Before an overflow record crowd at the Columbia Ice Rink, the Howard Huskies 18U team captured the Maryland State Tier II AA championship on Sunday with a 3-2 win over the Tri City Eagles.

The immense throng  of hockey fans waited patiently for over an hour for the start of the game, when due to a scheduling snafu the referees did not arrive until just before 11 a.m..  The Huskies scored halfway through the first period on a power play goal by Wes Crofoot to jump start the home team.  However, the Eagles tied it up quickly and the teams went to intermission knotted at one a piece when they knocked in a PP goal of their own to take the 2-1 lead early in the second frame, but the Huskies converted a classic two on one break into a beautiful goal by utility winger Noah Kowalczyk to tie it up.   Shortly thereafter Crofoot again on the power play ripped a bar down shot in for his 2nd of the game to give the home squad a 3-2 lead after two periods.

The building was rattling throughout the third period which saw numerous chances at both ends and some spectacular netminding by Huskies goaler Ben Algatt.  Howard went on the power play with exactly 2 minutes remaining and were able to ride out the period en route to the win and the state championship.

With the win the Huskies will travel to Irvine, CA for the USA Hockey Nationals tournament April 1 thru 6.