The George Mason High School club ice hockey team, partnering with West Potomac, continued its winning ways last Friday, overwhelming the Oakton High School Cougars 9-3 in a game that was never close.
Playing in a visiting role at Skatequest Reston, the Mustangs took command of the ice early and overwhelmed the Cougars with smothering forechecks that forced turnover after turnover and led to repeated scoring opportunities.
With only 17 seconds elapsed, Mustang freshman Marsden Davis got his team started with a goal from the left side. The team then began picking apart the opposing goalies Jason Sherman and Christian Moore, gaining a 4-0 lead by the end of the first period and a 7-0 lead late in the second.
Oakton picked up three quick goals as the second period neared its end, but that was all the scoring the team would see in the game.
Mustang captain Hunter Olson continued his torrid scoring pace with three goals and three assists, supported by Connor Rhodes with two goals and one assist.
Playing without second-leading scorer Andrew Williamson, the Mustangs were aided when their West Potomac allies picked up the pace, with Bobby Soule scoring two goals and Peter Stamos one.
Defensemen Adam Fendley, Jack Stricker, Alex Holm and Stamos led an extremely aggressive coverage of Cougar sharpshooters Elliott Root and William Rucker, denying them the middle of the ice and repeatedly skating them off the puck.
GM-WestPo goalie Bryan Snigur had another outstanding performance, framed by a poetic play in the third period when Snigur, sliding right to cover an anticipated shot from that side, initially looked out of position when the puck carrier passed to a teammate racing in up the middle. Thrusting his glove to his left even as he slid right, Snigur picked the puck out of the air, causing his bench to erupt in cheers and the Cougar shooter to whack the ice in frustration.
The win makes the GM-WestPo squad 5-2 for the season and 4-1 in league play. They return to the ice Saturday, Jan. 5, against Briar Woods High School at Ashburn Ice House.
