USA Hockey Nationals - Update (3/30/2012)

Congratulations to the Freeze 18UAA Team. The Team wrapped up their season today finishing with a 26-1-1 record. Thank you all for the great season.

Freeze - 4   Western (PA) Mustangs - 3

Freeze - 1  Port Huron Flags (MI) - 0

Freeze - 1  Chicago Huskies (IL) - 3

 

 

Peewee B Takes Bronze in Annapolis

NJ Freeze PW B takes 3rd (out of 6) in the Capital Showdown Tournament in Laurel/Annapolis, Maryland (March 9-11).  The tournament started on Friday evening with a 2-2 Tie against the Tri-City Eagles and followed the game with an Olympic Showdown.  The team also placed 3rd out of 6 in the Olympic Showdown which consisted of a Team Obstacle Course, a Goaltending Shootout Competition, an Accuracy Rapid Shot Competition, a Defensive and Offensive Speed Skating Competition.  All players from the team were participants in the Olympics events.  On Saturday, the team played against Howard Huskies (Loss 2-1) and Winston Salem Ice Hawks (Win 5-2).  The team had a great opportunity in the first game on Saturday to play at The US Naval Academy’s McMullen Arena.  On Sunday, our final game was the 3rd/4th place game between NJ Freeze and New Jersey’s own Kinnelon Colts, a team we faced throughout the regular season and has many familiar friendly faces.  The game ended in a 2-2 tie with both teams showing great New Jersey spirit by wanting to take a group photo to end the tournament.  The team did a great job at the tournament considering we were down two teammates for the weekend.  NJ Freeze PW B finished our season the following weekend with two non-league games and followed up with a Parent vs. Player game/end of season party.

Article and Photo by Kelly-Ann Kimiecik

Squirt Grey wraps up 2012 season

After a first place regular season finish, and successful 13-0-1 finish in the NJYHL Squirt Norris Division,the Squirt Grey team headed to Wall NJ for a chance to win the State Championship.

The quest began on Saturday with a game against Flyers Youth, a challenging team they faced and beat inthe Delaware Thanksgiving Tournament earlier this season.  As the game began we saw a lot of defense amongst thetwo teams until The Freeze broke through with the first goal during period 1.  That goal proved to  set the precedence for the rest of the game.By the time the clock reached zero at the end of the third the score was 4-2 and The Freeze boys were headed to the Championships.

Sunday began with two long time rivals battling for the State Title.  Freeze vs Colonials.  The puck was dropped and the game began.  Once again, a big defensive game with no scoring until late in the first period , Colonials were up 1-0. The boys played a great game,and the scoring went back andforth but unfortunately in the end the score was 3-2 and not in our favor.

The players had great reason to hold their heads high,though the fans and families could see the disappointment on each of the boys faces. While some of the boys came off the ice with tears of sadness, the parents had tears of emotion for being proud of each and every one of the Squirt Grey teammatesand their outstanding accomplishments. This was certainly an unforgettable season and an experience I am sure everyone will remember!

Article by Laura Conklin

Photo by Laura Conklin

 

Freeze Coaches and Players win High School Championship Games

Congratulations to Freeze 18UAA and Delbarton School Head Coach Bruce Shatel. The Delbarton Green Wave won the NJSIAA Non-Public School Championship Game this past weekend by defeating CBA 3-2. The Green Wave had an outstanding season with a 28-1 record. Coach Shatel has won 7 State Championships at Delbarton.  Coach Shatel will be heading to Lansing, Michigan with the Freeze 18UAA for the USA Hockey National Tournament.  The tournament will run from March 27 through April 1st.

 

Congratulations to Freeze 18U Tournament Team and Randolph High School Head Coach Rich McLaughlin. The Randolph Rams won the NJSIAA Public A High School Championship Game this weekend by defeating Morristown High School by a score of 3-1. Coach McLaughlin has won 5 State Championships at Randolph. 

