Navy honor teammate, host SPartans

Helmet icon worn by Naval Academy hockey players

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland – On Sunday, November 27, Jason Jablonski, a senior midshipman on Navy’s hockey team passed away due to complications from a battle with leukemia. On Friday night, the Navy Midshipmen and the Michigan State University Spartans honored Midshipman 1st Class Jablonski with a moment of silence. Each team also wore a sticker on their helmets honoring Jason.

A quote from Navy’s coach Michael Fox in the evenings program said, “I thought the world of Jason. I often bounced things off him regarding the team. He was always levelheaded and very observant on and off the ice. I will always have a special place in my heart for him. It is times like these that we have to be stronger and support each other. This weekend we will honor Jason by giving 100% as he did, on and off the ice. We will dedicate those efforts to him”

The game started quickly with end to end action. However, neither team could get on the scoreboard as Navy outshot MSU 14-5. The period included just two penalties on the score sheet, one to each team

The first six minutes of the 2nd period saw a flurry of activity as the Spartans jumped out to a 2-0 lead, followed quickly by Navy tying the game up. With 18:41 left in the period, MSU got on the board with a goal by Jack Tobiczyk with the assist going to Conor Lynch.

Helmet icon worn by Spartan hockey players

One minute and sixteen seconds later, Jacob Peacock scored with an assists from Alexander Sauchak and Cameron Brantz. With 15:42 left, it was Navy’s turn to get on the board with a goal from John Scaccia, assists to Alexander Vandenberg and Matt Mcvickers. While the goal was being scored, a penalty was being called on MSU, allowing Navy to again score with 14:37 left. The goal was scored by Anthony Capuano, with assists from Matthew Harrigan and Alexander Vandenberg.

The Spartans were able to regain the lead with 7:53 left with an unassisted goal by Andrew Rosa. MSU went up by 2 with a power play goal from Andrew Patzin. Navy continued its lead in shots on goal by a 25-17 tally after 2 periods.

With time winding down and only 1:46 left in regulation, Navy’s Anthony Capuano scored his second goal of the evening with assists from Jack O Hear and Matthew Harrigan.

Navy then pulled goalie James O’Halloran, but MSU got an empty net goal from Nick Jones, assist to Alexander Sauchak with 56 seconds remaining. The game would end with the Spartans winning 5-3, behind a 36-save effort from MSU goalie Grant Luzynski.

On Saturday night, the Jablonski family were on hand at McMullen arena for the rematch with MSU.

Pro Hockey News would like to extend our sincere condolences to the Jablonski family, the Navy hockey family and the entire Naval Academy family.