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Team Illinois is playing in the USA Hockey 16 & Under National Tournament in Buffalo, N.Y., after an undefeated weekend at the Central District Tournament March 14-15 in Vernon Hills.

Sure, they were excited to get the hardware, and they were ecstatic about going to the USA Hockey Tier I national tournament in Buffalo, N.Y. But when the ultimate goal is to be national champions, the U16 district title is merely a step in the process for the 16 & Under Colorado Thunderbirds.

The New Jersey Devils 16 & Under Tier I team is in Buffalo, N.Y., for the USA Hockey National Championships and takes with them a balanced scoring attack that shares the puck.

As Team Maryland enters the 2008 USA Hockey National Championships April 2-6 in Buffalo, N.Y., the lanky Jake Lynes is expected to play a huge role. He is one of the squad’s most versatile scorers while also serving as one of Maryland’s gutsiest players.

The Long Island Royals posted a 6-3 victory over Rochester and will now head to Buffalo, N.Y., to play in the 16 & Under Tier I National Tournament starting on April 2.

At the Extreme Ice Center in Indian Trail, N.C., Team Maryland held off the hard-charging South Florida Golden Wolves to post a 4-3 victory and claim the Southeastern District title.

The Colorado Thunderbirds and Pikes Peak Miners had played each other 11 times this season, so a 12^th meeting in the Rocky Mountain District 16 & Under District Tournament championship on Sunday in Centennial, Colo., didn’t have any mystery. Neither did the outcome. Sparked by four early goals, the Thunderbirds took the early lead and never looked back, beating the Miners 7-2 to advance to nationals in Buffalo, N.Y., April 2-6.

Team Illinois earned a 3-0 Central District championship win over Madison and its next stop is the USA Hockey National Tournament, set for April 2-6 in Buffalo, N.Y.

As has been the case for most of the season, the California Wave spent the weekend doing what they do best – winning games. After their 4-3 victory over the Anchorage North Stars on Sunday in the Pacific District 16 & Under championship game, the Wave finds itself headed to nationals starting April 2 in Buffalo, N.Y.