New Jersey and Omaha crowned 2015 NAPHL Champions

February 17, 2015

The 2014-15 North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) came to an exciting conclusion on Monday in Troy, Michigan with the Championship games in both the Gold 18U and 16U Divisions.  The match-ups featured the New Jersey Jr. Titans against the Omaha AAA Hockey Club in the 18U Division and the Anaheim Jr. Ducks against the Omaha AAA Hockey Club in the 16U Division.  Here is a look at the results

 

 

New Jersey Jr. Titans 4 vs. Omaha AAA 3 – The New Jersey Jr. Titans came back from a 2-1 deficit to defeat. Neither team gained more than a two-goal lead, and Zach Berzolla's goal in the second period proved to be the difference maker. Greg Malafronte had a great game for New Jersey Jr. Titans, netting two goals. Malafronte scored on the power play at 7:53 into the first period to make the score 1-0 New Jersey Jr. Titans and again while 16:07 into the first to make the score 2-2. The New Jersey Jr. Titans forced Omaha goaltenders to work all game long, racking up 35 shots and forcing 31 saves. Darion Hanson made 18 stops and Lucas Van Dyke stopped all 13he faced.  Boomer Miller also scored for New Jersey. More assists for New Jersey came via Brad Becker, who had one and Anthony Cusanelli, who had three. Omaha AAA was helped by Zach Kramer, who had one goal and one assist. Kramer scored 12:51 into the second period to make the score 4-3 New Jersey Jr. Titans 18U. Jarett Mari picked up the assist. Omaha AAA 18U additionally got points from Mari, who also racked up one goal and one assist. Omaha AAA 18U also got a goal from Cole Wild as well. In addition, Omaha AAA 18U received assists from Jake Levin, Matt Christian, and Tristan Ashbrook, who contributed one each. Cam Newman recorded 25 saves for New Jersey in the win. The win was New Jersey’s first NAPHL Championship. Boxscore

 

 

Omaha AAA 2 vs. Anaheim Jr. Ducks 1 – The Omaha AAA Hockey Club won their second NAPHL 16U Championship in the last three years thanks to a 2-1 win over the Anaheim Jr. Ducks. The Ducks tried its best to erase a two-goal deficit, but Omaha would not be denied the victory and hung on to win, 2-1. A goal by Jaden Anderson put Omaha up 2-0 in the third period, but Anaheim pulled to within one on Patrick Choi's tally 7:11 into the third period. Omaha was sparked by Anderson, who registered one goal. Anderson scored on the power play 1:28 into the third period to make the score 2-0 Omaha. Bryan Yoon picked up the assist. Omaha forced Anaheim goalie Alex Frosh to work between the pipes, taking 32 shots. Drew Pflug also scored for Omaha. More assists for Omaha came via Austin Long, Johnny Bennis, and Jasper Weatherby, who each chipped in one. In addition, the Jr. Ducks received assists from Paul Selleck and Andre Ghantous, who contributed one each. Maximilian Haselbacher made 22 saves for Omaha in the win. Boxscore

 

In the Silver (Consolation) Bracket, Pursuit of Excellence shutout Arizona, 5-0 to take the Silver 18U Consolation title and in the 16U Division, the Madison Capitols beat the San Jose Jr. Sharks to capture the 16U Silver crown.