Championship Recaps
This year’s Denis Duplanti Memorial Tournament, held over the weekend of May 10-12, showcased promising young talent in youth hockey, with teams from the 10U to 18U divisions battling it out. The tournament served as a vibrant celebration of Denis Duplanti’s legacy, highlighting the competitive spirit and sportsmanship among the participants.
10U AA Championship Game Recap
The Ashburn PP Selects dominated the NJ Raiders (Black) with a decisive 6-0 win in the 10U AA championship. The Selects controlled the game from the start, outshooting the Raiders 11 to 5. The scoring began early with Brodie Develli's unassisted goal in the first period, which also stood as the game-winner. The Selects continued to build their lead with goals in each period, including two contributions from Max Lu, who had a standout game. The third period saw a flurry of goals that solidified the Selects' commanding lead, showcasing their cohesive team play and strategic execution.
10U A Championship Game Recap
HLH Elite (Major) secured a close 4-3 victory over Mount Laurel Jackals in the 10U A championship. HLH Elite showed a slight advantage in attack, registering 23 shots on goal to the Jackals' 16. The decisive moment came in the third period with a game-winning goal that ensured their lead. The game also saw effective power plays and a critical shorthanded goal, underscoring the strategic depth both teams brought to the final.
10U B Championship Game Recap
In the 10U B championship, Atlantic Fire claimed a solid 4-2 victory over Brandywine Outlaws. Both teams started evenly, each scoring once in the first period, but Atlantic Fire pulled ahead in the second period with two unassisted goals by Mason Palmer, including the game-winner. Atlantic Fire maintained their lead with effective plays, outshooting the Outlaws 18 to 13. In the third period, Palmer capped his standout performance with a power play goal, completing a hat trick and securing the win for his team. Despite a late goal from Anson Hall of the Outlaws, Atlantic Fire held on to their lead to take the championship.
12U A Championship Game Recap
The Ashburn Power Play Selects secured a 6-3 victory over the East Coast Yeti in the 12U A division final at the Denis Duplanti Memorial Tournament. The Selects displayed strong offensive skills right from the start, establishing a 3-1 lead in the first period. The game remained competitive with both teams scoring in the second period, but Ashburn's effective use of power plays and a key shorthanded goal helped extend their lead. The game-winning goal came from Hudson Freudiger, who capitalized during a power play situation, ensuring Ashburn maintained their momentum to clinch the championship title.
12U B Championship Game Recap
In the 12U B championship, MAS sealed a clean 2-0 win against the Hollydell Selects. The game unfolded with intense defense from both sides, resulting in a goalless first period. The deadlock was broken in the second period by Colin Maxwell of MAS, who scored the game-winning goal with an assist from Avery Jones. MAS extended their lead in the third period with a power play goal by JW Jennings, assisted by Connor Nickles, solidifying their victory and capping off their undefeated tournament run.
14U A Championship Game Recap
The Ashburn Power Play Selects overcame an early deficit to secure a 3-1 victory against the Blue Berrys Hockey Club (Berry) in the 14U A final. The game started with the Blue Berrys taking the lead through an unassisted goal by Vincent Gulotta. However, Ashburn responded robustly in the second period with two goals, including the game-winner on a power play by Brayden Flowers, assisted by Dylan Cox. Ashburn solidified their win with an additional goal by Flowers early in the third period, demonstrating strong offensive execution and resilience.
16U A Championship Game Recap
In the 16U A championship, the NJ Raiders maintained their unbeaten streak with a solid 3-1 win over the Long Beach Titans. The Raiders established an early lead in the first period with two goals by Giovanni Gemellaro, including a power play goal and the game-winning goal. Despite a scoreless second period, both teams competed fiercely, with the Raiders extending their lead in the third through an unassisted goal by Michael Gemellaro. The Titans managed to find the net late in the game with Vinny Sampogna scoring unassisted, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit. The NJ Raiders' effective use of scoring opportunities and strong defensive play clinched their victory in the final.
18U AA Championship Game Recap
The DP Selects secured a convincing 4-1 victory over the NJ Raiders in the 18U AA championship. The game began intensely, with both teams scoring in the first period, but DP Selects quickly took control. Conor Kane and Chase Strange collaborated for a power play goal, followed closely by Strange's game-winning goal, setting the pace for the Selects. Despite a scoreless second period, the Selects extended their lead in the third with two additional goals, including Logan Hood's unassisted effort and another from Strange, sealing their dominant performance. The DP Selects' strategic play and effective finishing were key to their triumph in the final.
The Denis Duplanti Memorial Tournament closed on a high note, leaving a lasting impression of thrilling matches and sportsmanship. As teams dispersed, the echoes of their hard-fought battles and the camaraderie they displayed remained, underscoring the enduring influence of Denis Duplanti on youth hockey.
