GRAHAM STEALS GAME IN NAPHL PLAYOFFS

SAN JOSE, CA: Team Maryland faced off against Omaha AAA Hockey Club in the NAPHL semi-final game on Sunday February 14. Omaha’s goaltender, Randy Graham had a stand out performance turning away 43 shots as Omaha defeated Team Maryland 3-2 in a closely fought game leaving everyone on the edge of their seats. Omaha then advanced to the finals against the number one ranked Southern California Titans where the game was decided in a shootout where the Titans came out on top with the shootout win. Regulation was followed by a 15-minute sudden death period resulting in a 4-4 tie. Team Maryland finished third in the NAPHL standings behind Omaha and the number one ranked Southern California Titans.

Team Maryland finished the round robin as the first seed heading into the playoff round as the team beat the St. Louis Selects 8-2 on Friday, and Milwaukee Jr. Admirals 4-2 on Saturday. Team Maryland’s only loss in the round robin came to the Lansing Capitals.

On Monday, Team Maryland competed against the St. Louis Selects for the third time this season for third place. Team Maryland came out on top in this tilt 4-2, as well as sweeping St. Louis in the series 3-0.

Although Team Maryland took a rough hit against Omaha, there were many positives that came out of this weekend. Team Maryland’s power play was on fire with 13 power play goals in five games.

Stand out players from this weekend include:  

Jake Lynes: 13 Goals, 3 Assists, for 11 points.

Maxim Gaudreault: 3 goals, 8 Assists, for 11 points.

Josh Bretner: 1 goal: 9 Assists, for 10 points.

Casey Thrush: 5 goals, 4 assists, for 9 points.

Team Maryland continues their post season run with games against the Phantom Fireworks, February 20^th and 21^st in Youngstown, Ohio; and the Boston Advantage, March 6^th and 7^th in Boston, Massachusetts. Team Maryland will play for the Southeast District Championship March 11^th vs. the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes, March 12^th vs. Pioneer AAA Hockey Club, and the Finals will be held on March 14^th. All games will be played at Team Maryland’s home Arena in Rockville, Maryland. The winner of the Southeast Districts will advance to USA Hockey Nationals held in Chicago, Illinois the second week of April.