In a rematch between the top two teams in the county on Feb. 3 at The Gardens Ice House, Atholton handed Marriotts Ridge its first loss of the season, 3-1. Avery Shepherd scored twice for the Raiders, and Jake Mills had a pair of assists. Marriotts Ridge took a 1-0 lead only 12 seconds into the first period on a goal by Matt McNutt assisted by Kyle Davis, but the Mustangs were unable to score again.
Atholton goaltender Tommy Pappas allowed only one goal, making 20 saves, and Marriotts Ridge goalie Dylan Schoen blocked 25 of the 28 shots he faced.
On Jan. 6, Marriotts Ridge defeated Atholton, 3-1.
Both teams are now tied atop the league standings with matching 9-1 records, but Marriotts Ridge will retain the top seed for the upcoming county tournament because of a tiebreaker (least penalties).
River Hill finished the league season in third place, followed by Long Reach in fourth and Glenelg in fifth. The sixth and final team to make the playoffs — either Centennial or Howard — will be determined by the last week of league play.
The Howard County playoffs begin Monday, Feb. 13 with a game between Long Reach and Glenelg at The Gardens Ice House, and conclude with the championship game on Feb. 17 at the Columbia Ice Rink. The winner will represent Howard County in the MSHL state tournament.
River Hill senior Pauline Shih has signed a National Letter of Intent to play for Miami University of Ohio. She is one of eight players nationwide signing with the Red Hawks.