This weekend in Annapolis they’re lacing up the skates for Maryland hockey bragging rights.
Local college teams are hitting the ice for a tournament that’s been around for the last four decades.
It’s a two-day event for Maryland hockey supremacy.
“This tournament is all about bringing all the best teams from Maryland to one location for a showdown to see who is the best team,” said Towson goalie Jake Snyder.
The 41st annual Crab Pot Tournament is underway at the Naval Academy’s McMullen Arena.
“It’s something special for the state of Maryland. It allows all the local teams from down here and get together and showcase what Maryland hockey has to offer,” said Towson forward Matt Stella. “Obviously it’s not really a big hockey state. So, we’re just trying to bring awareness to everyone in the state of Maryland about this great tournament.”
The tourney is usually made up of four local teams. This year Towson, University of Maryland and Navy are the reps from Md. Wagner rounds out the field of four. The Tigers of Towson were last year’s Crab Pot Champs.
“We want to defend the title,” added Stella. “We only did have two seniors graduate from last year. So, it is pretty much a core group that was together from last year. Obviously it would be sweet to win again.”
“Navy has a banner in the one side of the rink that shows all the winners. You see Navy, Navy all these different times. To have Towson be in the rink showing that we won back-to-back years would mean a lot,” said Snyder.
The four squads aren’t NCAA sanctioned. They’re club teams. But don’t let that discourage you from coming out and catching a game or two.
“With three of the top teams in Maryland right now it’s going to bring good competition all around, especially since there’s no pro teams or minor league teams or anything in the state of Maryland,” said Towson defenseman Jeremy Snyder. “It’s some of the highest level of hockey in the state. So we hope there’s a good turnout for fans."
The schedule for the tournament is as follows:
Friday, Feb. 9:
5:30 p.m. - Towson vs. Maryland
8:30 p.m. - Navy vs. Wagner
Saturday, Feb. 10:
5:30 p.m. - Consolation game (losers from Friday)
8:30 p.m. - Crab Pot Championship (winners from Friday)
All games are played at McMullen Ice Arena.
Follow Shawn Stepner on Twitter @StepnerWMAR and Facebook
