Mason/Oakton Hockey Team Gains Come-Back Win Over Flint Hill

By FALLS CHURCH TIMES STAFF
January 31, 2011

The George Mason/Oakton ice hockey team overcame a two-goal first-period deficit to gain a 6-2 victory over Flint Hill Saturday night at Ashburn Ice House. 

Although the Mason/Oakton squad outshot Flint Hill 11-9 in the first period, Flint Hill scored twice on breakaways to lead the contest 2-0 at the first intermission. 

But the second period saw a momentum shift which lasted throughout the game, as Mason goalie Eddy Marshall stopped multiple point-blank shots and his teammates began finding the back of the net at the opposite end. 

Oakton sophomore John Zalubski scored midway through the second period to cut Flint Hill’s lead to one, followed by a tying goal by Oakton sophomore Matt Stalzer to end the period. 

George Mason’s skaters dominated the game in the third period, with each gaining scoresheet points for goals or assists.  Early in the period, Mason junior Hans Olson scored his team’s third goal on a shot above the goalie’s shoulder, and one minute later picked up an assist on a pass to Mason freshman Jack Stricker, who buried the puck to make it 4-2.   

The assault continued on the next shift, when Mason freshman Adam Fendley stole the puck at Flint Hill’s blue line and passed to Zalubski in front of the goal, where Zalubski picked up his second goal of the game with Fendley getting the assist.  The score with eight minutes left was 5-2 for Mason/Oakton. 

The final score came on assists from Mason skaters Olson and Connor Rhodes.  Rhodes started the play from the right corner with a pass to Olson in the high slot, who in turned delivered it to Oakton sophomore Chris Peterkin in front of the net.  Peterkin tapped the puck past the Flint Hill goalie to make it 6-2.     

Flint Hill tried desperately to get back in the game late in the third period, peppering Marshall with shots from every angle, but the Mason senior stopped every effort and his defenders efficiently cleared all rebounds.  For the night, Marshall stopped 29 of 31 shots, while his teammates fired 35 shots against Flint Hill.  

The win marked the second victory of the season for Mason/Oakton, which improved to 2-6 and has won two of its last three games. 

The Mason/Oakton squad plays Woodson Saturday February 5 at 9:20pm at Ashburn Ice House, followed by the final game of the season Wednesday February 9 at 4pm against Osbourn Park at the Lumberyard Rink in Haymarket.