeaten start to the season. Prep was determined to make-up for their previous outing with a victory, and to enter the Christmas break ready to take on all-comers a the Purple Puck tournament in late December. The first period could fairly be characterized as a one in which Prep continually was on the offense, dominating in control of the puck but with shots being even throughout and the period ending with no score by either side.
At 3:27 into the second period, Jack Olson ’15, rifled a shot at the Gaels’ net that was re-directed by Adrian Wowk ’14, who did an excellent job screening the MSJ goalie, and putting Prep up 1-0. Less than 2 minutes later, super sophomore “Pocket Rocket” Cole Taylor ’14 scored his first of two goals. Offensive defenseman Matt Billings ’14 split the Gaels’ defense as Cole raced in to pop the puck behind the Gael netminder, stretching the Prep lead to 2-0. As all true aficionados of the great ice game are aware, a 2-0 lead is “the most dangerous lead in hockey”. This axiom proved true once again as Mt. St. Joe’s scored 30 seconds later to cut Prep’s lead to 2-1. Not to be outdone, Cole Taylor ’14 tipped in a hard shot taken by brother AJ Taylor ’12 in their best “brother act” routine. With just over 3 minutes left in the period, Prep goaltender PJ McNamara ’12 made an outstanding save on the Gaels’ captain, to preserve the 2 goal lead.
Into the third period, Prep began to pepper the MSJ net, but to no avail as the Gaels’ sturdy netminder turned back shot after shot. Not be be outdone, PJ McNamara ’12 contained the MSJ offense, making timely saves includng a great stop on a point blank shot with about 5 minutes left in the game. Prep outshot MSJ 37-21 and enters the Christmas break victorious and with an overall season record of 3-1.
(Cabin John Arena, 12/2/11) In the first Mid Atlantic Prep Hockey League (MAPHL) contest of the year, Prep extended their lead to three goals in the third period, and held off an end-of-game rally by Gonzaga on a 6 on 4 situation, to win 4-3.
11/28/11 – Prep Defeats Public School Powerhouse Wootton 5-2 to Start Season!
(Rockville Ice Arena, 11/28/11) In an impressive season opener, Prep defeated local public high school Wootton, 5-2. … see remainder of story here Video and Slideshow below. Photos here.
A great event to support Prep Hockey – see the past games here, or go to the 2009 or 2008 games.
Georgetown Prep is a member of the Mid-Atlantic Prep Hockey League (MAPHL)and the Interscholastic Athletic Conference (IAC).
Who’s that Announcer? During home games on Rink 1 or 2 at Rockville, Parent Dave Chadwick is the Master of Ceremonies.

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