Team Carolina 94 skated with ease through all four of its 14U division opponents to become the fifth of eight champions at 2Hot4Ice’s third regional qualifier of 2Hot4Ice's ninth season – another sold-out event -- the weekend of Dec. 14 and 16 at the Dream Sports Center.

But instead of hopping into their parents’ vehicles for the trip home, the Team Carolina 94 players kept right on skating, taking four of five games from three older opponents to capture the 16U Gold division crown, as well.

The competition at the Dream Sports Center was spiced up further by a double-overtime championship finale in the 16U Silver division and an overtime title showdown in the 12U Gold division.

Team Carolina 94 outscored the opposition 28-5 in the 14U Gold division, scoring an 8-0 shutout over the Dream Sports Dragons Red behind the division’s tops goalie, Austin McCraw, in a semifinal game and a 6-0 whitewashing of the Carolina Tsunami Blue in the division finale.

The 94’s Wyatt Sexton and Kyle Halladay were the division’s points leader and top dishman, respectively. The Deebs Young Award, which recognizes the division’s unsung hero, went to the Tsunami Blue’s Andrew Young.

The competition was a bit stiffer for Team Carolina went it stepped up to the 16U level. The 94s split their first two games before notching back-to-back wins over the Carolina Tsunami and Team Carolina Gibson in the semifinals. The 94s’ 2-1 trimming of the JC92s in the title contest avenged their 6-2 loss to the 92s earlier.

Sexton also was the 16U Gold division’s points leader. Teammate Colby Lalicker was the Deebs Young recipient. Jacob Ross of the TC92s was the top dishman and Trey Holbrook of Team Carolina Gibson was the top goalies.

 10U division

The Speed stumbled only once en route to the division crown, tieing the DSD White 4-4 after opening tournament play with a pair of wins. Behind Deebs Young Award recipient Tyler Emory, the Speed regrouped to defeat the DSD Blue 5-3 in the finale.

The other individual honorees were Jake Irvin and Christopher Jerzak of the DSD White, points leader and top dishman, respectively, and Jackson Foltz of the DSD Blue, the top goalie.

 12U Silver division

The Charlotte Jr. Checkers came within one goal of perfection at the Dream Sports Center. The Checkers opened play with a 1-1 tie with the Speed, then reeled off three consecutive shutouts, the last over the Speed in the championship game.

The Speed’s Greg Merzigian took home the Deebs Young Award. The other recipients of individual recognition were all Jr. Chckers: Tyler Knight, points leader; Brandon Nebrega, top dishman; and Rhys Davies, top goalie.

 12U Gold division

Behind the offense of division points leader Dan McMauley, top dishman Mikey Giaquinto and top goalie Cole Yeaney, the Team Carolina 96s was the only squad to sweep five divisional games in Apex. After gliding to four wins by a combined score of 25-4, the 96s ran into a buzz saw in the Fusion in their title faceoff. The 96s overcame the Fusion and Deebs Young recipient Joe Schadle 5-4 in overtime.

 14U Silver division

After a 1-1 opening game tie with the Greensboro Spyders, the DSD White squad halted the Speed 2-1 in double overtime, then reeled off three shutouts, the last 3-0 over sister team DSD Blue to take home the divisional title trophy.

The DSD White was paced by points leader Connor Dunleavy, top dishman Daniel Freund and top goalie Justin Schomburg. The DSD Blue’s Cole Keenan was presented with the Deebs Young Award.

 16U Silver

The Speed notched that program’s second championship with a 5-4 double overtime win over the Dream Sports Dragons, capping the most challenging title run of any of Apex’s eight champions. The Speed’s biggest margin of victory in winning all four of its games was 4-2 over the Tsunami White.

Not surprising, given the competitiveness of the division, the second-place Dragons took home three of the four individual honors. Mike Swinarski was the points leader, Colin Rex was the top dishman and Frank O’Neill was tabbed as the top goalie. The Speed’s Michael Watkins was the Deebs Young honoree.

 18U Silver

The Carolina Blackjacks, led by the playmaking of the division’s top dishman, Matt Peterson, stopped the Carolina Tsunami in the semifinals, then nipped the Greensboro Spyders 5-4 in the championship game.

Spyders skaters took home the other individual honors: Brand Quinn, points leader; Daniel Stevens, top goalie; and Patrick Wrenn, Deebs Young Award.

The first three regional championships all lead up to 2Hot4Ice’s penultimate event, Showdown 2009, scheduled for June 24-28, 2009.

Don’t forget that every team that participates in a 2Hot4Ice regional qualifier is eligible to take a shot at the national title.

For now, have safe and enjoyable Christmas and New Year’s holidays.