MAPHL 'Ship

On Friday February 22nd I attended the Mid-Atlantic Prep Hockey League Championship between the Gonzaga Purple Eagles and Calvert Hall Cardinals. Gonzaga won by a final score of 6-1 but that was not what I took from the game. Yes, the game was very good and there were many plays to marvel about throughout the game but what amazed me most was the crowd on hand.

(Photos courtesy of DCSportsFan.com)

About a half hour before the game, the lines to buy tickets filled the lobby of the ice rink and long before the teams took the ice, fans from both schools filled the arena. The stands were split between the yellow and red fans of Calvert Hall and Purple fans of Gonzaga. Throughout the pre-game ceremonies and warm-ups the student sections chanted, yelled, and shook the bleachers.

Never before have I seen a high school sporting event in this area fill a arena quite like this. Especially attending public school for most of my life, no games ever attracted attention like this. It was amazing to see the school pride on display from both sides throughout the game. My hopes are that in the future public schools catch on to the moving experience of school sporting events.

I realize that the crowd on hand was there to see the Championship game and the fact that Blair never reaches State Championships is depressing, but maybe one day, and if it comes, Blair better be ready.

A Sad Time of the Year

As we have reached mid-February with nothing more than a couple two-hour delays, I have come to the realization that another winter will pass with no snow. Also, winter coming to an end marks the end of the hockey season.

Last Thursday the Montgomery Blair hockey season came to a conclusion with a 8-1 playoff loss to the two-time defending state champion Washington County North Stars. It was an unfortunate end to a strong season for the Blazers.

In addition, my travel season most likely only has two weeks remaining. This weekend is the league playoffs and the following is the state championship series. Lossing in the state championship serious would in turn bring a conclusion to the season.

Another factor in the ending of hockey season is the coming of baseball season. With March 1st right around the corner the baseball team will hit the field first thing to start training for the soon to come season.

This time of year brings many changes to every day activities.

A recap of the Blazers final game of the year can be found here.