Ice Hockey: Cougars Win Second Consecutive Game

The Oakton High ice hockey team exploded for four goals in the first five minutes of their game Friday against the combined team from Centreville and Fairfax high schools to cruise to an 11-2 win in front of a large crowd at SkateQuest in Reston.

Oakton’s top line of seniors Trevor Herrinton, Sam Buck and Mason Hauser combined for eight of the 11 Oakton goals including a number of beautiful passing plays in the second period that put the game out of reach. Herrinton scored four goals, while Buck and Hauser added two apiece.

"We had a clear game plan tonight to work the puck around and we executed that plan perfectly," Oakton head coach John Alexa said.

After jumping to the 4-0 lead, Centreville/Fairfax made it interesting with two quick goals to cut the lead in half. But Oakton ended the first period with a picture perfect goal as Buck skated behind the net and fed Herrinton, who scored to put Oakton up 5-2.

The Cougars did an excellent job of shutting down Centreville/Fairfax’s high-scoring line of Nate Marks, Colin Woods and Nicky Grose, who were averaging a combined seven goals per game prior to this contest.

Oakton gave up 16 shots on goal, while Centreville/Fairfax’s goalie TJ Hollen weathered a relentless Cougar attack that combined for 54 shots in the game, including 21 shots in the first period alone.

Oakton sophomore Zac Kozero opened the scoring less than a minute into the game with a gorgeous breakaway goal and ended the night with two goals. Senior Joe Cochran also had a goal.

After starting the season with three close losses, Oakton won its second consecutive game by a big margin and is starting to resemble the team that made a deep run into the Northern Virginia Scholastic Hockey League playoffs last year. 

"It was an inspired effort tonight," Alexa said. "I’ve been waiting all season for this, and I knew this team had the talent."

The Cougars now get some rest until after the holidays when they'll face a talented McLean team Jan. 6 at SkateQuest.

-Bob Sandler contributed this article