East Coast Eagles defeat Junior Hurricanes to capture 2008 Ryan D. Sobiech Championship

The East Coast Eagles PW Hockey team swept the Carolinas last weekend to win the 2008 Ryan D. Sobiech Peewee AA Hockey Tournament in Charlotte NC, avenging an earlier season championship loss to the Junior Hurricanes.

The Eagles started the tournament off strong, defeating the Charlotte Flames 6-0 with a second period goal by forward Ben Williams on an assist by defenseman, Riley Allen and two unassisted goals from Owen Harris and Jarett Meyer. The Eagles scoring momentum carried into the third period as Laythe Jadallah added 2 more goals and Nick Morris a third. Goalie Matt Mirabile posted the shutout win.

In the second game against the Charleston Wolverines, the Eagles got off to a faster start with 3 first period goals from Ben Williams, Laythe Jadallah and Vaden McManus. Defenseman Taylor Mathews and forward Jarett Meyer provided the scoring assists. Three additional goals in the third period from Vaden McManus, Laythe Jadallah and Eric Webb with assists from forwards Ben Williams and Seth Miller, capped off a convincing 6-1 win over the Wolverines. Goalie Alex Bisi stopped 21 of 22 shots with one goal against on a Wolverine power play.

The third game of the tournament provided a much anticipated rematch between the Eagles and the Junior Hurricanes. Having lost a close Regional Silver Sticks Championship game 2-1 to the Junior Canes in November, the Eagles proved their commitment to the comeback. "We knew we'd play again and also knew that it would be a different rematch", said Coach Kevin Morgan. "In November, we played without our top scorer, Laythe Jadallah, without our strongest power forward, Eric Webb (broken arm) and Kyle Hartman, one of our top defensemen played at about 50% with a bad flu". In this first Sobiech tournament rematch, however, the full strength Eagles dominated the game from the drop of the puck. Ben Williams led off the scoring with 2 goals, one being a shorthanded goal on a strong pressure steal and assist from Vaden McManus. Jarett Meyer and Seth Miller added the third and fourth goals with assists from Laythe Jadallah and Vaden McManus to finalize the 4-0 shutout victory over the Junior Canes. Eagles penalty killers Davis Hudson, Taylor Mathews, Kyle Hartman, Vaden McManus, Eric Webb, and brothers Riley and Jackson Allen worked overtime and proved to be key in this win, giving up no goals on 10 penalty kills, two of which were 5 on 3 penalties. Goalie Matt Mirabile posted the shutout win.

The Sobiech Championship Game once again pitted the East Coast Eagles against the Junior Hurricanes in a high intensity match up. The Hurricanes came out determined, strong and ready to play, dominating a flat Eagles team in the first two periods and taking what appeared to be a commanding 2-0 lead. The Junior Canes clearly had the momentum, with no shortage of fist pumping celebration both on and off the bench. Four minutes into the third period however, the Eagles broke through with a point blank, top shelf wrister from center Jackson Allen. Allen’s score was followed up late in the third period when center Laythe Jadallah fired a hard puck which ricocheted off the back of the Junior Canes goalie and into the net to tie the score and send the championship game into overtime. In the 10 minute overtime period, both teams played with increased intensity. The young Eagle team would not be denied and finally clinched the game and the Sobiech Championship on a power play goal. With about 30 seconds remaining on the power play, Defenseman Riley Allen fed the puck deep to Laythe Jadallah behind the Canes net. Jadallah walked it wide, drawing the Canes defenseman and threaded a precision feed to forward Ben Williams who rotated from the wing into the crease. Williams buried the game winning goal on a quick, top shelf wrist shot with just over a minute left in the overtime period. Goalie Alex Bisi posted the Sobiech Peewee Championship win and Goalie Matt Mirabile was awarded top honors in tournament goaltending for the highest save percentage with no goals against in his two shutout victories.

"Our kids showed a lot of grit today" said Coach Dave Trevor, "they could have easily folded when it was a 2-0 game, but they fought back ….that’s what makes a champion!". Coach Morgan echoed this by adding, "we've got a young team that knows how to win in big games, I'm proud of them all!"

The East Coast Eagles Peewees advance to the Southeast District Tournament in Charleston, SC where championship teams from D.C Metro, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida face off against each other enroute to the USA Hockey National Tournament.

Photos provided courtesy of Dean Swint, Digital Events & Sports Photography, LLC

EC Eagles want to thank Dean Swint for allowing us to post his photos. If you would like copies of these or other great photos, please visit www.digipicphotos.com.

DS17608: Eagles penalty killers Kyle Hartman and Jackson Allen swarm the Hurricanes.   DS13846: Eagles Goalie Matt Mirabile recognized as Top Sobiech Tournament Goaltender.   DS13883: Eagle Center Laythe Jadallah jams in a goal against the Charlotte Flames.   DS17936: Assistant Captain Ben Williams buries the game winning goal in the Sobiech Championship Game.   DS17558: Eagles Goalie Alex Bisi directs the defense as Davis Hudson cuts off the crease.   DS14953: Eagels Center Vaden McManus rips a slapshot past a Hurricane defender for a goal.

Photos provided courtesy of Dean Swint, Digital Events & Sports Photography, LLC www.digipicphotos.com