Arizona teams shine bright at Coyotes Cup


Continued from Page 13


the teams that defeated them. CoachKevin Noonan made sure his squad was ready for its second chance as the


Knights steamrolled the Utah Jr. Grizzlies, 8-1, in the championship game, avenging a 5-2 defeat to the Grizzlies earlier in the tourney. “We had to put that (loss) behind us and make sure we put pressure on the puck, be


good in our defensive zone, and make the most of our offensive opportunities,” Noonan said. “We knew that if we did those three things, we were going to be a tough team to beat in the final, and we were able to put it all together.” Forward and team captainJacob Schneider, who scored eight goals, including a pair of hat tricks, delivered an impressive performance. Noonan said forwardsCarson Abercrombie,Zach


Vandale andAustin Gloyd also came up big through- out the tournament, along with goaltenderCaleb Wall and every member of his defensive unit. “They played well the whole tournament and need to be commended,” he said of his blueliners.


Mite: Phoenix Jr. Coyotes The Coyotes Amateur Hockey Association’s (CAHA)


Mites went a perfect 4-0 in their four-team division and outscored their opponents, 51- 12, en route to a division title. The Jr. Coyotes advanced to the championship game with three straight double-


digit-goal performances: 12-1 over the Peoria Hitmen; 14-7 over the Knights; and 19-1 over the Chandler Selects. In the championship contest, CAHA rallied from a 2-0 first-period deficit to defeat


the Knights once again, 6-3. ForwardBrett Strick tallied two goals and an assist in the finale, as CAHA outshot Arizona Hockey Union, 26-14. Jr. Coyotes forwardCutter Gauthier led all scorers in the Mite division with 13


goals throughout the tournament, while Strick added seven goals and three assists. GoaltendersMax Geddes andAiden Rettke shared playing time and combined for all of CAHA’s victories.


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First-year Arsenal proving competitive in MLRH W


real good, physically, and he’s got a great shot.”


hen Major League Roller Hockey (MLRH), the only full contract pro league in the sport, began its 2011-12 season, the Grand Can- yon State was represented for the first time with the addition of the Arizona Arsenal. Playing in the MLRH’s Pacific Division along with the Hollywood Dream, Mission Axiom and Anaheim Bullfrogs - all California-based teams - the Arsenal is competing for the chance to play in the league championship series with $10,000 up for grabs.


The Arsenal has its work cut out for them this season competing with the likes of the defending champion Axiom and the Bullfrogs - another club expected to challenge for the title.


Arizona held its own through the first half of the season, however, compiling a 4-6 record that left it only two points behind Anaheim in the playoff picture as the second half of the campaign kicked off on Jan. 14.


“With the physical contact allowed, you can compete a little more defensively,” said Arsenal coach Dan Maxwell. “That’s been an equalizer for us because we’re not as talented, but we have a good physical presence.” Recent California transplant Chris Frat-


terigo and local standout Chad Helvik paced the Arsenal in scoring through the first half of the season; Fratterigo’s 11 goals and Helvik’s eight assists were team highs.


“We’ve had contributions from everyone, but


Chris has been really good for us,” said goaltender Eric Hernandez. “He moves the puck well, is


One element that’s fueled the Arsenal’s competitiveness has been the play of Hernandez and fellow netminder Cody O’Reilly. The tandem is accus- tomed to playing against each other in the American Inline Hockey League; Hernandez for the Phoenix Dragons and O’Reilly for the Tucson Slayers. “It’s been awesome teaming up,” said Hernandez. “Cody’s a good goalie and handles himself well. He’s a great guy in the locker room and it’s been fun working with him instead of be- ing opponents.”


Both keepers have posted stellar performances in help- ing Arizona keep up with some of the league’s best teams, says Maxwell.


Arsenal captain Chad Helvik was one of the team’s top offensive performers during the first half of the MLRH season. Photo/Alex Dodt


“Our goaltending has been very strong, even when facing a lot of shots,” said the coach. “They’re both pretty active and have kept us in games, and we hope that continues into the sec- ond half.”


The Arsenal’s last game before the winter break was a tightly contested 3-2 loss to Axiom and, as much as a loss can be considered a posi- tive, the defeat was a definite victory for the Ar- senal.


“Every game we go out there, we’re getting


better, getting used to the style of play in MLRH,” said forward Joe Soucy.


While it’s shown it can com- pete with the best, winning the league and the $10,000 prize isn’t the No. 1 goal for the Arse- nal in this its first season. “Mostly, we want to see where we’re at and continue to build a top team in the state,” said Hernandez. “It doesn’t matter if we don’t win it all; we want to get ourselves at that level and establish this team for the long run.”


Another major step for the Arsenal will be exposing the lo- cal roller hockey community to the team and the league. “We’re going to eventually get some home games instead of playing everything in Cali-


fornia,” said Maxwell. “Starting next year, we’ll bring some games out here (to Arizona), which will be big in terms of getting the local kids to check out the league and see what it’s all about.” The MLRH has existed in various capacities since the 1990s. Last season, organizers restruc- tured the league and, this year, boasts nine teams total in two divisions - four in the Pacific, five in the Eastern - with the division champs playing for the $10,000 prize money.


For more information on the MLRH, visit MLRH.com.


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