‘Birds, Hawks fall in semis
Defeats make for all-CSHL final

April 5, 2004

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Dubuque ThunderBirds’ and Minnesota Ice Hawks’ seasons came to an end today in Syracuse, N.Y., as each team lost in the semifinals round of the national tournament.

Dubuque fell to the Central States League’s Peoria Mustangs, 4-1. Ryan Evenson scored the lone goal for the T-Birds in the second period, with assists from Adam Ockuly and Josh Krob. In goal, Chris Gardeski stopped 40 shots.

The Ice Hawks lost to the CSHL’s St. Louis Jr. Blues, 5-3. Joel Gaulrapp notched a goal and two assists for Minnesota, while Mike Schneider and Matt Haverkamp added the other two tallies. Joey Spracklen made 45 saves for the Hawks.

The Blues and Mustangs will play for the national title tomorrow night.

'Birds, Hawks advance to semis
MJHL finishes round robin at nationals 5-0-1

April 4, 2004

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Minnesota Junior Hockey League ended the round-robin portion of the national tournament with an undefeated 5-0-1 record, as the Dubuque ThunderBirds (3-0) defeated the defending champion Phoenix Polar Bears of the Western States League, 4-2, while the Minnesota Ice Hawks (2-0-1) trampled Northern Pacific Junior League’s Portland Pioneers, 9-2, on the final day.

Both teams will advance to the semifinals to be played on Monday.

The T-Birds jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period on goals by Dan Leopold, Reed Lally and Derek Bergstrom and never looked back. Ryan Evenson added the other tally in the third. Between the pipes, Josh Skinner made 19 saves.

The T-Birds face off against the Central States League’s Peoria Mustangs in the first semifinal, while the Ice Hawks tangle with the CSHL's St. Louis Jr. Blues in the second. The winners will advance to Tuesday's national title game.

MJHL stays undefeated
Win, tie moves league to 3-0-1 at national tournament

April 3, 2004

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Minnesota Junior Hockey League stayed undefeated (3-0-1) on Day 2 of the round-robin portion of the national tournament, as the Dubuque ThunderBirds defeated the Intestate Junior League’s Connecticut Wolves, 6-3, while the Minnesota Ice Hawks skated to a 3-3 tie with the Central States League’s Peoria Mustangs.

The T-Birds were led offensively by Matt Sundberg, who scored two goals and two assists in the win over Connecticut. Mike Lauver chipped in a goal and an assist. In net, Chris Gardeski made 29 saves to earn the win.

The Ice Hawks got goals from James Gaulrapp, David Sweet and Brad Weichmann in their tie with Peoria. Wiechmann also added an assist. Between the pipes, Joey Spracklen made 41 saves.

The T-Birds will skate with the Western States League’s Phoenix Polar Bears on Day 3, while the Ice Hawks square off with the Northern Pacific Junior League’s Portland Pioneers.

MJHL perfect on Day 1
T-Birds, Ice Hawks get national tournament started right

April 2, 2004

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Minnesota Junior Hockey League went 2-0 at the first day of the round-robin portion of the Junior B national tournament in Syracuse, N.Y., as the Dubuque ThunderBirds upended the Metropolitan Junior League’s Connecticut Wolves, 4-3, and the Minnesota Ice Hawks defeated the Interstate Junior League’s Laconia Leafs, 6-4.

The T-Birds were paced by four different scorers, including Jake Williams' game-winner on the power play in the third period. In goal, Josh Skinner got the win, turning aside 21 shots.

The Ice Hawks were also led by a balanced scoring attack, as they got goals from six different players (Brad Wiechmann and James Gaulrapp each had a goal and two assists). Between the pipes, Justin Sgro made 28 saves.

The T-Birds face off against the IJHL’s Connecticut Whalers on Day 2, while the Ice Hawks tangle with the Central States League’s Peoria Mustangs.