The Woodlands Defeats Austin Capitals 3-1, Remains Atop High School Ice Hockey Standings

Kai Austin scores twice as The Woodlands improves to 4-0-1 ahead of Friday's ISHL matchup with Ridge Point.

Monday, Oct. 19, 2026 | Game played Sunday, Oct. 18, at 10:15 a.m.

SUGAR LAND, Texas — The Woodlands defeated the Austin Capitals 3-1 on Sunday, Oct. 18, at Sugar Land Ice and Sports Center, outshooting its opponent 38-10 and maintaining its position atop the Interscholastic Hockey League varsity standings.

The victory improved The Woodlands to 4-0-1 with nine points through five games. Although Strake Jesuit and Ridge Point also have nine points, The Woodlands holds the No. 1 position in the 11-team league standings.

The Woodlands ice hockey program brings together top high school hockey players from South Montgomery County and surrounding communities. Unlike traditional UIL school teams, its roster includes student-athletes representing multiple high schools rather than a single campus.

Kai Austin, a student at The Woodlands High School, scored twice in Sunday's victory, while Ethan Bezan of Kingwood High School added a goal. Klein Oak High School goaltender Owen Lewis made nine saves on 10 shots.

The Woodlands Takes Control in Second Period

After a scoreless opening period, The Woodlands took control in the second, scoring twice while holding Austin to just four shots on goal.

Kai Austin opened the scoring with an assist from Evan Bezan. Ethan Bezan added the second goal, assisted by Thatcher Kennedy and Benjamin Aures, giving The Woodlands a 2-0 lead entering the final period.

The Capitals got on the scoreboard in the third when Zachary Santos scored with an assist from David Nitzan. Austin answered with his second goal of the game, assisted by Kennedy, to secure the 3-1 victory.

The shot totals tell much of the story. The Woodlands held a 10-3 advantage in the first period, 19-4 in the second and 9-3 in the third.

That kind of sustained offensive pressure is difficult to overcome. The Woodlands generated nearly four shots for every one taken by Austin, giving itself considerably more scoring opportunities throughout the game.

Capitals goaltender Nico Larsen deserves recognition for keeping the score close. He stopped 35 of 38 shots, preventing a game dominated by The Woodlands' offense from becoming a much more lopsided result.

Lewis, meanwhile, played all 45 minutes in goal for The Woodlands, allowing just one goal.

The Woodlands was assessed 26 penalty minutes, including misconduct penalties against Sawyer Farbe and Thatcher Kennedy. Austin was assessed four penalty minutes. All four goals were scored at even strength.

The penalty disparity is one area The Woodlands should address. While the team overcame those penalties against Austin, giving stronger opponents additional opportunities through unnecessary infractions could prove costly as the season progresses.

First Place, but Little Room for Separation

The Woodlands sits atop the ISHL varsity standings with a 4-0-1 record, but its position is far from secure.

Strake Jesuit and Ridge Point also have nine points, leaving three teams tied in the points column. The Woodlands holds the top position based on the league's standings criteria.

Through five games, The Woodlands has scored 25 goals while allowing just seven, giving the team a plus-18 goal differential.

That defensive record may be the most encouraging statistic of the young season.

The Woodlands is averaging five goals per game while allowing just 1.4. Scoring at that pace is impressive, but consistently limiting opponents to one or two goals provides a foundation for winning close games against tougher competition.

Sunday's performance also demonstrated the team's ability to generate scoring opportunities without relying on a single player. Although Austin accounted for two of the three goals, five Woodlands players contributed at least one goal or assist.

Still, the Capitals entered the game without a victory, and The Woodlands was expected to win. The significance of Sunday's result lies less in defeating a winless opponent and more in how thoroughly The Woodlands controlled play.

A 38-10 shot advantage suggests a team capable of maintaining offensive pressure while limiting its opponent's opportunities. The question now is whether The Woodlands can produce a similar performance against another contender.

Up Next: A Test Against Ridge Point

The Woodlands returns to the ice Friday, Oct. 23, against Ridge Point at 8:30 p.m., in a matchup between two of the ISHL's top three varsity teams.

Both teams enter the contest with identical 4-0-1 records and nine points.

Ridge Point, currently third in the standings, leads the league with 28 goals scored. The Woodlands has scored 25.

The more revealing difference is on defense. The Woodlands has allowed seven goals through five games, compared with 13 surrendered by Ridge Point.

On paper, that gives The Woodlands an advantage. Both teams have demonstrated they can score, but The Woodlands has been considerably more effective at keeping opponents off the scoreboard.

Friday's matchup should provide a better measure of just how strong this Woodlands team is.

A victory would not settle the league race this early in the season, particularly with Strake Jesuit also tied at nine points. It would, however, give The Woodlands an important result against a direct competitor near the top of the standings.

The Woodlands has demonstrated it can beat the teams it should beat. Friday offers an opportunity to show it can beat one of the teams competing with it for first place.

By The Woodlands Student Center Staff