The Parkland ice hockey team has taken the ice 12 times this season. And 12 times it has come away with victory, all largely in the same fashion.

Last Monday at Lehigh Valley Ice Arena, Freedom was Parkland’s latest victim. The Trojans (12-0) stayed unbeaten with a dominant 6-1 victory over the Patriots (4-5-3). The way Parkland won on Monday-in convincing fashion-is how it has been all season long.

“It’s huge to get this win against a tough team that’s fighting for a playoff spot,” said junior Tim Doe, responsible for Parkland’s first goal. “And to keep the momentum going into our next game against Southern Lehigh, who will be ready to play as they fight to remain in the playoff picture.”

And with roughly a month left in the regular season, it looks as if the Trojans have already locked up home ice and the top seed in the Lehigh Valley Scholastic Hockey League.

“I believe we have clinched the top seed for playoffs already,” Doe said. “That’s big because securing home ice advantage throughout the playoffs will be especially important in closer games. It means a lot to us as a team given how hard we’ve worked since September and every step of the way.”

The Trojans’ first goal, from Doe, came not even two minutes into ice time. His team-high 12th goal was a rip top shelf into the right side of the net. Not even five minutes later, Jason Dratch added his 11th of the season.

“Scoring the first goal is really a goal that every team has going into every game,” Doe said. “The first goal will set the pace for the rest of the game. Locking down that first momentum swing is huge.”

Momentum certainly swung to Parkland’s side, and the Trojans never let it go. The league’s leader in points scored, Jake Nimeh (34 points) gave Parkland a quick 3-0 lead with 4:30 remaining in the opening period.

The Trojans’ lead grew to 4-0 when they converted on a power play goal from Jacob Kozden. And the defense, anchored by Matthew Yankanich’s 15 saves on 16 Freedom shots, kept the Patriots at bay.

Parkland is the clear favorite to win the LVSHL. But if it wishes to be a contender beyond that point and into the Flyers Cup, it’s defense will have to be a main focus moving forward.

Along with Doe, Andrew Lessig, August Schwartz, Jake Folland, John McCauley and Koby Staivecki have been key contributors on that end of the ice. Lessig, Schwartz and Folland have also been playing a big role on offense due to some unexpected injuries.

“As the season goes on when the games get tougher and more important going into the playoffs, defense is everything,” Doe said. “Games will be won or lost with defense.”

“We really would like to continue to strengthen our team defense going into the postseason, as defense gets more and more vital to our success.”

Parkland’s next game is on Monday against Southern Lehigh. Puck will drop at 7:45 p.m. at Lehigh Valley Ice Arena.