Boys’ Latin tied Gilman, 4-4, Friday night at Mount Pleasant Ice Rink in the regular-season finale for both teams. The outcome, however, felt like a victory for Boys’ Latin on Gilman’s senior night.
Gilman had pounded the Lakers, 10-1, in early January.
“We are definitely excited about the tie if you look at the last game,” Boys’ Latin coach Chris Maisel said. “We definitely hit them hard right from the beginning of the game. They might have been a little flatfooted.”
Boys’ Latin and Gilman will faceoff again Tuesday at 5 p.m. in a Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association B Conference semifinal at Mount Pleasant.
The latest matchup gave the Lakers a big dose of confidence.
“We have a lot of momentum right now,” Maisel said. “We will be ready to go. Last year, we played them in the semifinals, having been beaten twice in the regular season. For sure, this gives us some momentum and confidence.”
Senior Boys’ Latin right wing Colton Haugh had two goals and two assists and senior goalie Joe Celentano made 22 saves relieving freshman Travis Smith in the first period.
Wiley Hopkins, Cameron Riegel, Tommy Huber and Corey Wey scored for Gilman.
The Lakers (4-3-2) enjoyed a 2-0 lead in a high-scoring first period.
Chris Walker scored nine seconds into play, taking a nice pass from Haugh.
Justin Levendusky’s slap shot from the right point beat goalie Spencer Perry in the middle of the period to give Boys’ Latin a 2-0 lead.
“They were ready to play,” Gilman coach Zachary Collins said. “We had a little bit of a hangover from senior activities. The boys were very emotional for senior night. They were acknowledged by the fans and their parents. There were flowers to mom. They just didn’t come out with enough energy.”
Gilman picked up its intensity after the Lakers’ quick start. Hopkins scored with 7:01 remaining in the first period. Kyle Ogden was credited with the assist.
The Lakers answered 30 seconds later to go ahead 3-1 when Haugh’s wrist shot to the upper left corner got past Perry (12) saves.
Riegel capped the scoring in the first period, scoring with 57 seconds left on a back-handed shot.
Gilman took its first lead early in the third period, 4-3, on a Wey goal.
Haugh finished the scoring with 6:08 to go, skating around a defender and firing a shot to the lower left corner.
“We proved we are not a team to be overlooked,” Haugh said.