The Qubs behind solid goal tending by Kano Cook won 4 in a row to make it to the finals, loosing to the Jr. Ducks in overtime, a solid performance in the 8 team Squirt A division. The Qubs playing in the west division of the Squirt A Tournament grid drew game one against the Jr. Ducks. The Qubs and Ducks both played solid defense. With 4:49 left in the second period the Qubs scored, then 46 seconds later the Qubs scored again and took control of the game, ending with a 4 to 1 win. In game two against Santa Clarita Valley Blackhawks the Qubs out shot the Blackhawks 17 to 12, earning a 3 to 1 victory. In game 3 the Qubs were favored to beat the Pasadena Maple Leafs who had lost their two previous games. The Qubs started slow scoring only one goal midway throughout the first period. The Qubs came to life in the second and third periods winning taking control, leading to winning the game 7 to 1. In Game 4 the Qubs faced off against the San Diego Jr. Gulls. Qubs Goal tender Kano Cook and Gulls netminder Brody Cavatio were former teammate's playing for the San Diego Saints. The Qubs had a healthy respect for the Gulls knowing they would bring it for this game. At stake was a trip to the finals as well as "San Diego squirt A bragging rights." The Jr. Gulls came ready to play out skating and out hustling the Qubs in the first period, yet the Qubs played solid defense with Kano Cook stopping 8 shots by the Gulls. The Gulls again came out strong in the second period but again the Qub defense thwarted the Gulls ability to get shots off. Midway in period two the Gulls began to tire from their aggressive attack on the Qubs, with 7:52 to go on a Qubs breakout Zach Feldman hit Troy Grahl with a pass which Grahl put in the net. Three minuets later Austin Nchols stole the puck and scored unassisted, 53 seconds later Grahl again scored. The Gulls were unable to get any momentum back, the Qubs finished the game with a 4 to 1 win and the right to play in the finals on Saturday. Saturday morning the Qubs played the Jr. Ducks for the championship. The Qubs again played solid defense limiting the Jr. Ducks to only 8 shots on goal for the entire game. The Qubs played most of the first and second period in the Jr. Ducks end. The game remained scoreless until about three minutes into the third period when the Jr. Ducks scored. The Qubs kept the pressure on but could not score, out shooting the Jr. Ducks 9 to 2 in the third period. With 4:21 to go in the third period the Jr. Ducks again scored and the game looked over for the Qubs. With nothing to loose the Qubs attacked the offensive zone throwing everything they had at the Jr. Ducks, with 3:16 left Zach Feldman poked a rebound from a Brian Williams shot into the net. The Jr. Ducks were playing not to loose, but could not get the puck out of their end. With only a minute and some change left, Williams and Feldman again teamed up to score and tie the game 2 to 2. The Qubs kept the pressure on the last minute getting away four more shots at the Jr. Ducks net. The Ducks had one last rush in regulation time and when it looked like their forward was going to get an open break to the net, Troy Grahl was called for high sticking, trying to break up the play. The game went into overtime where with 3:01 left, Jr. Ducks forward Robert Tiera, fought for an open shot and scored a very nice goal, winning the game for the Jr. Ducks. The Qubs finished the tournament as the runner up, with 4 wins and 1 loss. Out scoring their opponents 20 to 6, with a solid defensive effort and goal tending. Details on the games are below..... |