Atlantic Youth Hockey League

Avalanche Win 16U National Championship

Monday morning, the North Jersey Avalanche won the USA Hockey Youth Tier-I 16U National Championship in Maryland Heights, Missouri.

A competitive start, left the Avalanche battling for possession with the Colorado Thunderbirds. Late in the first period, the Avalanche had three odd-man rushes in a row, unable to put the puck past the Thunderbirds goaltender. The period ended 0-0.

The Thunderbirds came out hard at the top of the second, putting one past the Avalanche at only 1:50 into the period. But the Avalanche took advantage of a power play with Nicholas Moldenhauer scoring a goal assisted by Peter Klemm and Mick Thompson. Avalanche goalie Matthew Macarthur held steady in net, while the Avalanche continued battling.

At the tail end of the second period, Peter Klemm received the puck from Bryceon Lago and fed it to Quentin Musty ending the period 2-1 in the Avalanche’s favor.

The Avalanche dominated the third period, with Lucas Buchanan scoring a shorthanded goal early. Again at nine minutes, the Avalanche took advantage of a power play, with Quentin Musty scoring his second goal assisted by Bryceon Lago and Matthew Mania. Antonio Acaroli managed to sneak another puck past the Thunderbirds assisted by Peter Klemm, ending the championship game 5-1 in favor of the Avalanche.