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It was fitting for Kara Violette to score the game-winning goal for Assabet Valley’s 12 & Under girls hockey team in the USA Hockey national championship game Sunday at Ice Line in West Chester, Pa.

Stephanie Lemieux’s goal with 51.8 seconds remaining in regulation sent the 12 & Under championship game to overtime and eventually a remarkable eight overtimes. The daughter of the NHL star Mario Lemieux is used to the big hockey moments and big questions that come with the name Lemieux.

Most of the coaches and players from the Anaheim Lady Ducks 12 and 14 & Under teams arrived in West Chester in plenty of time for Wednesday’s opening round. But several players had a harrowing trip from the West Coast, making the 9:30 a.m. ET start especially difficult for the 12 & Under squad.

Team Pittsburgh certainly handled its nerves and tension well enough in Mid-American District play, rolling to a 6-1 victory over the Ohio Flames to earn a spot at nationals. The hero that day was Christina Zalewski, who recorded assists on three of the first five goals before finding the net herself as time wound down.

Brooke Ahbe, truly didn’t know if she was coming or going. Actually, she was doing both. Ahbe played for two teams, two genders in two states and all for the love of hockey.

Team Pittsburgh rolled to a 6-1 victory over the Ohio Flames in Mid-American District 12 & Under final and earned a spot at the 2008 National Championships.

The Chicago Mission 12 & Under team scored two goals in 65 seconds to defeat the Heartland Cyclones 3-1 in the championship game and qualify for the USA Hockey National Tournament in West Chester, Pa.

Assabet Valley secured yet another trip to the USA Hockey National Tournament with a convincing 4-0 victory over the East Coast Wizards in the decisive contest of the Massachusetts District championship. Despite the loss, the Wizards will also make the trip to West Chester, Pa., for the National Tourney as a result of the district sending the top two clubs to the affair.

In the Rocky Mountain District Tournament 12-under championship, and for a berth in the national tournament, Colorado defeated Arizona 3-2 in overtime Sunday at the Alltel Ice Den in Scottsdale.