Junior Minors Win CHA Championship!2008-03-16
The Junior Minors have been ranked in First Place all season in the CHA. This weekend, after winning the Championship in the 2008 CHA Junior Minor Playoffs, they sealed their destiny and are going to the USA Junior Hockey Nationals! Playing four games in three days (including the Championship Game), the East Coast Eagles Junior Minors faced their first real "test" of the season - they had to work very hard to come back from a loss and prove their First Place position was deserved.
In the end, the Junior Minors proved themselves to be one of the top Junior Minor teams in the country. Coach Paul Hinrichs has been quick to point out all season, "Every single kid on the Junior Minors has contributed to our success." He truly believes that the hard work, focus, and determination by each and every member of this team was crucial in reaching Nationals.
Friday, March 14th vs. Binghamton Senators: 9-2
The Junior Minors arrived Friday ready to play at the Blade Runner Ice Complex. Their energy was focused on beating the Binghamton Senators, and they easily handled the game. Patrick Becker and Michael Mason had 5 points each (each 2G, 3A); other goals by Storm Tremont, Jeremy Eiland, Jeremy Bost, Josh Stingley, and Greg Walton helped seal the win. Stewart Wise faced 30 shots, while the Eagles offense peppered the Senators’ goalies with 43 shots.
Saturday, March 15th vs. Buffalo Stars: 4-3
The Eagles were handed their only defeat of the weekend (and their third defeat of the entire season) on Saturday morning. In a close fought, back-and-forth battle, goals were scored by Jeremy Eiland, Vinnie D’Andrea, and Storm Tremont. In the end, despite the Eagles generating 43 shots on goal, the Buffalo Stars won by a single point. As they left the ice, the Junior Minors were hoping they would have one more chance to face the Stars - in their minds, the battle was not over. As it turned out, they would face them in the Championship.
Saturday, March 15th vs. Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins: 9-3
The Junior Penguins took the ice and faced the wrath of the Junior Minors, who were still smarting from their loss earlier in the day. Storm Tremont had 4 goals in the second period; Jeremy Eiland had 2 Goals and 4 Assists; and other goals were scored by Kyle Charron, Vinnie D’Andrea, and Kellen Kromm. As always when playing the Junior Penguins, it was a very physical game. However, the focus and determination of the Junior Minors helped them dominate this game.
Sunday, March 16th: The Championship Game
Junior Minors vs. Buffalo Stars: 8-4
In the hardest fought game of the weekend, the Junior Minors played with both physical strength and a lot of heart. While ending the First Period with a 4-1 lead (goals by Murray, Steffan, Becker, and Eiland), the Eagles knew the last two periods would be a challenge. The Buffalo Stars had shown what they were made of a day earlier, and they would not go down without a fight. In the early 3rd period, the game was tied 4-4. It was a physical game, with many penalties on both sides. However, George Boukas used his well-known speed to score a short-handed goal, and Kyle Charron followed three minutes later with a power-play goal. Greg Walton sealed the game by exploding at the end with two goals (including one short-handed).
Following the game, the Junior Minors were presented with the Championship Trophy.Congratulations to Jeremy Eiland who received the Tournament MVP award, as well as the Dave Tyler award (presented to a player who best demonstrates good sportsmanship and commitment to the game).
On a Personal Note...The Junior Minors dedicated their Championship Game this weekend to player Matt Wrightson, who was unable to travel with the team. Our thoughts and prayers are with Matt and the entire Wrightson family, as Matt’s father, Doug, recovers from his accident.
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