NAPHL event in Blaine, 16U All-Star game, both impress

December 8, 2014

As the NAPHL event in Blaine, Minnesota, winds down, the response from the fourth event of the season as been great.  With all the teams playing five games in the four days, the action has been furious. With just one game remaining on Monday, the NAPHL will be down to just five games remaining in the race for the top 8 in the playoffs. The final regular season event will be played from January 16-19, 2015 in Troy, Michigan.

 

With that said, points are at a premuim. In the 18U Division, the Madison Capitols are barely holding onto the top spot. However, the top 8 teams have separated themselves from the rest of the pack. Just eight points separate Madison from the 8th place team, Calfornia. There is also a three-way tie for 3rd place with Lansing, Anaheim and Esmark.

 

In the 16U Division, things are a little less clear.  What is clear is that Omaha and Anaheim are in a two-team race for the regular season title.  They are tied for 1st place with 13-1 records and 26 points. Madison holds onto the 8th and final playoff spot, but three teams are within three points.

 

In the Bantam Tournament Series, the Omaha 14U team won the title as they defeated the Rosemount Irish, 5-1 in the Championship Game.  In the Girls Tournament Series, the Minnesota Revolution went through the round-robin undefeated to capture to inuagural GTS title.

 

To watch all the action, follow live on FASTHockey

 

 

Team White 5 vs. Team Blue 3 – In front of a packed house at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, the 16U All-Star Game between Team White and Team Blue was tight through all 60 minutes, but in the end 16U Team White emerged with a 5-3 win.

 

The lead went back and forth and was more than two goals during the contest, and the winning goal was scored by Marshal Plunkett (Madison) at 16:37 of the second period. Plunkett was all over the ice for Team White, as he finished with two goals in the win.

 

Team White's defensemen played an important role in the offense, chipping in two goals. Team White also had goals scored by Ethen Frank (Omaha), Matt Kowalski (Pursuit of Excellence) and Ryan Hein (Lansing), who each put in one. In addition, Team White received assists from Jaden Anderson (Omaha), who had two and Bryan Yoon (Omaha) and Alec Zawatsky (Pursuit of Excellence), who each chipped in one.

 

Team Blue forced Team White's goaltenders to work in net, racking up 32 shots and forcing 29 saves. Veeti Haapasalo (California) made 13 stops and Jake Acton (San Jose) made 16.

 

Team Blue was led by Justin Dixson (Anaheim), who grabbed one goal and one assist. Dixson scored on the power play 5:54 into the second period to make the score 2-0 for Team Blue. Jack Gates (Anaheim) picked up the assist. Team Blue additionally got points from Gates, who also tallied one goal and one assist. 

 

Team Blue also got a goal from Zach Fizer (St. Louis) as well. Other players who recorded assists for Team Blue were Dallas Tulik (West Michigan), who had one.

 

Team White registered zero goals on one power play opportunities. Team Blue's goalie, John Massara (St. Louis), who came in at halftime, made 11 saves and finished with the loss. Hunter Smith (HC Dallas) started the game and played well, allowing just one goal on 12 shots. 

 

Team Blue registered one goal on seven power play opportunities.