Written by The Manchester Flames 18U team traveled to San Jose, California to participate in the 2019 CHIPOTLE USA HOCKEY YOUTH TIER II 18U National Championships. Although the team ended up going 0-3, they had a chance to compete in the highest round of competition their level offered. They played teams from Texas, Washington, and North Carolina. I was rooting for the locals, and receiving updates from various sources as well.
I wasn’t out there to watch, but I wish I could have been. I wasn’t able to watch the games on TV due to a heavy schedule of things to be done here at home. I did hear from many parents and friends though. I understand that everything didn’t go the Flames way, but rarely in any post-season or tournament run will things go a teams’ way. In all honesty, that’s life in a nutshell. Then, it’s about how you react to adversity, and whether you get back up when you’ve fallen, even if you were pushed, tripped, or cross-checked. Let’s not forget the opportunity for these players to play the sport you love, with friends and teammates, in a land that the United States specifically fought for almost 200 years ago because of its magnificence. The Flames team got to experience all of these things and more. Hopefully, it will be with fond memories that these players look back on the trip, the tournament, the season, and certainly the numerous seasons leading up to 2019.
Here are Game Summaries of each game out in San Jose, CA. Along with this year’s roster.