The Spitfires staved off a spirited Stars comeback, beating Mid Fairfield 4-2 on Sunday to capture the USA Hockey Tier II 16-U National Championship at Suburban Ice in East Lansing, Mich.

Bay State, which plays the Glenview Stars in the quarterfinals on Saturday, has outscored opponents 17-1, which included a lopsided 12-1 win over Team Pittsburgh on Wednesday.

Don’t call them a recreational program any longer. The Quarry Cats have hit the big time. The Little Falls, N.J.-based club that began back in 1999 won the Tier II 16 & Under division at the 2010 USA Hockey Atlantic District Tournament on March 21 at the Mennen Sports Arena in Morristown, N.J.