The Juneau Capitals claimed an 18-and-Under, Division A youth hockey title, grinding out four straight wins after opening the tournament with a tie.<\/p>\n
The Capitals relied on a balanced scoring attack, tight forechecking and timely goaltending to claim first in the three-day event hosted by Tok, March 12-14.<\/p>\n
Juneau faced opponents with larger rosters, and it played the semifinal and championship contest minus a key defenseman, who was injured in the third game.<\/p>\n
Coaches Mike Bovitz and John Bohan led the team, which traveled upwards of 1,000 miles – taking two flights and driving another 200 miles – before checking into their Tok hotel room.<\/p>\n
“This team kept the positive work ethic, a leave it out there one shift at a time and, all while not straying from the fun aspect of the game,” Bovitz said. “This spelled success.”<\/p>\n
Representing the Juneau Douglas Ice Association, the Capitals won the championship game in a rematch of the opener, a 1-1 tie versus Homer. This time, Juneau edged Homer, 2-1, on a pair of goals by Andre Peirovi.<\/p>\n
Trailing, 1-0, Peirovi tied the game with one second remaining in the first period. He scored the game-winning goal with 7:37 to play in the third.<\/p>\n
Juneau goalie Brayden Baxter stopped 26 of 27 shots in a game, including a late-game push by Homer.<\/p>\n
“The resilience and maturity the team showed throughout the state tournament was a testament to how players buying into having fun while trusting your teammates,” Bovitz said. “The stellar goaltending, small disciplines and hard work throughout the entire team is what produced a championship.”<\/p>\n
After opening the tournament with a tie, Juneau won its next game, defeating Healy, 3-0, on a pair of goals by Fin Shibler and one by Jack Cisney.<\/p>\n
Juneau won again, this time recording a 2-1 decision over Kenai on goals by Joey Meier and Peirovi.<\/p>\n
The win sent Juneau to the semifinals where the Capitals again produced a balanced offensive attack in a 3-0 victory over the Mat-Su Amateur Hockey Association. Juneau received goals from Shibler, Meier and Dylan Murdoch.<\/p>\n
Juneau was also led by forwards Sam Bovitz, who led the Capitals with five assists, and Cody Kesserling, plus defensemen Taylor Bentley, Colton Johns, Cody Roomsburg.<\/p>\n
Because of COVID-19 protocols, these players could not participate in Alaska’s high school state tournament, so they took advantage of their only post season opportunity.<\/p>\n
“In a COVID-19 year of unprecedented hurdles, the support of players, parents and coaching staff really shows how hard the players work at a game they love – hockey,” Bovitz said. “They showed incredible fortitude and created memories that will last for years.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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