NAPHL features competitive, busy, and safe games on Day 1
While the action on the ice was exciting and competitive as ever as the NAPHL launched into its 12th season on Friday with the first big event of the season at the Super Rink in Blaine, Minnesota, it was clear that it wasn't like the days of the past.
Social distancing and timely entrances were all part of the scene on Day 1 as teams, parents and fans adapted to the new policies in place.
That didn't stop the action on the ice from being exciting as Day 1 featured many storylines.
Day 2 takes place on Saturday, September 19th bright and early at 7am.
If you are attending the event this weekend, there are several reminders and policies that are designed to keep everyone safe and on the ice:
- There is no admission fee for this event
- Only two spectators per player per game
- Masks are required (except on the ice)
- Maintain social distancing
- Players are to come dressed and may enter 15 minutes prior to game time
- Spectators allowed to enter facility only at the posted game time
- Merchandise will be on sale in upstairs lobby outside of Rink 4
- No lingering and please leave the facility at the end of the game
- Wash and sanitize hands
For those who will not be attending, all NAPHL games will be broadcast live on HockeyTV.
Download the NAHL App to keep up to date with NAPHL scores (iOS - Google Play)
Day 1 Recaps
18U Division: 18U action saw the fewest amount of games on Friday, but made up for it with a few thrillers. Esmark got off on the right foot with a 3-1 win over Arizona, Indy held off the Bulls for a 5-2 win in their opener, Northstar flexed their muscles in a 10-2 win over TRC, Meijer slipped past Northwest 4-3 in overtime, Carshield slammed the door on Colorado Springs in a 4-0 victory and Tri-State toppled West Coast 5-1. Later on, Ontario took a tight win over Florida Alliance 3-2, Des Moines shut down Minnesota 3-0, Janesville posted an impressive late comeback for a 5-4 win over MHA Mudbugs, the Wilderness knocked off Chippewa 5-2, Austin crushed Magicians Elite 6-1 and Fairbanks capped off the day with a resounding 9-2 win over the Magicians Open team.
16U Division: It was a busy Friday for the 16U teams, with 22 games on the docket. The day began with a sizable Esmark win, 7-1 over Arizona, before the Moose shut out Meijer 3-0, Tri-State dumped Madison 5-1, Florida Alliance shut down the Lakers 2-0, Northstar cruised past Colorado Springs 8-1 and the Green Giants ousted Indy 4-2. As the day wore on, West Coast put on a show to beat Des Moines 4-1, Kenai River struck twice late for a 3-1 win and the Blue Ox posted the result of the day: a jaw-dropping 23-0 victory against Northeast. Later, Chippewa took home a 5-2 win over Meijer, Florida Alliance trounced the Wilderness 9-2, Janesville edged out Indy 2-1, the Magicians shut out Esmark 2-0 and the MHA Mudbugs found twine in each period for a 3-1 win over the Moose. The day closed out with a flurry of offense during the final six games. The Walleye starting things off with a 6-2 victory over Colorado Springs, Northstar then followed with a 5-1 win over Fairbanks, Tri-State knocked off Kenai River 4-2, the Blue Ox picked up another win, this time 5-3 over Arizona, the Lakers coasted past Ontario 6-2 and Northwest put on a clinic in the nightcap, winning 14-1 over Northeast.
15U Division: The NAPHL 15U action got off to a hot start in Blaine on Friday, with 20 games throughout the day. Blue Ox got things started with a comfortable 8-1 win over Madison, followed by the Green Giants taking down Tri-State 3-2 in a shootout and the Walleye cruising past the Magicians 10-0. Later on, the Moose kept the shutouts going with a 3-0 victory over the Indy Jr. Fuel, Loons knocked off Des Moines 6-1, Meijer handled Janesville 5-3, Esmark edged out MHA 1-0 and Polars held off Northwest 7-4 in a thriller. From there, the Lakers took down the Arizona Bobcats 6-1, Carshield stomped Colorado Springs 6-0, Tri-State shut down Madison 2-0 and the Blue Ox picked up another comfortable win, 4-0 over Indy. Capping off the afternoon slate, the Moose topped Des Moines 3-1 and Carshield picked up another win with a 3-2 decision over the Loons. In the late games, the Walleye opened with an 11-4 thumping of Meijer, Janesville toppled Esmark 4-3 in a shootout, the Polars took home a 7-6 OT win over Arizona, the Lakers drubbed Colorado Springs 11-0, Northwest earned its first win with a 6-3 victory over the Magicians and MHA ended the day by beating the Green Giants 5-3.
14U Division: The 14U division saw just 14 games on the day, but certainly weren’t short on action. The day got off to a strong start with a pair of high-scoring affairs, as Madison knocked off Indy 4-2 and Meijer shut down Des Moines 8-0. From there, the dominant victories continued with Arizona logging a whopping 19-0 win over West Coast, followed up by Colorado Springs strolling past Northwest 9-2. Carshield picked up from there with a 6-1 win over Tri-State, Madison outlasted Voyageurs 5-2 and the Polars scored three in the third to drop Indy 4-2. Later on, the Blue Ox dealt West Coast another tough loss with a 10-1 decision, the Moose edged past Arizona 6-5 despite a late Bobcats comeback, the Green Giants cruised past Colorado Springs 6-0, Northwest made up for its morning loss with a 7-6 win over Des Moines, the Loons knocked off Meijer 5-1, Tri-State took a close one 3-2 over the Lakers and Carshield held off the Walleye for a 5-3 win to close out the day.
Now in its 12th season, no other USA Hockey youth league does more for its players than the NAPHL. Operated by the full-time staff of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), who make it their mission to outperform others both on and off the ice in promoting its players. The NAPHL has proved over the years that the league is a great stepping-stone for development and training for young hockey players looking to gain experience and knowledge to work their way up to the National level.
The National Sports Center Super Rink is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all guests. To ensure we have as safe and healthy workplace, we have developed the following COVID-19 Preparedness Plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our goal is to mitigate the potential for transmission of COVID-19 in our workplaces and communities, and that requires full cooperation among our workers, management and customers. Only through this cooperative effort can we establish and maintain the safety and health of our workers and workplaces.
