COLMAR -- Just one day handing Haverford School its first loss of the season in a thrilling 6-5 contest, Germantown Academy's ice hockey team was back in action. Hosting Academy of the New Church on Senior Day, the Patriots were once again locked in a close contest. 

Down a player with 7:34 to play in the final period and the score tied 4-4, Walker Schwartz '23 finished a pass from Daniel Alexander '25 to give the Patriots a lead that they would not surrender. Alexander tacked on another score with one minute to play to secure a 6-4 win. 

"I think we needed a spark, and we were a man down," Schwartz said. "Me and Daniel, I think we both knew it was our time."

GA got out to a hot start against the Lions, with Alexander scoring off a Richie Podulka '24 pass at the 6:10 mark in the first period. Schwartz tallied his first goal of the game two minutes later when he stole the puck off the stick of an ANC defender and slotted it home. Drew Schwartz '23 scored two minutes into the second period before Dominic Perazza '25 gave GA a 4-0 lead with 12:12 to play in the frame. However, ANC did not quit and tallied two goals within a minute of play to make it a 4-2 game. By the end of the period, the Lions had tallied another goal to go into the third trailing 4-3. 

Walker Schwartz and Podulka opened the third period with back-to-back shots, but they were handled easily by the ANC goaltender. Neither team was able to break through until under nine minutes to play, when GA went down a player. At 8:18 -- just 22 seconds into the power-play -- ANC tallied the tying score.

"It was a great start," Head Coach Matt Rominger said. "We got out to a nice early lead, but eased off the gas a little which might've let them back in the game. They played really hard, credit to this group and how resilient they are. On Senior Day, it's nice to have the seniors step up and be leaders in the way we expect them to be and know them to be."

ANC was back on a power play with 7:50 to go in the game, but this time GA was the team to benefit. Walker Schwartz and Alexander found the open ice, the sophomore centered the puck, and the senior finished the deal. The Patriots had more chances as the minutes ticked down, and finally sealed the game with a goal from Alexander with a minute to play. 

"I think everyone had tired legs a bit to start, but you have to bring that mental aspect of 'we need to win this game,'" Walker Schwartz said. "These are big games coming towards the playoffs and it's important to get W's."

The Patriots are 5-3-1 overall and 3-2-1 in Independence Hockey League play. They take on Devon Prep in a non-league matchup on Jan. 20 at PNY Sports Arena, before returning to IHL play on Jan. 24 against Springside Chestnut Hill Academy. 

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