The WJ Icecats defeated the B-CC Barons in a competitive 6-2 win on Friday, Dec. 15.
High-powered and explosive offense continues to drive the Icecats in their games. So far in the regular season, the team has not been shut out a single time, and in their last four games, have averaged 5.75 goals per game.
The Icecats put their offense on display on Friday, opening the game with a 4-goal first period with two goals by freshman Ruslan Titov and goals from sophomore Henry Horwell and junior Patrick Murphy, respectively.
Titov’s first and Horwell and Murphy’s goals were all power-play goals, with the special teams unit performing exceptionally well in the first period, going 3 for 5.
“The power play is a huge part of the game, so it’s something we focus on a lot. We have really worked on moving and getting open for each other … almost to the point where I feel like I’m able to know where my teammates are without even looking,” Horwell said.
Murphy and Horwell each had three-point nights with 1 goal and 2 assists. In addition, Horwell now leads the team in points with 11 points (6 goals and 5 assists) this season.
“It’s a great feeling to know you can help your team out in a big way. But it’s not just me, we have so much other offensive and defensive firepower that helps us win games,” Horwell said.
Following the first period, Barons head coach Alex Macuch made the call to pull starting goalie, junior Vivienne Boyle and sub in backup junior Tycho Narrod-Malcon. The move helped as the Icecats were held off the scoresheet in the second period, while the Barons got a goal back courtesy of senior Matthew Duffy.
However, the Icecats’ explosive offense could not be held back forever, as third-period goals by juniors Jack Potash and Cameron Luskin gave the Icecats a 6-1 lead. The game would close with a consolation goal for Duffy, ending the matchup 6-2.
The win was the biggest win over the Barons in four years; the last time the Icecats beat them by four or more goals was in October 2019, beating them 6-1. The win also has given the team a four-game win streak over the Barons.
“Joining the team my freshman year, I was told by the upperclassmen we had never lost to B-CC in the regular season in all of WJ history. The upperclassmen and coaches brought extra intensity to the practices leading up to the game, so I knew they wanted this win, and I did, too. This really means a lot to me because seeing the seniors so passionate about beating them and me now, as a senior, feeling the same way,” senior captain Jon Corwin said.
With the big win on their shoulders, the team will next look to face the Churchill Bulldogs on Wednesday, Dec. 20 at Rockville Ice Arena.
The Bulldogs are 8-0-1 with their only non-win coming in a tie to the Icecats earlier this season. It has been over two years since the Bulldogs last outright beat the Icecats, with their last win over WJ coming in March 2021.
