ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Girls hockey players of the west coast converged at the Subway Sports Center in Anchorage this past weekend for the 2016 USA Hockey Pacific District Tournament. Four divisions squared off in round robin play to determine a champion that would then get their invite to the Toyota USA Hockey National Championships in Vermont to face the best in country.

The 14U Tier II tournament showcased The AHA Northstars, Washington Wild, San Jose Jr. Sharks, Anaheim Lady Ducks, and the Palmer Pioneers. All five teams competed against each other with the top two seeds determined by their wins selected to battle it out in Sunday’s championship game. The 14U tournament was dominated by two teams that both had strong showings.

The AHA Northstars started the tournament off right with a 7-0 victory against the San Jose Jr. Sharks, but San Jose bounced back to win the remainder of their games and ensure a rematch against the powerhouse Northstars team in a championship matchup. But San Jose’s came up just short, losing a heartbreaking 2-1 game to the Northstars. The Northstars go-ahead goal came shorthanded late in the third period of play off forward Allison Greene’s stick. Head coach Rick Trupp and his girls then leaned on the stellar play of goaltender McKinley Hoff, ensuring the Northstars a trip to nationals.

Alaska, California Teams Advance in 16U

The 16U Tier I tournament involved four teams without any representation from host state Alaska. The San Jose Jr. Sharks, Anaheim Lady Ducks, California Wave, and Seattle Lady Admirals all represented their states in an effort to claim a spot at nationals. These Tier I teams had a tough tournament with no clear odds-on favorite. The championship game ended up featuring in-state rivals the California Wave and the San Jose Jr. Sharks. Wave head coach Jenna Caban’s team was victorious after they rolled over San Jose 4-0. California Wave players Kiersten Goode and Brooke Bryant each scored a pair of goals, and were more than pleased to accept the opportunity to represent their state at nationals.

In 16U Tier II play, four Alaska teams that included the AHA Northstars, Alaska All Stars, Kenai Ice Hawks and Palmer Pioneers, faced off against a lone California Wave team in another five team bracket. This bracket however was a breeze for the Alaska All Stars 16U team, who ended round robin play with 31 goals for and one against. The team, lead by head coach Christy Hickel, found themselves pitted against the in-state rival Palmer Pioneers in the championship game. The All Stars made quick work of the Pioneers, winning 6-0 on the strength of Olivia Matson’s hat trick to send them to nationals.

Alaska All Stars Dominate 19U

The 19U Tier II Pacific District Tournament was a runaway for the Alaska All Stars team that walked through the competition with 5 shut out victories behind goaltender Aubrielle Champagne. Alaska faced off in round robin play with only two other teams: the Washington Wild and Anaheim Lady Ducks. After routing both teams once, Alaska had a scare with a 1-0 thriller over Washington. The championship game ended in a 3-0 victory over the Wild with Cheyenne Matson and Morgan Newhouse tallying goals prior to the third period. An empty-net third goal capped a perfect tournament and national slot for another All Stars team led by head coach Christy Hickel.

The Pacific District girls’ tournament allows four teams, one from each division to advance to nationals. Alaska had a strong showing, sending off a team in each of the three divisions it played in. The AHA Northstars will represent the 14U Tier II teams, the Alaska All Stars will send their 16U and 19U Tier II teams, and the California Wave 16U Tier I team round off the list of 2016 Pacific District contenders for the Toyota USA Hockey National Championships in Burlington, Vermont, taking place March 31 to April 4.

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.