Wootton puts B-CC on ice

Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008

Wootton puts B-CC on ice

In ice hockey battle of unbeatens, Patriots prevail

by John Y. Wehmueller | Staff Writer

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The Wootton ice hockey team overcame an early two-goal deficit Friday night, edging Bethesda-Chevy Chase, 3-2, in a battle of the county’s two remaining unbeaten teams.

Chris Puderbaugh brought Wootton (7-0) level with the team’s first two goals, setting up Scott Futrovsky’s game-winner in the third period. Futrovsky picked up the puck out wide and cut across to the middle, sending a shot past B-CC (6-1) senior Ryan Haughey.

‘‘It was a good, hard-working goal,” Wootton coach Dave Evans said. ‘‘He got his nose dirty. With our depth on the bench, we wanted our guys to be more physical, to exact a toll on them. We didn’t do that enough early.”

B-CC jumped out to its lead courtesy of goals by Kerry Goebel and Paul Steinitz. Michael Kunza, Leigham MacWilliam and Ben Pounds each added an assist. Evans said the lead could have been even bigger, with Wootton killing off a four-minute double minor penalty when they were already down two goals.

‘‘The two or three things we talked about before the game couldn’t happen, happened,” Evans said. ‘‘But the guys stuck together and showed a lot of poise and composure. ... We knew if we could get it tied, we had a good chance. But you go down 2-0 with Ryan in the other net, you start worrying that you’ve got to get something in right here.”

Wootton outshot B-CC, 15-2 in the second period and 34-16 for the game. Haughey’s 31 saves included one on a penalty shot. In the other net, Chris Hogan made 14 saves for Wootton. Steven Rubin, Andrew Stein, Josh Bretner and P.J. Hall all had assists on Wootton’s goals.

With three games remaining in its regular season, Wootton has now clinched a place in the four-team regional playoffs and has the inside track to the top seed. B-CC and Whitman (6-1-1) would each clinch berths with one more win, while Churchill (3-3-1), Walter Johnson (3-3-1) and Magruder (2-3-1) battle it out for the final spot.

Wootton plays Northwest⁄Germantown Monday, then closes the season with Friday night games against Springbrook⁄Einstein and rival Churchill. B-CC plays Richard Montgomery Friday and Sherwood Monday, before ending the regular campaign against Gaithersburg.