Ice Hockey: IAC Rematch Goes Landon's Way

For the second time in less than a week, No. 1 Landon and No. 6 St. Albans met on the ice, this time at Fort DuPont in the District. But this game was much closer than last Wednesday's 7-1 Landon win. The top-ranked Bears got a goal three minutes into the final period from freshman David Lachner to open up a two-goal lead, held off a pesky Bulldogs rally spearheaded by Eric Sade's goal with 70 seconds to play, and triumphed, 4-3.

Landon led 3-0 in the second period on goals by Graham Shue, Will Joyce and Nick Malone, but St. Albans fought back to within 3-2 later in the period with goals from Sean Heaslip and Will Stabler.

Early in the third, Lachner made the play of the game. He split two St. Albans defenders, and then while falling down roofed a shot over the shoulder of St. Albans goalie Chris Smith to make 4-2. Smith had 30 saves in the game, while Landon goalie Connor Jones had 15.

With just over a minute left, St. Albans' Austin Palmer fed Sade for a goal to pull within, 4-3, leading to a frenetic finish in which St. Albans pulled its goalie and got off several shots on Jones. But the senior netminder was up to the task and preserved the win.

Landon (16-2-2) wraps up its season against Good Counsel on Friday, while St. Albans (10-7-2) hosts Baltimore's Mount St. Joseph on Thursday to end its season. The IAC tournament begins next Wednesday, followed by the Mid-Atlantic Prep Hockey League playoffs on Feb. 15