 

 

Squirt Grey Gears up for NJYHL Playoffs

With a 1st Place finish in the regular season, and an amazing 13-0-1 record, the Squirt Grey Team is preparing for the NJYHL playoffs.     Before they proceed to the state championships, they look forward to having fun and coming home with another trophy from the March Classic in Boston this upcoming weekend.  The team took home a 1st Place trophy earlier in the season during the Thanksgiving Tournament in Delaware.   The friendships built off the ice can be seen by the teamwork and trust of the boys on the ice.  Their hard work and dedication, combined with the coaching staff of Jourdy, Rich, Will and Jim make it obvious to understand why the team is so successful.

Article by Laura Conklin

Bantam B Squad Heads to NJYHL Playoffs

The Freeze Bantam B team has added to an already successful season by qualifying for the NJYHL playoffs with a 15-7-2 record. At mid-season, the Freeze was in fourth place in the North Division. The Freeze went 11-4-1 from the beginning of November to secure second place in the division and a playoff spot. Two of the Freeze’s four losses came at the hands of the undefeated, 1st place Colonials. In their last game against the Colonials, the game was tied until 4:27 of the third period, when the Colonials scored to win the game. 

The Bantam B season started successfully when they won the gold at the Protec Ponds Labor Day Tournament. The success continued when the Freeze earned Silver at the Thanksgiving Hockey Classic Tournament at the Ponds Ice Arena in Delaware.

The team attributes their success to timely scoring, strong defense and rock-solid goaltending. The boys have bought into playing a team oriented, unselfish type of game based on quick puck movement. The players have shown an eagerness to learn and to adapt to any situation that they face.

The Bantam B team looks forward to the playoffs and the Capital Showdown Tournament in Maryland to round out an already successful and enjoyable season.

Article by Amy Heller 

Bantam AA Earns Gold at Aston

The Freeze Bantam-AA team was able to overcome a tough injury filled weekend to capture Gold at the Aston Ice Works Thanksgiving Tournament. The boys started out Friday morning with a tough 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes. They were able to turn things around Friday night with a 4-2 victory over the Jaguars to get things rolling. The team took advantage of a mid-afternoon game on Saturday where they came away with a 7-1 victory over the Bristol Blazers, but it came at a cost. Two players were lost to injuries during the game on Saturday -- Connor MacEwen to a broken ankle and John Pesce to head, neck and knee injury. They boys went into the Semi's as 3rd seed with a rematch against the Hurricanes where they dominated with a 10-2 win. The Finals match-up was against the Warwick Wildcats who were the number 1 seed. The Freeze took a 2-1 lead early in the 3rd when Griffin Moroney came off the ice with a broken wrist. The team hung on with only 10 skaters to bring the Gold back to NJ! Congratulations to the players and coaches and the NJ Freeze Tournament MVP Kenneth O'Brien (AKA -- Obie).

