The Bobcats hockey team was looking to gain some momentum heading into the new year with some much needed wins in order to keep their hopes of a second consecutive playoff appearance alive.

December 12 the Icecats returned home to host tough division opponent Montour. But the Spartans proved to be too much for the Bobcats to handle as they fell 7-0.

Next in line to face the Beaver Area was Wheeling Catholic—another team currently hold inga playoff spot. After a scoreless first period, the Bobcats were able to take a 3-1 lead in the second period with goals from seniors Zack Masters, Aidan Natali, and Trevor Schmidt.

In the third period Wheeling Catholic was able to answer back with two goals of their own to send the game to overtime tied 3-3.

Less than a minute into overtime Bobcat freshman Sammy Mecchia was able to find the back of the net giving Beaver Area the 4-3 win in overtime.

After securing a win in their final game of 2024, the Bobcats looked to start 2025 by knocking off their rivals Blackhawk January 2. (Both Beaver Area and Blackhawk share Brady’s Run Ice Arena as their home ice.)

In an intense game that had both teams rack up eight penalties each, the Cougars jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first period. That lead would soon evaporate as the Bobcats shortly into the second period scored twice to tie the game 2-2 with goals by Mecchia and sophomore Colin Justice.

Late in the third period the Bobcats penalties added up and had them trying to kill off a 5 on 3 power play for Blackhawk. The pressure created by the Cougars was too much to handle and Blackhawk was able to score what would be the game winning goal on the power play to win a tight 3-2 game.

“We were so close to pulling off that win against Blackhawk which would have felt great. We can beat them when we play them again,” said freshman Killian Whitworth.

The Bobcats next home game is against Westmont Hilltop January 16 at the Brady’s Run Ice Arena at 8:50 p.m. See you there.