The Inland Empire Tournament Series’ Sun & Surf Labor Day Tournament was held over the Aug. 30-Sept. 2 weekend at Ontario Center Ice and LA Kings Icetown Riverside.

A total of 12 teams brought home banners at the conclusion of the thrilling, competitive weekend in Southern California.

8U B North
Champion: Ventura Mariners
Runner-up: Jr. Reign
The Mariners had the offense going, downing the Jr. Reign 8-1 to bring home the championship banner.

8U B South
Champion: Ventura Mariners
Runner-up: LA Jr. Kings
The Mariners again found their scoring touch, beating the Jr. Kings 7-2 to claim the title.

8U A
Champion: AV Avalanche
Runner-up: Jr. Reign (Carlsbad)
In a close championship game, the Avalanche took the championship with a 3-2 win over the Jr. Reign.

10U B
Champion: Jr. Reign (Westminster)
Runner-up: Jr. Reign (Carlsbad)
This battle of Jr. Reign clubs went to the Westminster team after an 8-3 win over the Carlsbad squad.

10U BB
Champion: Ventura Mariners
Runner-up: LA Jr. Kings
A back-and-forth title game went to the Mariners with a 6-4 victory over the Jr. Kings.

12U B
Champion: Mammoth Stars
Runner-up: Jr. Reign
Defense won out here as the Stars beat the Jr. Reign 3-1 to secure the championship.

12U BB
Champion: Ventura Mariners
Runner-up: LA Jr. Kings
Another closely-contested championship game saw the Mariners edge the Jr. Kings 3-2.

12U AA
Champion: Ventura Mariners
Runner-up: Jr. Reign (Dragescu)
Both teams’ defenses clamped down here, but it was the Mariners that picked up the championship banner with a close 3-2 win over the Jr. Reign.

14U B
Champion: California Heat
Runner-up: SC Flyers
Two evenly-matched teams met in the championship final as the Heat came out the victors with a 4-3 win over the Flyers.

14U A
Champion: Ventura Mariners (pictured at top)
Runner-up: Jr. Reign (Riverside)
The Mariners put together a complete game here, bringing home the championship banner after a 4-0 shutout over the Jr. Reign.

JV
Champion: IEU Wolverines
Runner-up: OCHC
The offense was on display for the Wolverines, getting to raise the banner after a 5-1 win in the championship game over OCHC.

Varsity
Champion: Jr. Reign 18U AA
Runner-up: Ventura Mariners
The oldest division’s title game saw the host Jr. Reign defeat the Mariners 3-1.

The next IE event on the 2024-25 schedule is the Fall Classic, scheduled for Nov. 29-Dec. 1. The Fall Classic is the biggest Thanksgiving tournament on the West Coast and will have division locations in San Diego, Orange County and the Inland Empire.

For more information and to register for future events, visit www.iehockeytournaments.com.

Photos/Que Images

— Matt Mackinder

(September 11, 2024)