Allen Koganov’22 maneuvers the ice after gathering a deflection. (Jenny L’Hommedieu’19/Media)
The Vikes aimed to break their three-game losses with a JV game against Westerville on Friday, February 1. The game began with three unanswered goals from Westerville to start the first period, with senior David Li pulling one back for Academy. Senior David Li scored in the second period, but in the last five minutes Westerville scored four more goals. Academy admitted defeat, letting in two more goals in the third, finishing the game at 9-2. The loss extended Academy’s streak to four in a row, but it had another chance to make it up against Olentangy Berlin, a first year team.
On February 2, the Vikes faced Olentangy Berlin at home. Senior Jacob Sardo scored in the first minute. Berlin fought back, holding the Vikings scoreless in an even first period. Sophomore Campbell Gwin scored quickly for the Vikes in the second period, doubling their lead. Similar to the first period, though, Berlin held the Vikes for the rest of the second, ending the period at 2-0, Vikings. To start the third period, Academy was awarded a four and a half minute power play. Freshman Andrew Zaki capitalized on the man-up situation with one minute left in the power play by scoring a goal for the Vikes. Three minutes later, Jake Carlin’22 extended the lead to four. Then Philip Soderberg’20 added one more to the total for the night with his first of the season. Finally, Connor Harris’22 scored, finishing the game at 6-0 and the losing streak at four.
On Sunday February 3, the Vikes faced Dublin Coffman in the Inaugural Battle of the Tabers. Corey Taber, the Vikings’ head coach and Justin Taber, Dublin Coffman’s head coach, faced off for their first time in their current positions. Both brothers were determined to win. Two minutes after the puck dropped, Coffman found the net, and seven minutes later, they found it once more. With five minutes left in the first period, Gwin scored, getting his second of the weekend. But Coffman responded with another goal 15 seconds later. The first period ended 3-1 in favor the Rocks. The Vikes came out in the second trying to cut down Coffman’s lead to one, and halfway through the period senior Gunnar Geiger scored his first of the weekend. For the first 13 minutes of the final period, it looked like the Vikes were close to a breakthrough. But with two minutes left, Coffman scored the final goal, securing victory for Justin Taber and his squad.
After an impressive first regular season as a varsity team, the Vikes will finish out the year with the CBJ cup next week.
