The varsity hockey team started out the season strong with a 6-2 win against Walt Whitman at the Rockville Ice Rink. The Patriots started the game off slow trailing 0-2 early, but with the help of the crowd, they came back to tie it up and from there on, it was all Patriots.

Junior Daniel Tomashevsky helped lead the way with two goals and three assists on the offensive side of the rink, and goalie Riley Jordan came up big with nine saves on 11 shots to secure the win and start the season 1-0.

Sophomore Scotty Collinson was determined to get back on the ice after an unfortunate finish to last year’s season. The varsity team ended last year falling short to Churchill 5-4. Collinson helped the team make it to states but didn’t come home with the prize they were out for. “It was a hard ending for the boys, but this year we have more intensity to go out and win states,” Collinson said.

Junior Nick Billingsley played a role in the game, grabbing two points with a goal and an assist. Billingsley joined the team last year and played a nice role in the seven games he played. Billingsley had six points in seven games with three goals and three assists. “I want my role to improve on this team, and l had a good season last year, but want to show the coaches that they can trust me with the puck,” Billingsley said.

Sophomore Julius Rubin helped the team last year on JV, and was called up to help and add depth to the varsity team. Rubin notched five points last season with one goal and four assists, but wants to help lead the team to states this year. “After losing to Churchill last year in the state final game, I realized that I need to step up my game,” Rubin said.

Sophomore Noah Weber has been playing hockey since he was little, and wants to continue playing through his high school career. Playing on JV last year gave him a taste of what it’s like playing against other schools on the high school level. “It gave me a good feel on how high school hockey worked and felt like to play in,” Weber said.

Sophomore Jack Parsons could feel the energy from the crowd of the student section and it motivated the team and him, to come out strong and win the game after slow start. “The crowd was crazy. Everyone on the bench felt the enthusiasm from the fans and it was a pretty sick feeling,” Parsons said.

On Oct. 31 hockey played Churchill and lost with a score of 3-2.