Severna Park coach Chuck Fox has been talking up his freshman class of hockey players since the season began. It didn't take long for his boasts to be realized.

Freshman forward Luke Freeman scored a hat trick as the Falcons defeated Bowie, 6-1, in the Eastern Conference league opener for both teams last Friday at the Bowie Ice Rink.

"We only lost four players from last year, but we have a good crop of freshmen this year, especially offensively," said Fox. "They are contributing right now."

Fox said freshman Brian Bocskor is contributing as a playmaker.

The Falcons will face Fallston on Friday at Ice World in Edgewood at 5:30 p.m.

Long Reach cashes in

Long Reach coach John Poisal knew his team would eventually earn a victory.

He just wished it would have come a little sooner.

The second-year Lightning ended its 12-game losing streak recently by edging Glenelg, 3-2, in a Howard County at the Gardens Ice House in Laurel.

"These kids have worked very hard, and it was great to see it finally pay off," Poisal said. "By the celebration after the game, you'd think they won the Stanley Cup."

The win was not without some drama. The Lightning held a 2-1 lead entering the third period, but the Gladiators tied the game just 20 seconds into the period.

The game-winner came with 26 seconds left, when forward Eric Fiegenheimer blasted a shot from the left faceoff dot into the upper corner of the net.

Bradley Pryor and Don Wylie had the other Long Reach goals.

Loyola opens with win

Loyola surprised Archbishop Spalding, 4-3, in the MIAA A Conference opener for both teams last week at Ice World in Edgewood.

Loyola defenseman Scott Bogdan scored the game-winner with 4:20 left in the third period.

Andy Sullivan, Matt Anthol and Mike Majoule also scored for Dons.

"The win was even more remarkable when you figure that we were missing three starters," said Loyola coach Mike Reardon. "We instituted a game plan, and the players ran it to perfection. They are deeper than we are, and it's a credit to our character to win a game like that."

A week before its loss to Loyola, Spalding won the Arundel Cup, 4-3, over St. Mary's on a late goal by freshman Roger Auth.

A win in a loss

The Glenelg Country School played its first game as a member of the MIAA B Conference last Friday.

The Dragons came up on the short end of an 11-3 score to St. Paul's, but coach Mark Cholnik was still pleased.

"We had some transportation problems because of the snow, so only seven of our players made it to the game," Cholnik said. "In the end, their depth took its toll."

Zach Zeger scored the first goal in team history late in the first period, narrowing the Dragons' deficit to 2-1.

Games to watch

Tomorrow

Calvert Hall vs. Loyola at Patterson Park, 3:45

Thursday

Gilman vs. St. Paul's at Patterson Park, 4:45

Friday

Fallston vs. Severna Park at Ice World (Edgewood), 5:30

Long Reach vs. Oakland Mills at Gardens Ice House (Laurel), 3:30

Mount Hebron vs. River Hill at Gardens Ice House (Laurel), 3:40

Have a note?

If you have a note to contribute, e-mail Mike Frainie at sunhockey@comcast.net.