Breckenridge CO, 03-12-2006

The Jr. Eagles Minor A team was undefeated in league play (13-0-2) and won their first two league playoff games (including a 4-3 win over Aspen) before losing to Aspen twice last Sunday (5-4 in overtime and 2-1) in the league championships.

The Eagles entered the State Playoffs as the number three seed, facing Aspen for the fourth time in eight days. The Junior Eagles outworked Aspen throughout the game, recording a 3-0 win behind goalie Josh Smith, who recorded the shutout.

The Junior Eagles' opponent in the championship game, Hyland Hills Midget Minor A-1, came into the game with a record of 37-0-2, having won every tournament they entered and ranked third in the nation at the Minor A level according to one website. But the Junior Eagles had scrimmaged Hyland Hills on February 19 and felt confident that, as the game wore on, the bigger Jaguars would tire.

This game plan worked to perfection. Key to the Minor A effort was the outstanding effort of goalie Josh Smith, who stopped 31 Jaguar shots. Zach Bever scored an unassisted goal less than two minutes into the game to get the Junior Eagles onto the board and Seamus O'Connor, assisted by Robbie Jones, tied the score at 2-2 with just 1:56 remaining in the second period. After a quick Jaguars goal to start the third period, Reilly McCluskey netted the game tying goal with just 2:30 remaining in the third period, assisted by Lee Foley. Reilly McCluskey also converted the game winner 5 minutes and 59 seconds into the overtime, assisted by Wyatt Lamond.

Final Score: Jr. Eagles 4, Hyland Hills 3.