Championship Notebook: Day 1

WEST CHESTER, Pa. — With a District Championship and a trip to Nationals on the line, the stakes couldn’t be any higher.

16U AA 

Genesis Hockey Club lost a tough one against Team Philadelphia in the first match of the weekend, falling 4-1. After conceding two early goals, Genesis were able to battle back and get within a goal, thanks to a Cole Gainsley slapshot. Unfortunately, the comeback wasn’t to be, as Team Philadelphia were able to rip off two more goals to put the game out of reach. Genesis will get their chance to pay them back tomorrow, when they face down an elimination game.

14U AA

Genesis Hockey Club defeated the Wissahickon Warriors, putting themselves just one win away from a Nationals berth. Genesis struck quickly with a power play goal from Aiden North, taking a 1-0 lead into the second period. Neither team were able to muster any points until the opening minutes of the third period, when the Warriors’ William Podulka tied the game. That seemed to wake Genesis up, as came screaming back to take the lead again with a goal from Declan Leahy. Genesis played throttling defense for the remainder of the game, finally scoring an empty net goal with thirty seconds remaining to put the game out of reach. Now, just one game separates Genesis from a trip to Las Vegas. 

18U AA

The Quakers took a difficult loss against Team Philadelphia, as they were blanked 3-0 in the first period. Clayton Smart was finally able to get them on the board in the second period, but by that time, it was too little too late. The good news for the Quakers: they get another chance to take the series to three games. The bad news? It’ll be a win or go home game. We’ll see if they can rise to the occasion.