Congratulations to the Bantam Minor team for winning the 33rd Hockey Valley Invitational tournament in State College, PA.  All games were played at the new Pegula Arena located on the campus at Penn State, and home to the newest addition to Division I college hockey.  (And the closest to Raleigh!)

The Eagles started the tournament by winning their opening game by the score of 4-2 in a back-and-forth   contest against the Pittsburgh Aviators.  Eagles’ goals were scored by Phillip Radosta, Eric Warren, Sam Klaus, and Evan Tytran.  Griffin Hunt got the win in the net. 

The second game was a victory over the local State College Icers by the score of 6-0.  Goals were by Tyler Bartone (2), Alex Drake, Ryan Arnott, Radosta, and Klaus.  Baylor Winecoff got the shutout.

The third game was a match-up with the pre-tournament favorite Warwick Wildcats.  Despite playing one of their better games of the season, the Eagles dropped the contest by the score of 3-5.  It was a hard fought battle where both teams dominated for stretches of the game, but Warwick was able to convert more often.  Goal scorers for the Eagles were Nate McShane, Drake, and Klaus.  Winecoff played well in goal and gave the Eagles a chance to win.

Due to the point scoring system by period in the round-robin portion of the tournament, it ended up that the Eagles and Warwick would face off again, this time for the Championship.  In what can only be described as great game by both teams, the Eagles were able to score first at the 7 minute mark of the first period on a goal by Caleb Padgett.  The 1-0 score held up through some terrific play by both teams until Warwick was able to get on the board, and tie the score at 1-1, at the 8 minute mark of the third period.  The Eagles had to play the last two minutes of the third period short-handed, which made for some exciting moments, but regulation ended in a 1-1 tie, and the contest headed to overtime.  Riding the confidence from the penalty kill, the Eagles started the OT strong, but were unable to convert some good scoring chances.  Warwick then took their turn, and due to some great goaltending by Griffin Hunt, they were unable to score.  Then with 0:28 seconds left, Ryan Arnott found the upper corner with a snap shot, and by a 2-1 margin, the Eagles were the tournament Champs! 

This was truly a team effort with so many different players scoring goals, and virtually every player getting a point.  Strong goaltending played a major role due to key saves made at crucial times in the games.  The team enjoyed the hospitality in State College, and the environment of playing in the facility of a Division I program.  The bus ride home was great when you have the trophy leading the way to NC!