COLMAR -- When Daniel Alexander '25 scored to give Germantown Academy a 6-2 lead over Episcopal Academy with 3:33 to play in the second period of the Independence Hockey League Semifinals, it appeared as if the Patriots were poised to take control of the game for good. However, with 4:37 to play in the contest the Churchmen tied the game and eventually scored the game-winning goal with 1:11 to play.

The 8-7 loss not only ends Germantown Academy's season, but also puts an end to the Patriots' four-year run as IHL Champions. 

Walker Schwartz '23 opened the scoring for GA just 18 seconds into the contest, but the Churchmen were able to get the goal back one minute later. Richie Podulka '24 put the Patriots ahead, 2-1, with 5:25 to play in the first. Shane Tronoski '24 opened the second period with a goal, followed by a score from Alexander to give the Patriots a 4-1 advantage. EA answered to make it 4-2, but goals from Colin Rink '24 and Alexander within a minute of each other pushed the score to 6-2. 

From there, Episcopal started its comeback. Just 15 seconds after Alexander's goal, the Churchmen scored one of their own. With just under two minutes in the period, they took advantage of power play and scored again. EA ended its scoring run at the 24-second mark, bringing the score to 6-5.

After GA went down a player on a major penalty, Alexander scored his third goal of the game to give the Patriots some breathing room with 10:16 to go. However, the Churchmen were able to take advantage of the numbers and scored with 30 seconds left in the penalty. Two minutes later EA leveled the game, 7-7, before taking the lead with just over one minute to play. 

Germantown Academy finishes the season with a 9-4-1 overall record.