With the warmth of the spring rolling in, the ice hockey season at Oakdale is almost over. The team’s success this season was one to remember, as the Bears went an astounding 13-1 in the regular season, claiming their sixth Monocacy Valley Hockey League (MVHL) championship in the process.
The season kicked off with high expectations. Last year, the Bears went to the state semi finals, eventually losing to the Walter Johnson Wildcats. This motivated the team to come back better than ever.
“My goals were really high this season. First of all, MVHL Championship, the team by far did that. Personal goals, I’d say by far I’ve met them but it’s more of a team sport here, and my last goal was to win states this year,” Sophomore Gavin Timberlake shares.
“I like to see when my seniors are communicating with my younger players, and being good role models, and mentoring the younger players,” Coach Hugh McElroy states.
One of the defining moments of the season came early on, when the Bears faced off against their cross-town rivals, the Urbana Hawks. The match had fans on the edge of their seats; the Bears emerged victorious in a thrilling 1-0 regulation win, with star forward Kyle Metzler netting the game-winning goal. It was a win that set the tone for the rest of the season.
Senior Eli Corridon-Crum, a highly experienced player, now captain, with 11 years of experience, provided a glimpse into his journey from a freshman to a senior. Not only did he witness changes in his own mindset, but he also recognized the shift from relying on others to taking on a leadership role.
“Don’t overdo it because then It won’t be fun anymore, so the biggest thing to do is just to have fun because it’s high school, it’s meant to be fun,” stated Corridon-Crum as he emphasized the importance of balance for incoming freshmen, urging them not to overcommit and to prioritize having fun in the high school hockey experience.
As a captain, Corridon-Crum highlighted the motivation to improve despite limited ice time in a relaxed club team. The climax of his story was the jubilant locker room after winning the MVHL championship, marking a triumphant return of the Monocacy Cup.
“The fans really brought us out in that game, and there’s no energy that you could compare that game to, you can feel the energy between the periods or on the bench,” Timberlake describes.
“I think what we try to focus on all those things that we did throughout the season and when I say that, the positives, the things that we preach, the backcheck, the forecheck, and taking away the middle of the ice,” McElroy expressed.
The team went through intense games, changes, and commitment to get to where they are now. Despite the season ending, the Bears celebrated a successful campaign filled with victories, camaraderie, and the return of the Monocacy Cup.
