M2HOT4ICE HOME TOWN HEROES SHINE!

The home-rink Dream Sports Dragons strutted their stuff at 2Hot4Ice’s second regional qualifier as an AAU alliance member, Dec. 12 and 13 at the Dream Sports Center in Raleigh, N.C. The hometown youngsters won 12 games and tied two others in route to snatching up three division championships in the sold-out tournament.

DSD Red turned in the singular performance of the weekend, running the table and recording four shutouts in its five games. Behind the division’s top goalie, Justin Schomburg, the Red didn’t surrender a goal until its 5-2 win over the Carolina Nightmare Blue in the title game.

The Red’s Connor Dunleavy was the division’s top dishman and Colby Lalicker of the Nightmare Blue its points leader, which earned him the Deebs Young Award. Deebs Young was a standout 2Hot4Ice player who will always be remembered for scoring prolific goals and being a great ambassador for the sport on and off the rink. In previous years, the award recognized outstanding sportsmanship.

The 12U DSD White team won three times and tied once en route to the D2 title. The White stopped the Speed Blue 4-1 and the Charlotte Checkers 8-0 before tieing the Speed Blue to reach the division finale. There, it was all DSD White in a 6-0 victory over the Speed Blue. Ryan Shearer and Ethan Lyons of the White took home the Deebs Young and top dishman hardware, while Thomas Landsberg of the Speed Blue was named the top goalie.

The other skaters in the 16U D2 division made the Dream Sports Dragons earn their crown. The Dragons won four times and tied once, deadlocking 3-3 with the Speed and edging the Charlotte Checkers White 3-2 in the semifinals and the Dragons Lite 2-1 in their title showdown. The Deebs Young Award was presented to the Red’s Jordan Oke. Teammate Alan Singer was named the top goalie. The top dishman was Jake Giaquinto of the Dragons Lite.

10U division

Team Carolina 99 was one of only two teams to win five games in Raleigh. With the division’s top three performers on their roster, Carolina 99 marched to 9-3, 8-0, 7-2 and 5-1 wins before encountering the Dream Sports Dragons in the division finale. The Dragons forced Carolina 99 into overtime before succumbing 5-4. The 99’s Jacob Meyers, Perry Winfree and Brian Robson were the Deebs Young, top dishman and top goalie honorees.

12U D1 division

The Carolina Fusion won four times to claim the division title, but its path was strewn with potential potholes. After an opening-game 6-0 win over the Speed Black, the Fusion barely got by the DSD Red 2-1 and 5-3 before being tied 4-4 by the Speed Black. The Fusion stepped up in the championship game, dropping the Red 7-4. Fusion skaters swept the division’s individual honors. Jordan Clayton was the top scorer, Travis O’Connor the top dishman and Harrison Drewitt the top goalie.

14U D2 division

The Speed didn’t let three consecutive losses to begin the qualifier cloud their t itle hopes. They went out and trimmed the Charlotte Checkers 3-2 in the semifinal, then blanked the DSD White 2-0 to take home the division championship trophy.

16U D1 division

The Blackout became the second team in Raleigh to win five games, including two wins each over the Wilmington Storm and Charlotte Checkers. The second win over the Checkers, 5-2, came in the division finale behind the sterling play of Deebs Young honoree Andrew McCauley, top dishman Matthew Burleson and top goalie Stephen Curdele.

18U division

In a 2Hot4Ice rarity, the Revolution had to face Team Carolina three times. But they won all three, including the title game 2-1 to claim the division crown. Not surprising, Revolution players  swept the division’s individual honors. Cameron Nixon was the Deebs Young points leader, Mike LoBue the top dishman and Jonathan Sommerville the top goalie.

As has always been the case, every team that competed in the Raleigh qualifier is eligible for 2Hot4Ice’s first National Games of the new decade, next June 24-27, 2010 at the SGAA Dual Decks in suburban Atlanta.

For the first time, each player at Raleigh is invited to try out for Team USA, which will represent the U.S. in international competitions, including next summer’s Junior Olympics. The tryout is scheduled for April 9-11 in Richmond, Virginia at Shooters Indoor Sportsplex.

Next up for 2Hot4Ice enthusiasts is 2010 Winter Nationals, Feb. 26-28 in Lakewood, Colo.