The McLean High School Ice Hockey team, coached by John Sherlock, is off to a 4-1 start and holds a one-game lead over cross-town rival Langley in the Adams Division of the Northern Virginia Scholastic Hockey League.
McLean is the defending Adams Division champion and was the runner up in the NVSHL finals last season.
McLean had two big wins recently – Jan. 10 over Herndon, 12-8, and Friday 8-4 over rival Madison.
Seniors Nick Baker and Maury Winter and junior Grady Paine led the way.
In the win over Herndon, Baker set a school record for most points (nine) in a game with four goals and five assists. Winter added a hat trick of his own along with two assists, while Paine had two goals.
McLean spread the wealth with points from freshman Taylor Saffer (one goal and one assist), senior Paul Forest (one goal and one assist), and junior Remi Paine (two assists). Senior Craig Pritchard added one goal, and junior Ajmal Behsudi and freshman Filip Lindberg each had an assist.
Freshman goalie Jon Bikoff notched his first career NVSHL win in the contest.
Versus Madison, Grady Paine had another big night with a hat trick, as did Baker, adding another four assists. Winter had two goals and an assist. Senior Cam McLaughlin added a goal and two assists, Lindberg scored his first two career NVSHL goals, and freshman Ryan “The Brick” Waugh had his first career NVSHL assist.
McLean takes the ice again Friday at 9:20 p.m. at the Ashburn Ice House against Forest Park and Brentsville. They will play Langley in a matchup set for Feb. 3 at 9:40 p.m. at Skatequest in Reston.
