Thunderbirds are National bound again

Colorado Thunderbirds 7, Dallas Stars Elite 2

Earlier in the week, the host-team Dallas Stars Elite fed off the home crowd to defeat the pre-tournament favorite Colorado Thunderbirds in round robin play. Later, Dallas Stars Elite won Pool B, and the Thunderbirds finished second as both advanced to the semifinals. That loss seemed to send a message to one of the favorites to win nationals this year. Colorado smacked their in-state rival Colorado Rampage by a 5-0 score in the semifinals, and followed it up with a 7-2 drubbing of the Dallas Stars Elite in the championship. The Thunderbirds showed no mercy as they were up 5-0 on the Dallas Stars Elite after two periods in the championship game. 


Colorado finished in second place overall in the TIEHL, and first in the TIEHL's West Division. The Thunderbirds take a 54-5-8 record into the national tournament, and definitely one of the teams to challenge for the national title. Also, Colorado has experience with players who captured the U16 National title last year, the first national title for a team from Colorado in Tier I.


Also, a great year for the Dallas Stars Elite. They finish with a 28-17-7 record with one of the toughest strength of schedules in the country. They ended in second place in the TIEHL Mid-Am Division, behind #4 nationally ranked St. Louis Blues. Dallas came up with many quality wins this year, and could possibly finish the season in the top 10 of the country. Dallas Stars Elite program continues to be the premier hockey club in Texas, staving off good competition like the Dallas Ice Jets and Dallas Alliance Bulldogs.  


The Thunderbirds are placed in Pool A, and are scheduled to play New York's state champion, the Central district's champion, and Atlantic district's champion in round robin play.