The 2011 Little Caesars Boys entered Nationals riding serious momentum after capturing a state title earlier in the month and earning the #3 overall ranking in Tier 1 14U hockey. By week’s end, they had turned that momentum into something even bigger.
Playing on near-home ice at USA Hockey Arena, Little Caesars opened the tournament with a hard-fought 2–1 win over the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers and never looked back. They followed with commanding wins over the Chicago Mission and LA Jr. Kings to close out pool play.
In the quarterfinals, standout goaltending from Donovan Knapp anchored a 3–0 shutout of Saints Hockey Club, sending Little Caesars to the semifinals. There, they faced a marquee #3 vs. #2 matchup against Shattuck St. Mary's. Tied 2–2 entering the third period, the game appeared destined for a dramatic finish, but then Little Caesars erupted. The go-ahead goal came early in the period, followed by two more in rapid succession, all within the same minute, powering them to a 6–2 victory and a trip to Championship Sunday.
In the title game, Little Caesars met the #4-ranked Jr. Mounties in what became one of the most thrilling games of the tournament. The back-and-forth battle saw the Mounties take a late 4–3 lead with just 2:51 remaining, but Drystan Thomas answered with his third goal of the game with 1:36 left to tie it and force overtime.
With a national title on the line, both teams traded chances in a tense extra period, backed by stellar goaltending on both ends. As the final minute ticked away, Little Caesars found one last surge. With 41 seconds remaining, Max Osgood fired a shot that beat the goalie and sealed the moment.
The 2011 Little Caesars Boys are your Tier 1 14U National Champions! An incredible run, capped by an unforgettable finish.
Congratulations to our 2011 Boys on the achievement, along with the rest of our teams who competed at Nationals this past week. Please see below to view how all of our teams faired this weekend:
2010 Boys
- Tue, Mar 24 vs Jr Mounties (RI) (L, 7-3)
- Wed, Mar 25 vs Chicago Mission (IL) (W, 6-2)
- Thu, Mar 26 vs Dallas Stars Elite (TX) (W, 7-1)
- Fri, Mar 27 vs Buffalo Jr. Sabres (NY) (L, 1-0) *Quarterfinals
2011 Boys
- Tue, Mar 24 vs Philadelphia Jr Flyers (PA) (W, 2-1)
- Wed, Mar 25 vs Chicago Mission (IL) (W, 7-1)
- Thu, Mar 26 vs LA Jr Kings (CA) (W, 5-2)
- Fri, Mar 27 vs Saints Hockey Club (NY) (W, 3-0) *Quarterfinals
- Sat, Mar 28 vs Shattuck St. Mary's (MN) (W, 6-2) *Semifinals
- Sun, Mar 29 vs Jr. Mounties (RI) (W, 5-4) *Finals
2012 Boys
- Tue, Mar 24 vs St. Louis Blues (MO) (W, 4-3)
- Wed, Mar 25 vs Pittsburgh Penguins (PA) (W, 7-5)
- Thu, Mar 26 vs LA Jr Kings (CA) (W, 6-1)
- Fri, Mar 27 vs Okanagan Hockey Colorado (CO) (W, 7-2) *Quarterfinals
- Sat, Mar 28 vs Mid-Fairfield Hockey Club (CT) (L, 12-0) *Semifinals
- Sun, Mar 29 vs Nashville Jr. Predators (TN) (L, 5-3) *3rd Place Game
19U Girls
- Tue, Mar 24 vs Assabet Valley (MA) (L, 1-2)
- Wed, Mar 25 vs Philadelphia Jr. Flyers (PA) (W, 4-1)
- Thu, Mar 26 vs Mid Fairfield CT Stars (CT) (W, 3-2)
- Fri, Mar 27 vs Rochester Youth BK Selects (NY) (L, 2-1) *Quarterfinals
16U Girls
- Tue, Mar 24 vs Chicago Mission (IL) (L, 3-1)
- Wed, Mar 25 vs Team Colorado (CO) (W, 5-0)
- Thu, Mar 26 vs MN Silver (MN) (L, 6-1)
14U Girls
- Tue, Mar 24 vs MN Lakers (MN) (L, 4-1)
- Wed, Mar 25 vs Mid Fairfield CT Stars (CT) (W, 5-1)
- Thu, Mar 26 vs Dallas Stars Elite (TX) (W, 5-1)
- Fri, Mar 27 vs Chicago Mission (IL) (L, 1-0) *Quarterfinals
Congratulations to all Little Caesars AAA teams on an incredible season and for continuing to represent the program at the highest level!