The Inland Empire Tournament Series, created and hosted by the Jr. Reign, continued its 2022-23 season Nov. 25-27 with the Fall Classic at Icetown Carlsbad, Icetown Riverside, Ontario Center Ice, and Toyota Arena.

A total of nine teams brought home championship banners at the conclusion of the thrilling Thanksgiving weekend.

8U Acorn South
Champion: San Diego Saints
Runner-up: SDIA Oilers
The Saints brought home the championship by doubling up the Oilers 4-2.

8U Scarecrow South
Champion: San Diego Jr. Gulls
Runner-up: Jr. Reign
In a tight, competitive contest, the Jr. Gulls took the banner by beating the Jr. Reign 4-3.

8U North
Champion: California Wave
Runner-up: Jr. Reign
Offense was the name of the game as the Wave secured the title with a 10-7 win over the Jr. Reign.

10U BB
Champion: Jr. Reign Riverside
Runner-up: Jr. Reign Carlsbad
In a battle of Jr. Reign squads, the Riverside group downed the team from Carlsbad 5-2 as Liam Novin-Kashani collected a hat trick in the win. Tristan zur Nieden and Foster Million also scored as Cade Shipley and Andrew Morales shared time between the pipes. For Carlsbad, Nolan Thompson had a goal and an assist, Kaito Marcial scored, and Brian Miller and Kivik Jamack played well in goal.

10U (pictured at top)
Champion: Jr. Reign
Runner-up: Sonoma County Flyers
Carter Hubbard‘s hat trick plus an assist led the way as the Jr. Reign defeated the Flyers by a 5-3 count. Riley Driscoll, also with an assist, and Grayson Usary added goals as Jacen Mower chipped in two assists. In goal, Liam Kinney was sharp in getting the win. For the Flyers, Michael Pustilnikov notched a pair of goals, Chris Brebric added a goal, and Brynn Godon tacked on a pair of helpers. Oliver Stroba and Aaron Favela shared time in the Flyers’ cage.

12U BB
Champion: SDIA Oilers
Runner-up: Jr. Reign Riverside
This thriller was tied 1-1 after regulation and overtime before the Oilers won it in a shootout. Max Osborne (SDIA) and Oleksandr Kyrylenko (Jr. Reign) scored in regulation before Giovannie Zuniga Hulzar‘s goal was the difference maker in the shootout. Charlie Wood was the winning goalie for the Oilers while Rene Michaels was sharp for the Jr. Reign.

14U A
Champion: Pasadena Maple Leafs
Runner-up: Jr. Reign
The Maple Leafs’ Adrian Beaudry potted two goals with an assist as Pasadena toppled the Jr. Reign 5-2 to bring home the banner. Grayson Ackerman, Wilfred Heitritter and Jayson Hurtado also netted goals for the Maple Leafs. Andualem Fisher contributed two assists and Domenic McCoy stood tall in net. For the Jr. Reign, Rivers Chapparosa registered a goal and an assist, Jason Kim scored, and Sam Buscaglia played strong in the crease.

JV
Champion: Ventura Mariners
Runner-up: Carlsbad United
The Mariners used two goals and an assist from Mikhail Evdokimov to down Carlsbad United 5-3. Logan Furman, Gabriel Aversa and Hayden Bruininga also scored, and Gabriel Gonzalez picked up the win between the pipes. Robert Goldey tallied twice for CU, Dylan Skene scored, and Matthew Day played well in the Carlsbad net.

Varsity
Champion: Empire Hockey Club 16U AA
Runner-up: Empire Hockey Club 18U AA
The battle between a pair of Empire teams saw the 16U team get bragging rights after a 6-0 shutout in the championship game. Alexander Wood and Ashton Spector shared the shutout while Ethan Lagasca scored twice, and Rafe Armstrong chipped in with a trio of assists. Seth Morris had a goal and an assist, Jake Torgan two assists, and Joshua Jenike, Carson Woolcott, and Liam Guolfoyle added a goal apiece. Ethan Han played goal for the Empire 18U squad.

The next IE Tournament Series event is the MLK Challenge, which is scheduled for Jan. 13-16.

For more information or to register, visit www.jrreign.com/tournaments.

Photos provided by Jr. Reign Hockey Club

— Matt Mackinder

(November 30, 2022)