The Inland Empire Tournament Series MLK Shootout was staged Jan. 14-17 at Icetown Carlsbad and Icetown Riverside, with nine teams crowned division champions.

Three titles were decided in overtime.

8U A East
Champs: SDIA
Runner-up: California Golden Bears
The Oilers claimed the championship with a hard-fought 7-4 win over the Golden Bears.

8U A North
Champs: SDIA
Runner-up: Los Angeles Jr. Kings
Lainey Nava Anderson only allowed one goal for the Oilers, whose strong offense led the team to a 7-1 victory over the Jr. Kings.

8U A West
Champs: San Diego Jr. Gulls
Runner-up: Las Vegas Storm
The Jr. Gulls scored often against the Storm to grab the banner in an 8-1 win.

8U B East
Champs: Jr. Reign Carlsbad
Runner-up: Ontario Moose
In a thrilling finish, the Jr. Reign found the back of the net for a 7-6 overtime victory on home ice.

8U B North
Champs: Las Vegas Storm
Runner-up: Jr. Reign Black
The Storm’s offense was too much for the Jr. Reign in a lopsided win for the championship.

8U B West
Champs: California Gold Rush
Runner-up: San Diego Jr. Gulls
In a very tight game, the Gold Rush was one better than the Jr. Gulls, taking the title in a 7-6 nail-biter.

12U
Champs: Ontario Moose
Runner-up: San Diego Jr. Gulls 10U
Wes Waites had two goals and two assists while Max Halter posted a hat trick and Ralph Bracamonte scored twice to lead the Moose to an 8-2 win and the title. Eben Austin chipped in two assists and Wyatt Waites also scored.

14U
Champs: OCHC
Runner-up: Ontario Moose
Ryan Kovats was the overtime hero for OCHC, scoring the winner 2:45 into the extra session for the 2-1 win. Amir Youssef scored in regulation and Samuel Cisneros earned the win in goal. Joseph Dimichina scored the lone Moose goal and Grady Amen was solid between the pipes.

Midget/Varsity
Champs: Stingrays
Runner-up: Jr. Reign 16U AA
Max Martinov netted the winner 3:31 into overtime for a 3-2 win. Edward Balasz and Kale Chominsky also scored to back Jacob Malo’s win in goal. Payton Hixon had a goal and an assist for the Jr. Reign and Jaiden Millender added a goal. Ethan Han was stellar in net.

The next event in the Inland Empire Tournament Series is the Presidents’ Day Open, which is scheduled for Feb. 18-21.

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

Photos/Top Team Photography

— Matt Mackinder

(January 26, 2022)