HACKENSACK, N.J. – The road to USA Hockey Nationals came to a glorious conclusion for five teams today, when they punched their ticket with a victory at the Tier-I Atlantic District Championship tournament. The Palmyra Black Knights, Philadelphia Jr. Flyers, North Jersey Avalanche and New Jersey Rockets will all be sending teams to events around the country that begin on April 1.
The Rockets will have two teams at the national tournaments, following victories in both the 16U and 18U divisions. The Black Knights will represent the Atlantic Affiliate at the second iteration of the 13-Only tournament, and the Jr. Flyers will play in the 14U division and Avalanche in the 15-Only division.
Championship games were filled with energy on Sunday afternoon, as teams battled it out in the inaugural “Frozen Four” format. In each age division, four teams earned a spot at championship weekend with the opportunity to move on or head home in a semifinal and final round.
The 14U and 16U divisions saw the closest final games, with the 16U game remaining scoreless after a full period. The Rockets managed to score two goals in the second period and following the intermission scored a third one. But the Avalanche fought back and scored one in the third to keep their chances alive. As the Avalanche battled it out, they remained hopeful, but in the end it was the Rockets who emerged victorious.
In the 14U game, the Jr. Flyers developed a two goal lead before the Avalanche came back with a goal quickly in response to the Jr. Flyers’ second goal. The game remained a back and forth race in the third period before the Jr. Flyers scored a third goal and solidified their ticket to nationals.
Action kicks off at three different sites for Tier-I with 13-O and 14U in Plymouth, Michigan, 15-O and 16U in Madison, Wisconsin, and 18U in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania.