The Parkland High School ice hockey team was looking for a brighter 2022 portion of its schedule. The Trojans went 4-5-1 overall during 2021 and needed a stretch of good fortune when the calendar turned.

That started with a victory in their first game of the new year, taking down Phillipsburg back on Jan. 7. After a week off from competition, Parkland was back on the ice and back to winning games, defeating Northampton’s Orange team 5-0 last Friday night in Lehigh Valley Scholastic Ice Hockey League action at the Lehigh Valley Ice Arena.

The Trojans sit in sixth place with 11 points, six points shy of a top-four spot and a playoff position.

“This season has been a grind from the very beginning,” said Parkland head coach Chad Loomis. “There are seven strong teams competing for four spots. Our goal has always been to make the postseason and then reevaluate. We’re heading into the final few games knowing we need wins. Everyone is going to have to play their best hockey and we will be counting on our seniors on this final stretch of crucial games.”

Against the Kids, Parkland did all of its scoring in the second and third periods. Following a scoreless opening period, Josh Bower broke the deadlock with back-to-back goals in the frame to give his team the advantage.

“Those goals by Josh were important because you always want to score first and be ahead,” Loomis said. “He worked hard to give us the lead and then double it up to give us a cushion.”

Justin Ost, Hunter Dolon and Joerick Fuentes each found the back of the net in the third period to add on to the scoring. Nate Torres finished with 18 saves in net for Parkland, which was outshot 25-18 overall, but made their chance on goal count.

Parkland finishes off the regular season with four games in a span of eight days, beginning with the first of two meetings with Southern Lehigh on Monday night back at the LV Ice Arena. The Trojans then face Northampton Black that Friday night before playing back-to-back nights against Southern Lehigh and Emmaus on Sunday and Monday.