Falcons Hockey Association

The Falcons U14s reached the Final Four and a Bronze Medal in the 2012 USA Hockey National Championships in Texas. The girls represented the Falcons, IL hockey and the Central District admirably with a record of 3-1-0-1 with first round wins over the Dallas Alliance and New Jersey Colonials (both 5-2) and a 2-1 shootout loss to the highly ranked East Coast Wizards (MA) to move on to medal play in the 12 team tournament. They entered the quarter finals as a no. 3 seed and won a heart stopper against the Pittsburgh Predators 2-1 in OT. The Falcons scored with 34 seconds remaining in regulation and the goalie on the bench and then closed it out on their third shift in OT.

They were eliminated by the eventual champion Alaska Icebreakers 4-1 in the semis later that day in a game that was closer than the score indicated and included an empty net goal. The Falcons started the game with great pressure and a 6-0 shot advantage but were not able to solve the Alaska tender. Alaska went on to beat the Buffalo Regals 2-1 in the championship game.

Both captains C Thomas and MC Newtown finished tied for 3rd in tournament scoring with 7 points (Thomas 6 G , 1 A, Newtown 3 G, 4 A) and goalie C Salazar finished 6th with a 1.88 GAA. All tournament details can be found at http://wwa.usahockey.com/Tournament/TournamentScheduleUser.aspx?EventID=2855&AgeDivisionID=12.

65,000 girls are registered to USA Hockey - about 120 make it to the two tier's final four - this was a season to remember. Congratulations Falcons!