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| March 8, 2009
By Daryn Goodwin
Michigan Regional Wrap-up
Silver/Club Qualifier, March 6th-8th
|  Our first regional at Total Roller Hockey in MI was a blast!
Our first regional qualifier was a huge success. Not everything can be judged on the number of teams, and in the case of this 20-team event, I’m judging it by the smiles and compliments by those who participated. For many it was their first taste of NARCh. In fact for some, it was their first tournament period. It’s the most satisfying thing that we do to be able to show people a great time at an event and get them even more excited about the sport.
This tournament wouldn’t have happened if it were not for the hard work of Dave Zarem and Matt Koleski. It started with them convincing people that there’s a place for them at NARCh. In this part of the country where the big Dumars Event attracts some of the best teams in the country, it’s hard to convince lower level teams to play. This event offered some great competition for these teams and also got them properly qualified for the Finals in Mississauga. (seeds will be up later this week)
The divisions broke down as follows:
Mite Division – The RBK 98’s went 3-0 in the round robin, but were challenged in their first game by Little Caesars Fieldhouse, a game they won 4-3. The younger Detroit Mission Stars 00 played up and managed to tie their first game against the TRH Bandits, 5-5. Little Caesars and TRH Bandits were evenly matched, but the Bandits won 5-3 to secure their spot in the championship against the RBK 98’s. The championship game had plenty of scoring. Austin Neirynck and Brandon Glasser scored 4 goals apiece for RBK 98’s and they took the title over the TRH Bandits 11-5.
Squirt Division – The 4 team squirt division was exciting right down to the final breakaway goal to end the division. In the round robin the Motown Mustangs tied both the Mission Storm and Storm Brewing. Storm Brewing beat the Mission Storm, so they landed the #1 seed and the Motown Mustangs advanced with their ties. The Sharks were the fourth team in the division and they had a pretty rough first NARCh experience, losing to the other 3 teams. In the championship the Mustangs jumped out to a two goal lead, only to watch the Storm Brewing storm back and tie it 2-2. The game went into overtime and Nolan Bianchi got sprung on a breakaway and made a nice backhand move that would seal the game and first place for the Motown Mustangs
Peewee Division – In the round robin the best game was between the Wildcats and Little Caesars Fieldhouse, which ended in a 2-2 tie. The Mission Stars 12u were in a little over their heads against the older boys, but the did play a tough game against the Mission Storm that they lost 5-2. The championship was a rematch between the Wildcats and Little Caesars Fieldhouse and was more of a shootout than the first one. Little Caesars took this one 6-4, on the back of 4 goals by Dalton Czaiczynski.
Bantam Division – There were some talented teams in this division, lead by the Patriots who went through the round robin undefeated. They did have close games against the Motor City Moose and the Detroit Mission Stars 93’s. The DMS 14’s also played up and gain some experience against the bigger, stronger boys. The championship was a great game and tied 3-3 it looked destined for overtime. With under 20 seconds to go the Stars got caught in transition and Justin Mikitaroff chipped the puck off the boards to Tyler Hantman who picked it up for a breakaway. The Stars defenseman raced after him and got a piece of Tyler, but he shielded the puck with his body and buried the puck as both defensemen went crashing into the net in their reckless pursuit. It was the last game and last goal of the tournament, ending the event on a very fitting note.
Men’s Division – The Motor City Assault just took 2nd at a great East Coast Winternational Event in NY and looking for a 1st in this one, but they would have to get through a tough Detroit Mission Stars team. The Senators and TMD rounded out the division and a great match up for each other, but The Stars and Assault seemed to be a bit better and beat them both. In the championship game the Assault struck first, but the game went back and forth with 5 lead changes and the Stars were on top with a minute to go, 3-2. With 55 seconds to go Geoff Cary tied the game and 22 seconds later Jason Yokubison put the Assault in the lead. They would also add an empty net goal to take the title 5-3.
There were NHL Junior All-Stars selected in each division and those players pictures and bio’s can be found on our site later this week, so please check back.
On a last closing note, I’d like to thank Jim Gorney and all of the TRH Staff for being great hosts. If this was your first taste of NARCh and you want to play more against teams the same level, please let us know. We’re throwing around the idea of having a separate division of silver/club at the Dumars Qualifier in May. There will be plenty of great competition there with teams qualifying in platinum and gold, but we want to expand and get everyone involved in this great traditional event.
I’m looking forward to getting home and relaxing for a day before I start to really shape up Florida, New Jersey, and San Jose that are all coming up in just a few weeks.
 
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