April 5, 2004 Fifteen Champions Crowned At 2004 USA Hockey National Championships COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Twelve boys and girls youth ice hockey teams claimed titles yesterday as the 2004 USA Hockey National Championships, presented by Easton, concluded in eight different cities throughout the United States. The twelve teams join three womens teams that earlier claimed USA Hockey National Championships on March 28. Overall, champions were crowned in Youth Tier I, Youth Tier II and Girls/Womens Divisions. Youth Tier I and Tier II Divisions included competition in 17-and-Under, 16-and-Under, 14-and-Under, and 12-and-Under age classifications. Girls age levels included 19-and-Under, 16-and-Under, 14-and-Under, and 12-and-Under, while womens teams competed in the Senior A, Senior B and Senior C categories. The women played March 26-28, while all other tournaments took place March 31-April 4. The Youth Tier I National Championships were hosted in Pittsburgh, Pa. (12-and-Under and 14-and-Under); West Chester, Pa. (16-and-Under); and Marquette, Mich. (17-and-Under). The Buffalo (N.Y.) Saints and Boston Jr. Bruins won their first-ever National Championship in the 16-and-Under and 17-and-Under categories, respectively. Honeybaked (Mich.) claimed its first 14-and-Under title since 1999 and Little Caesars (Mich.) took the 12-and-Under crown. Division Champion Runner-Up Score
12 & U Little Caesars (Mich.) Los Angeles Hockey Club 4-1
14 & U Honeybaked (Mich.) California Wave 3-2
16 & U Buffalo Saints Shattuck St. Marys (Minn.) 4-2
17 & U Boston Jr. Bruins Shattuck St. Marys (Minn.) 6-2 The Youth Tier II National Championships were held in Livonia, Mich. (12-and-Under); South Burlington, Vt. (14-and-Under); Ellenton, Fla. (16-and-Under); and Dallas, Texas. (17-and-Under). The Michigan Devils, Troy Sting and Eastside Falcons continued Michigans success in the National tournament and were awarded the 12-and-Under, 14-and-Under and 17-and-Under titles, respectively. Despite playing against the home team in the final game, the Jr. Ice Dogs (Calif.) defeated their host to capture the 16-and-Under National Championship. Division Champion Runner-Up Score
12 & U Michigan Devils Philadelphia Jr. Phantoms 8-3
14 & U Troy Sting (Mich.) San Jose Jr. Sharks 6-1
16 & U Jr. Ice Dogs (Calif.) Ellenton Eels (Fla.) 7-3
17 & U Eastside Falcons (Mich.) Quincy Midget As (Mass.) 4-3
Girls and Womens National Championship action took place in Rochester, N.Y. as Assabet Valley (Mass.) continued its historical success with a fourth National Championship in five years in the 12-and-Under category and one other in the new 14-and-Under classification. After a four-year drought, the Connecticut Polar Bears captured the 19-and-Under championship. The Syracuse Stars earned the girls 16-and-Under title. On March 28 the Blue Js (Minn.) reclaimed the Senior A National Championship after a year-long absence, while the Buffalo (N.Y.) Saints and Varsity Graphics (Mich.) earned their first-ever Senior B and Senior C titles, respectively. Division Champion Runner-Up Score
12 & U Assabet Valley (Mass.) California Selects 5-2
14 & U Assabet Valley (Mass.) Honeybaked (Mich.) 6-0
16 & U Syracuse Stars (N.Y.) Honeybaked (Mich.) 3-1
19 & U Connecticut Polar Bears Assabet Valley (Mass.) 4-0
Senior A Blue Js (Minn.) Assabet Valley (Mass.) 3-0
Senior B Buffalo Saints OLeary Hawks (Mich.) 3-0
Senior C Varsity Graphics (Mich.) Utah Storm 5-1 |