Article written by Mike Lapshanski 

Photos taken by Ariel Stephanick & Diane Stenberg

Peewee B Takes Silver at the Pond

The NJ Freeze Pee Wee B team competed in the Thanksgiving Hockey Classic at The Pond Arena in Delaware.  The first game was held on Friday afternoon at the Gold Arena on the campus of the University of Delaware where they played the Toms River Blackhawks.  The NJ Freeze was able to shut out the Blackhawks with a 4-0 victory.  On Saturday, the game against Old Bridge Junior Knights at Gold Arena, was a bit more of a challenge, but NJ Freeze was able to overcome the Jr. Knights with a 4-2 victory.  With these two victories, NJ Freeze PW B team was the first cede in the Division and played the fourth place team, Old Bridge Jr. Knights, again on Sunday morning at The Pond Arena.  This game was probably the most exciting game of the entire tournament.  The Freeze was down 3-2 in the third period when Connor Adams scored to tie the game with 56.4 seconds left.  The team held strong through the remaining minute of the game to maintain the tie.  The Freeze also worked hard to maintain a tie through the grueling 5 minute Over Time Period which lead to an unbelievable shoot out.  The regulation shoot out called for a five man shoot out.  Both teams remained scoreless through the first three shooters.  Then, Jake Flood of the Freeze scored as our fourth shooter and Scott Kimiecik was able to make a save on Old Bridge.  The Freeze players had a premature celebration as they thought that regulation shoot out was only three-man which would have been a victory at the fourth man.  So after the Freeze players and fans composed themselves, on went the shoot out with the fifth and last regulation shooters.  NJ Freeze did not score, but Old Bridge scored a goal bringing the game, yet again, to a tie.  The game proceeded on with a sudden death shoot out.  After going through 9 more rounds of shots and saves, Frankie Baccaro stepped up as our 15 shooter to put the puck in the net.  Old Bridge had one shot to tie the game.  After going through their entire bench, their number one shooter got on the ice to try and tie the game.  Fortunately for the Freeze, Kimiecik was able to make one more save to give the NJ Freeze PW B a victory in the semi-final game.  Later on that afternoon, the Freeze competed in the Finals to once again face the Toms River Blackhawks.  The Blackhawks came at us with a vengeance after losing to the Freeze in the first game.  At the end of the first period, the Freeze was down 2-0 and also lost Connor Adams to a concussion.  Even down a player, the Freeze was able to keep the Blackhawks scoreless for the rest of the game but were unable to put beat the Blackhawks goalie.    Despite the 2-0 loss in the Championship game, the Coaches and Parents say Congratulations to NJ Freeze PW B for bringing home the Silver!

Story by Kelly Kimiecik

 

Bantam A takes Silver at the Pond

The Bantam A traveled to Newark , DE the day after Thanksgiving to participate in the Thanksgiving Hockey Classic.  The first game was at the Gold Arena at the University of Delaware where they faced the Atlantic City Sharks. The Freeze quickly jumped to the lead two minutes into the game.  They scored three more goals before the period was over and three more in the game to win 7-0.  On Saturday, they faced the NJ Devils at the Pond Ice Arena. The Freeze went up 2-1 by the end of the second period. Two more Freeze goals in the third period capped the win. Sunday's game against the Old Bridge Junior Knights became a battle for the second spot in the Championship game later in the day. The Jr. Knights got on the board first three minutes into the game.  The Freeze played hard all period and it paid off with a goal with :13 seconds left to tie it up. The only scoring in the second period was by the Freeze. The Jr. Knights came out determined in the third and quickly tied the score. About four minutes later, the Freeze went ahead for good winning 3-2 and headed to the Championship game against first seed Toms River Blackhawks.  Toms River came out strong and found the net five minutes into the game.  Fans saw a fast-paced second period that was well played by both teams.   The third period was equally exciting and the Freeze appeared to tie it up with :36 left on the clock only to have it called off for a hand pass.  The Freeze then pulled their goalie to add offensive pressure but came up short with Toms River getting control of the puck and scoring an empty net goal at :05 to secure the championship. Congratulations to all the Bantam A players on winning the Silver medal.  

Story by Linda Tuorinsky

Photo by Susan Redgate 

Bantam B Earns Silver at the 2011 Thanksgiving Classic

The NJ Freeze Bantam B team placed second this past weekend at the 2011 Thanksgiving Classic at the Pond in Newark, Delaware. The team started strong on Friday against the Old Bridge Jr. Knights with a 4-0 victory.  The Freeze tied the Toms River Black Hawks 1-1 in a hard fought battle on Saturday with a late goal in the third period. On Saturday night, the Bantams lost 3-0 to the Flyers, but were able to get into the championship game by holding the Flyers scoreless in the first and third periods, thereby earning a half point in the standings for each period. Although the Freeze lost the championship game 5-1, it was a hard fought battle against a big, fast Flyer team. In the end, the players and coaches felt that the team gained a lot of experience and confidence heading into the second half of the season as they make a push to earn a playoff spot, by playing against the Flyers. 

Story by Jeff Heller

Picture by Bernadette DeGraw