Varsity Ice Hockey Wins MAPHL AA Ice Hockey Championship

“A magical group” is how Assistant Coach Ray Byrne ’96 described this year’s varsity ice hockey team. After ending last season with a loss to St. John’s College High School in the Mid-Atlantic Prep Hockey League (MAPHL) playoffs, the Gaels returned eight seniors and finished the regular season 15-3—capturing the top seed in the MIAA and securing the program’s 14th MIAA Championship with a 2-1 victory over Calvert Hall on Feb. 12 at Piney Orchard Ice Arena. 

The Gaels then set their sights on becoming the first Baltimore school since 2009 and the first-ever Mount Saint Joseph team to win the MAPHL Championship in the league’s 18-year history. After a pair of playoff wins against St. Paul VI (5-2) and Archbishop Spalding (3-2), the rematch was set—Mount Saint Joseph vs. St. John’s once again, this time for the championship on Feb. 26 at The Gardens Ice House. 

The Cadets struck first, scoring in the opening five minutes to take an early 1-0 lead that would go unanswered for the remainder of the period. But the Gaels came out of the first intermission with renewed energy. Just 40 seconds into the second period, Ty Byrne ’26 buried the equalizer to bring the Gaels back into the fight. St. John’s responded midway through the period, reclaiming the lead, 2-1. 

Skating 4-on-4 in the final seconds of the second period, the Gaels delivered a dramatic finish to the frame. Connor Shahady ’27 fired in the tying goal at the buzzer to send the Gaels into the third period with momentum and the score locked at 2-2. The tension built as the clock wound down. Finally, with 2:54 to go, the arena erupted when Eric Bieda ’27 found the back of the net, scoring what would stand as the game-winning goal. 

Nate Carr ’26 was named MIAA Player of the Year, and Jake Boarman ’26, Jackson Camden ’26, and Ryan Currie ’26 were also named to the All-MIAA team. Additionally, Ryan was named to the MAPHL AA First Team and Jackson was named to the MAPHL AA Second Team. Coach Mike Marley ’02 was named both MIAA and MAPHL AA Coach of the Year.