HOCKEY NOTEBOOK: A SURPRISE FINISH FOR VIPERS.Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer VALENCIA - Surprises were the dominant theme of last weekend's California Amateur Hockey Association Tier 2 championship tournament at Ice Station Valencia. That was good news for the fifth-seeded Valencia/Sylmar-based Bantam Bantam Former city and sultanate, Java. It was located at the western end of Java between the Java Sea and the Indian Ocean. In the early 16th century it became a powerful Muslim sultanate, which extended its control over parts of Sumatra and Borneo. Vipers (13-and-14-year-olds), and bad news for the top-seeded Pee Wee Pee Wee, Pee-wee or peewee may refer to:
The Bantam Vipers went 4-1, finishing second in the tournament, which qualified them for the Pacific Coast District Championships in San Jose San Jose, city, United States San Jose (sănəzā`, săn hōzā`), city (1990 pop. 782,248), seat of Santa Clara co., W central Calif.; founded 1777, inc. 1850. , which began Thursday. The Pee Wee team, which was 15-1-1 in CAHA CAHA Cape Hatteras National Seashore (US National Park Service) CAHA Canadian Amateur Hockey Association CAHA Centro Astronómico Hispano Alemán CAHA Colorado Amateur Hockey Association CAHA California Amateur Hockey Association play going into the tournament, was 1-3. The Bantam Vipers' success was especially surprising considering they'd lost five consecutive games just a month ago. ``I think a lot of people were surprised, even our group was a little surprised,'' Vipers coach Mike Walker said. ``We really didn't think we'd be in this place a month ago.'' The Vipers, who were projected to be among the CAHA's top teams in the beginning of the season, began to regroup re·group v. re·grouped, re·group·ing, re·groups v.tr. To arrange in a new grouping. v.intr. 1. To come back together in a tactical formation, as after a dispersal in a retreat. from last month's slump at the recent Lakewood President's Day tournament, reaching the championship game before eventually losing to the Huntington Beach Huntington Beach, city (1990 pop. 181,519), Orange co., S Calif., on the Pacific coast, across from Santa Catalina Island, in an oil-producing area; inc. 1909. It manufactures aerospace vehicles, aircraft parts, optical instruments, and heat transfer equipment. Sun Devils
The Vipers are led by defenseman Darren Rowe, an outstanding stick handler who's among the team's most significant scoring threats. The Vipers lost to the California Wave of Lakewood in the championship game, 5-0. ``I'm not only impressed, I'm really proud of the way all 17 (players) came together after some adversity and rallied together as a hockey team,'' Walker said. --``Really good year'' Despite their struggles at the CAHA tournament, the Pee Wee Vipers were among the state's youth hockey community's biggest surprise stories. In addition to winning several prestigious tournaments, the expansion Vipers had a 16-game unbeaten streak that was finally snapped Feb. 1 by the San Diego Gulls The San Diego Gulls were a minor league ice hockey team that played in the Pacific Division of the ECHL, and played its home games at the IPayOne Center (aka San Diego Sports Arena). After the NHL lockout in 2004, the Gulls became the ECHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche. . The Gulls were the eventual CAHA tournament champions. And although tears streamed down the faces of several players at the conclusion of the tournament, coach Larry Bruyere said he was impressed with the way his players handled the disappointment, an emotion they hadn't experienced very much of this season. ``I was really pleased with their morale,'' Bruyere said. ``It was good all year and it was good this weekend. ``It's been a really good year.'' --In-house: Evaluations for the Ice Station's spring and summer in-house hockey programs for Mites through Midgets (ages six through 17) begin Sunday, and conclude March 13. The Ice Station will field four teams on each level. For more information, contact the Ice Station' hockey office at (661) 775-8686, ext. 204. Gideon Rubin, (818) 713-3607 gideon.rubin(at)dailynews.com |
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