13U, 12U, 11U squads celebrate Tier I state titles
With the championships - coupled with the CAHA state titles won last month by the Jr. Kings at the 18U AAA, 16U AAA, 15U AAA and Bantam Major 03 levels - the organization staked claim to the unprecedented feat of winning every age division at the event in a single season.
The Los Angeles Jr. Kings’ Bantam Minor (13U) and Pee Wee Major (12U) and Minor (11U) teams all celebrated titles in their respective divisions at this year’s California Amateur Hockey Association Tier I State Championships, which were showcased from March 2-4 The Rinks-Lakewood and -Westminster Ice.
With the championships - coupled with the Jr. Kings' state titles won last month at the 18U AAA, 16U AAA, 15U AAA and Bantam Major 03 levels - the organization staked claim to the unprecedented feat of winning every age division at the event in a single season.
Led by head coach Shawn Pitcher, the Bantam Minor 04 team forged at 3-1 record at states, including a 2-1 double-overtime victory over the Anaheim Jr. Ducks in Sunday’s championship game.
The Bantams opened their weekend with a 3-2 triumph over the San Jose Jr. Sharks on Friday before falling to the Jr. Ducks, 3-1. They downed the Jr. Sharks again on Saturday, 6-0, before their title-game rematch against Anaheim.
The Jr. Kings’ Pee Wee Major 05 team, coached by Nick Vachon, put together a 4-1 mark in its division, including a 4-1 triumph over the Jr. Ducks in the finale.
On Friday, L.A. opened states with a 4-3 loss to the Jr. Sharks before rebounding for its first of three wins over Anaheim, 5-1. The club exacted revenge over San Jose on Saturday with a 3-2 victory before knocking off the Jr. Ducks again, 3-2, leading up to Sunday’s championship game.
The Jr. Kings’ Pee Wee Minor 06 squad, led by Jeremy Daughaday, finished with a 3-2 record at states, including a 4-1 triumph over the Jr. Ducks in the deciding contest.
L.A. opened the weekend on Friday with a 7-1 win over San Jose followed by a 3-2 loss to Anaheim. On Saturday, the club downed the Jr. Sharks again, 5-1, before falling to the Jr. Ducks in the teams' second meeting, 4-3, setting up its finale against Anaheim.
States marks the end of the season for the Bantam Minor and Pee Wee Major and Minor squads; the Jr. Kings' 18U AAA, 16U AAA, 15U AAA and Bantam Major 03 teams advanced to this year’s Pacific District Championships, which will be showcased from March 8-11 at Solar4America Ice at San Jose, to play for the right to compete in April’s USA Hockey National Championships.
