The Inland Empire Tournament Series, created and hosted by the Jr. Reign, presented its Spring Breakaway April 15-17 at Center Ice Arena and Icetown Carlsbad, with six teams crowned division champions.

Of the half-dozen championship games, five were decided by three or fewer goals.

8U B
Champs: Jr. Reign White
Runner-up: Jr. Reign Black
In this battle between teams from the same organization, the Jr. Reign White team came away with a hard-fought 4-3 victory over the Jr. Reign Black team to bring home the championship banner.

8U A
Champs: SDIA Oilers
Runner-up: San Diego Jr. Gulls
The Oilers captured the division title with a 5-2 win over the Jr. Gulls 5-2.

12U
Champs: Jr. Reign Silver
Runner-up: Jr. Reign Black
Another championship game between Jr. Reign teams saw the Jr. Reign Silver’s scoring attack knock off the Jr. Reign Black team by a 9-3 count. The Jr. Reign Silver team outshot the Jr. Reign Black team 18-13.

12U AA
Champs: SDIA Oilers
Runner-up: Empire Hockey Club
SDIA had four different goal scorers, including two from Dylan Yu, and went on to down Empire 5-1. Empire spoiled the Oilers’ shutout bid with four minutes remaining in the third period. Shots were 18-11 in favor of SDIA.

JV/High School
Champs: Groon Squad
Runner-up: Fresno Jr. Monsters
The Groon Squad scored the game’s first four goals and held on the rest of the way to defeat Fresno 4-2. Final shots were 10-5 for the Groon Squad.

Midget/High School
Champs: Jr. Reign Black
Runner-up: Jr. Reign White
The third championship game between Jr. Reign teams had the Jr. Reign Black squad upending the Jr. Reign White team by a 4-1 score.

The next event in the Inland Empire Tournament Series is the Memorial Day Showdown, which is scheduled for May 27-30.

For more information or to register for the Memorial Day Showdown or any other Inland Empire Tournament Series event, visit www.jrreign.com/tournaments.

Photos/Top Team Photography

— Matt Mackinder

(April 26, 2022)