BUFFALO, N.Y. -- There were plenty of Stars and plenty of goals on the ice for USA Hockey's Tier II 14 & Under National Championship game. The California Stars played the Southern Connecticut Stars -- with nearly identical logos -- and the red light went on 15 times.

The West Coast version of the Stars took home the championship trophy, as they defeated their counterparts, 10-5.

California scored early, often and in many ways -- even strength (four, with one on a four-on-four), power play (three), and shorthanded (three). California outscored its opponent, 4-1, in each of the first two periods before Southern Connecticut fought back in the third.

"I think the team came out really fired up and ready to play," California head coach Erik Brown said. "Our game is based on puck control, speed, puck movement and awareness on the ice. They opened up the passing lanes, supplied the pucks to the men moving and accelerated with speed."

It was Anthony Annunziato who started the barrage of goals 47 seconds into the game. Wide open in front, Annunziato received a pass from the corner by John Siemer and had no problem beating the goaltender.

Jonathon Davis was the recipient of another quick pass in the slot area, this time from Annunziato from the right boards, and sent home the one-timer.

Southern Connecticut actually scored the first shorthanded goal of the game when one brother bailed out the other, both sons of the coach. Eric Naclerio was in the box for slashing as his brother, Mark, scored on a breakaway.

Siemer got his first goal of the night on the power play. Charles Morrison closed out the first period scoring when he shot instead of passed on a two-on-one. He saw the goaltender giving him space on the far side and Morrison placed the waist-high shot just inside the post.

Davis scored back-to-back goals to lead off the second and give him the hat trick, both on fast rushing plays.

After those two goals made it 6-1, Southern Connecticut called time out to try to regroup. They also replaced their starting goaltender.

California followed those two goals with back-to-back shorthanded tallies. Both were on two-on-ones, the first scored by Morrison, the latter by Annunziato.

Brown said, "We spend a lot of time [in practice] working on moving the puck forward and regrouping with the puck to control it and then spring people. Then we finish all the time working on how to close around the net. And our guys are very quick with their hands. It's not a surprise to me when I see them finish off like that."

Southern Connecticut closed out the period with a goal by Johnny Hotchkiss on a nice individual effort. He cut across the slot and put a fade-away shot back the other way into the opposite side of the goal.

California came out in the third, putting Spencer McLay in net, giving their starter, Matthew Bartels, some rest. The teams traded goals to start the final period.

Mark Naclerio scored a shorthanded goal 35 seconds into the period for Southern Connecticut, shortly followed by a power play tally by Jarrett Stark to negate that effort.

California got its last goal of the game, cracking the double digit mark, when Tyler Gonzales burst into the zone.

Southern Connecticut scored two late goals to cut the lead down to the final 10-5 score. P.J. Vakos put one in off the post from the faceoff circle and Ross Burton got the finale from in close.

"We had some role players who really stepped up today," Brown said. "Our goalie [Bartels] starting in the net played well today. Charles Morrison stepped up today -- hard skating, hard forechecking and he created a lot of turnovers. Defenseman Nick Martinez has consistently improved throughout the season, displaying an awareness and knowledge of the game that is unseen at this age."

Story courtesy Red Line Editorial, Inc.