Howell blasts Fort Zumwalt East 8-0

While a light rain fell outside of the St. Peters Rec-Plex Monday night, a flood of goals was taking place inside. The Francis Howell Vikings offense dominated the visiting Lions of Fort Zumwalt East 8-0.

A well-balanced scoring attack, that has become a hallmark for the Vikings offense in 2025, overwhelmed FZ East, while the stingy Howell defense shut down their opponents, allowing just 10 shots on goal.

Junior forward Will Peterson opened the scoring for Francis Howell taking a Charlie Jackson pass to put Howell ahead with 11:09 left in the first period. The game-winning goal would be the first of two for the junior.

With 8:26 left in the first period, junior Brayden Brandhorst netted his third goal of the season, assisted by Peterson and it was 2-0 Howell.

Junior Charlie Jackson added his name to the tally sheet just over five minutes later, assisted by Brandhorst with 3:07 left in the first, pushing the Vikings lead to 3-0.

The second period saw Francis Howell continue with its offensive pressure. Senior Captain Riley Wright added a power play goal with 4:09 gone in the period pushing the Howell advantage to 4-0. Freshman Mason Land and Brandhorst added assists.

Senior Danny Del Vecchio, assisted by Mason Land make it 5-0 Howell as he fired a wrist shot past the East goaltender with just 1:07 left in the second period, but the Vikings weren't done yet.

Senior Keanean Bahm scored his first goal of the season with just :14 seconds left in the period. Bahm, assisted by Junior Michael Land and Peterson, ripped a wrist shot through the goaltender and it was 6-0 Francis Howell.

The third period looked a lot like the first two for the Vikings. Peterson picked up his second goal of the season with 12:45 left in the final period. Brandhorst and Jackson assisting.

The game’s final score was an unassisted goal from Senior Assistant Captain Caleb Bridges. He picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone and let a wrist shot go just across the blue line for the 8th and final Howell tally.

While the offense was on display for the Viking tonight, it was another solid defensive effort by the Vikings that really set the tone for the game. Senior goaltender Easton Bristow turned away all 10 shots he faced, and the Vikings never were challenged in their defensive end due aggressive back checking and solid puck movement by Howell's defensive core.

Francis Howell (6-0-0) will play it's third game in five days as they take on the Clayton Greyhounds (3-2-1) Wednesday evening the Barn at Centenne Ice Center in Maryland Heights. Game time is 7:15 pm.