Dragons to Host Rival Howell

Throughout the Brick Dragons' 17-game winning streak, they've seen it all.

The last time the Dragons didn't win was over two months ago, in a tie with Wall Dec. 15. Since then, Brick has defeated defending state champions and perennial state powerhouses in routine fashion.

Still, their victory over Howell on Jan. 25 may very well have been their most impressive feat of the season. After falling behind on two seperate occassions, captain Patrick Kearns scored the game-winning goal with 55 seconds remaining in the game, lifting the Dragons to the big, 5-4 win.

Now, Brick will host the Rebels at Ocean Ice Palace with everything on the line and a bid to the Handchen Cup finals at stake.

Kearns, along with Matt Gumina, Tyler Martin and Brendan Dowd will look to stop the Rebels in the first trip through the Handchen Cup tournament after competing in the Dowd Cup for two seasons, winning it in 2009.

Andrew Reiss has had a strong freshman campaign and will need to work alongside David Kearns to try neutralize a strong and confident Rebels attack. Goalie Eddie Rafferty has been strong between the pipes all season, and sits atop the Shore Conference as one of its top goal tenders.

The teams will face off at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 22.