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Falcons Win Rematch with Flames with National Title on the Line

By Scott Alan Salomon, 04/10/17, 4:15PM MDT

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Teams also met in opener of Tier II 14U national championships

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – The Chicago Falcons defeated the Gulf Coast Flames 6-1 Monday afternoon to capture the 3A title at the 2017 USA Hockey Youth Tier II 14U National Championships.

“I am very pleased with the way we performed on the ice today,” Falcons coach Bob Heelan said. “We battled back after going out and giving up an early goal. We showed the fortitude that we have and what we are made of.”

Liam Clark scored first for Gulf Coast as the Flames took an early 1-0 lead 11:50 into the game. He gathered in a loose puck out front and fired it past the goalkeeper.

The Falcons tied it up with 2:35 to play in the period as William Klinge scored from the outside of the right circle. He possessed the puck just long enough to get his shot off and slide it in the goal.

“I just scored a decent goal, it was OK,” Klinge said. “I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time.”

Chicago took a 2-1 lead at the 14:06 mark of the second period as Luke Baldwin scored from the crease. There was a loose puck in front of the net and Baldwin stuck his body in there and gained controlled of the puck and slammed it home.

“I was lucky to get a stick on it before anyone else did,” Baldwin said with a smile. “I got the stick on it and it went in the net, just like I wanted it to.”

The Falcons lead was extended to 3-1 at the 4:22 mark when Chris Kondiles banged home another loose puck. Kondiles took the puck from the right side of the crease and scored for Chicago.

The lead was increased to 4-1 as Michael Nobregas poked one in from inside the crease. The loose puck was bouncing around and Nobregas put a stick on it and got the goal. 

The goal was scored on the backup goaltender as the starter, Justin Cataldo, was pulled in favor of backup Spencer Rose.

Chicago’s lead swelled to 5-1 less than two minutes later as they scored on an odd-man rush.

The game was a rematch of the tournament opener. Chicago was able to get revenge on Gulf Coast, which turned out to be the Falcons’ only loss of the tournament. Chicago won four games in a row following the opening 4-1 defeat.

Many came in impressive fashion as the Falcons outscored their next three opponents 17-4.

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.

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2017 USA Hockey National Championship Sites

Division Location Host Dates
Youth Tier I (14U) Scottsdale, Arizona Arizona Amateur Hockey April 6-10, 2017
Youth Tier I (15-year-olds only) Scottsdale, Arizona Arizona Amateur Hockey April 6-10, 2017
Youth Tier I (16U, 18U) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Penguins Elite April 6-10, 2017
Girls Tier I Rochester/Macomb, Michigan HoneyBaked Hockey Club April 6-10, 2017
Women's A, B, C Rochester/Macomb, Michigan HoneyBaked Hockey Club April 6-9, 2017
High School Cleveland, Ohio Cleveland Suburban Hockey March 22-26, 2017
Girls Tier II Troy, Michigan Troy Youth Hockey Association April 6-10, 2017
Youth Tier II (14U) Coral Springs, Florida Florida Panthers Ice Den April 6-10, 2017
Youth Tier II (16U) Frisco, Texas Texas Amateur Hockey April 6-10, 2017
Youth Tier II (18U) Lansing, Michigan Lansing Hockey Club April 6-10, 2017
Sled San Jose, California Sharks Ice April 6-9, 2017
Adult Rec Men's Wesley Chapel, Florida Florida Hospital Center Ice April 20-23, 2017
Adult Rec Women's Ellenton, Florida Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex April 27-30, 2017