Indiana (18U) and Omaha (16U) crowned NAPHL Champions

Press Release

The NAPHL Championship series wrapped up on Monday with four Championship games (two Championship Gold and two Consolation Silver) being played at the Troy Sports Center as two new NAPHL Champions were crowned.  Here is a look at all the final day drama and action:

18U Gold Championship Game

Indiana 4 vs. Lansing 1 – The regular superstars that have been coming to play for Indiana this entire season showed they can shine on the brightest stage and helped the Ice capture their first ever 18U Championship as they defeated the Lansing Capitals, 4-1.  Drew Doyon, who helped guide the Indiana 16U team to the NAPHL Championship last season, had two goals in this year’s Championship game as he scored the first and third goals of the game.  Doyon gave Indiana a 1-0 lead in the 1^st period.  Ryan Murphy’s tally early in the 2^nd period made it 2-0.  Lansing would not roll over however, as they closed the gap to within 2-1 as Trenton Kulczyk scored a power play goal.  But, the wind came out of the Capitals sails less than a minute later as Doyon scored his second goal of the game to make it 3-1.  Joe Chitwood added a late 3^rd period goal to secure the win.  Chase Monroe was outstanding in goal for Indiana as he made 27 saves.  Monroe was in goal in last season’s 16U Championship game, in which he posted a shutout. Boxscore

Past NAPHL 18U Champions

2013-Indiana Jr. Ice

2012-California Titans

2011-DC Capitals

2010-California Titans

16U Gold Championship Game

Omaha 4 vs. Pittsburgh 2 – The Omaha AAA hockey club finally got the 16U crown that they had been seeking for almost two years as Christian Evers scored twice to pace Omaha to a 4-2 win.  Things were looking good for Pittsburgh early as midway through the 1^st period Mario Damasceno scored to give the Viper Stars a 1-0 lead in after one period.  However, just :36 seconds into the 2^nd period, Omaha started a string of four straight goals as Tarek Baker lit the lamp to tie the game at 1-1.  Evers then scored back-to-back goals to make it 3-1, with the first of the two coming on the power play.  Early in the 3^rd period a power play goal from Camden VanBrocklin made it 4-1.  Omaha goaltender Nathan Churchill made the lead hold the rest of the way as he made several sprawling saves.  An extra attacker goal from Anthony Franks made it 4-2 with just :09 seconds remaining and Omaha went on to capture their first NAPHL crown, posting a 26-1 record in the NAPHL regular season and playoffs. Boxscore

Past NAPHL 16U Champions

2013-Omaha AAA Hockey Club

2012-Indiana Jr. Ice

2011-Pikes Peak Miners

2010-Pikes Peak Miners

18U Silver Consolation Game

San Jose 3 vs. California 2 – Last year’s 18U Champion, California was bested by their neighbors from the North as the Jr. Sharks came back from a 2-1 deficit with two goals in the 2^nd period to win 3-2.  Alex Schwartz and Blake Brazil gave California a 2-1 lead in the 1^st period.  San Jose had a goal from Travis Burrow.  In the 2^nd period, Igor Leonenko and John Godfrey scored to give the Sharks a lead they would never lose the rest of the way. Boxscore

16U Silver Consolation Game

Indiana 2 vs. St. Louis 1 – In the 16U Consolation final, the Indiana Jr. Ice were led by the goaltending tandem of Adam Conkling and Darin Fox, who combined for 25 saves to help the Ice to the 2-1 win.  George Pippen gave Indiana a 1-0 lead in the 1^st period with a power play goal.  That was answered by St. Louis and a goal from Ryan Derousse in the 2^nd period.  In the 3^rd period, Ryan Jones scored the eventual game-winning goal. Boxscore

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)