California Stars get revenge; earn birth to Nationals

California Stars 1, San Jose Jr. Sharks 0

ANCHORAGE, AK - California Stars lost 5-4 in overtime to the San Jose Jr. Sharks in the California State Championship 21 days ago. But yesterday and today was different. The California Stars defeated San Jose 3-1 in the final pool play game yesterday, even though both teams knew they were meeting up the next day in the championship game. However, the result didn't change from the day before and the California Stars got revenge from losing to the Junior Sharks in the California State Championships, to win the Pacific District Championship and earn a Tier 1 U18 birth to Nationals. California Stars shut out the Junior Sharks 1-0, with Collin Warner getting the only goal in the game. Shots were pretty even with the Stars having a slight 29-27 advantage.  

This is a surprise to USA Midget Major hockey, as we're used to seeing regular Pacific representatives like LA Jr. Kings, Alaska All Stars, or LA Selects. 

California Stars seemed to have success at tournaments and in California league play. But, could that weak strength of schedule California played prove to hold up in the end? What we learned is that teams that aren't  TIEHL battled tested still have the ability to make post season runs. We saw LA Selects finish in last in CAHA regular season, and CAHA regular season champion LA Jr. Kings finish in fourth place at the California State Championships.

After all the dust has settled, what a great season for the San Jose Jr. Sharks. A regular season champion in the vastly improved NAPHL, and a great run to win the California State Championship, and almost caping it off with a Pacific District Championship. They finish with a 32-20-5 overall record and one of the best years in the program's history. Expecting great things in the future from the Junior Sharks hockey club. 

California will now head to Hartford, CT for the USA Hockey U18 Tier I Nationals. The Stars will take on the Mid-American district's champion, Massachusetts champion - Greater Boston Jr. Bruins, and the host team of the tournament.