The Los Angeles Jr. Kings’ 12U A1 team celebrated the Southern California Amateur Hockey Association (SCAHA) championship in its division after its 5-3 triumph over the California Heat in the title game, which was contested yesterday (March 24) at Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo.

In the SCAHA championship game of the 14U A division, the Jr. Kings, led by head coach Tony Rudy, fell to Gold Rush Hockey Club 1, 4-3.

In the 12U A finale, forward Finn Kawalec registered a hat trick, including the game-winning marker in the third period, and forwards William Schnorr and Nick Cortez added the other Jr. Kings goals. Defenseman Jackson Jurkowski picked up two assists.

Between the pipes, goaltender Matt Leon turned aside 23 shots.

“What an amazing team effort from top to bottom - and not just during our playoff run, but the entire season,” said Jr. Kings head coach Jeff Bain, who’s assisted behind the bench by Jack Strommen. “These kids and their families have worked so hard since September, on and off the ice, and to be crowned SCAHA champions is a well-deserved honor to say the least.”

Other members of the squad, which finished the SCAHA regular season with a 12-1-2 record, include: forwards Kai Bara, Keirstyn Camiolo, Don Graham, Sam Houston, Stepan Kirilenko and Caoilin Thomason; defensemen Lincoln Brown, Andrew Goslin, Jack Green, Ethan Klapper and Jay Montgomery; and goaltender Jake Miller.

Kara Camiolo is the team’s manager.

Both the Jr. Kings’ 12U A1 and 14U A teams have advanced to the California Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) A/BB/B State Championships, which will be showcased next weekend (March 29-31) at Sharks Ice-San Jose.

“Obviously, we know we’re going to run into more strong competition at states, but our kids will be ready to go,” Bain added. “They’re excited for the opportunity and I have no doubt they’ll play with tons of heart and, most importantly, for each other like they have all year long.”