The Richard Montgomery Hockey team fell 9-6 last Friday night against the Blair Blazers. While the game was well-fought, the Rockets let in several key early goals that would build to give Blair an insurmountable lead.

In the first couple of minutes in the game, the Rocket defense was quite strong, hardly allowing any shots on goal. This changed, however, when Blair defenseman Eric Charpentier scored. Two minutes later, the Blazers added to their lead with a goal by Dimitry Kebreau, making the score 2-0. Kebreau and Charpentier would be the anchors of the Blair offense, both contributing heavily with several assists, shots, and goals.

The Rockets would struggle to catch up to the Blazers for the majority of the game, which severely impacted the team’s morale. “We tried to jump on them early, but that didn’t work, and being behind makes a huge difference in how you play,” said junior defenseman Kenneth Trinh.

RM cut the Blazer lead in half with a goal from Trinh, but Blair scored once more to put the Rockets in a worse position. A Blair penalty gave RM a player advantage and Trinh again came forward from the defensive line to return the Rockets within one goal of Blair.

Four minutes into the second period, Charpentier struck again for the Blazers, putting them up 4-2. Much of the second period was scoreless, but a penalty late in the period gave RM the chance to score again, which Adrian Martella used to make the score 4-3. A minute later, Martella scored again to tie the game at 4.

The third period of the game was filled with scoring. Moments in, Blair scored to take the chance of tying away from the Rockets. Three minutes later, the Blazers scored again to increase their lead by 2. A penalty on Blair gives the Rockets the opportunity to decrease their deficit, and Martella uses the opportunity to score.

Despite the effort, Blair scored back-to-back-to-back goals within the next minute to make the score 9-5, effectively sealing their win. RM finished the game out strong, playing hard until the last few seconds ticked off the clock. In the final eight and a half minutes, Trevor Gutman scored to end the game 9-6.

The Rockets performed well offensively, yet struggled on defense, allowing many Blair goals, which changed how the team played. “Our goal for most of the game was to come back,” said Owen Deli.

“It was a tough loss,” senior captain Peter Jasperse admitted. “We need to get ahead [faster] next time, since it’s tough playing behind the whole game.”

The Rockets will take a short hiatus for winter break, looking to bounce back in the new year versus Walt Whitman after losing the past four games. RM opened up their season playing Whitman, winning 4-2, so they hope this time they can pull out another win.

“We’re hungry,” said Trinh simply. “[We want to] have a good rematch and beat them.”

Feature photo by Lifetouch