Playoff Notebook: Day 3

WEST CHESTER, Pa. — The AYHL playoffs got sent off in style with a series of exciting division title games. Who left West Chester with championship gold? 

12U Minor Division (Elite)

After stacking up a 22-win season, the Washington Little Capitals rolled into the playoffs as the heavy favorites to win the 12U Minor division, and they looked the part throughout the weekend. They started off by defeating the Valley Forge Minutemen in the semi-finals, 5-3. Their opponents, the WB/Scranton Jr. Knights, stampeded into the finals by virtue of a 12-1 victory in the semi-finals, so both teams came into the championship game with a lot of confidence. The Caps roared out the gate with a four goal first period, including two from Anderson Adam. Already facing a 4-0 deficit heading into the second period, the Knights weren’t willing to roll over. They scored three times in the second period alone to make the score 4-3 to make it a game heading into the third. From there, Gehrett Mussel, Nicholas Chung and Anderson Adam tacked on goals (Adam’s third of the game) to lock the championship up for the Caps. 

14U Major Division (Premier)

The two top seeds in the 14U Major division renewed their rivalry in the championship game. The WB/Scranton Jr. Knights have gotten the better of the Long Island Royals the last few times these teams have faced off, but the Royals were intent on making sure that streak came to an end. After a scoreless first period, the Royals got off to a blistering start to the second period, scoring twice. The Knights marched right back and scored to open the third period to make it a 2-1 game, but the Royals were able to put the game out of reach with another goal a few minutes later. With that the Royals began their reign as 14U Major division champions. 

10U Minor Division

The Long Island Royals came into the championship game with a lot of momentum after knocking off the first seed North Jersey Avalanche in the semi-finals. On Monday morning, they faced off against a Philadelphia Hockey Club team that survived a 4-3 nailbiter against the Philadelphia Little Flyers in the semi-finals. Both teams exchanged goals early, and the game was tied at 2-2 heading into the third period. The goalies showed out in the game’s final minutes, trading elite saves back-and-forth. As neither team could score, we were headed for overtime. There, Tristan Bourdan drilled his second goal of the day into the back of the net, winning the game and the championship for the Philadelphia Hockey Club.