Vipers, Golden Eagles win State Games titles

By Phillip Brents

CHULA VISTA, July 13, 2002 -- With three consecutive California State Games championship titles to their credit, it might be safe to call the Vipers an inline hockey dynasty. The Vipers won their third straight State Games gold medal by defeating another high profile area team, the NARCh Finals-bound Chula Vista Golden Eagles, in competition held at Skate San Diego in National City.

The 2002 California State Games inline hockey tournament produced championship titles in three age group divisions: 12-and-under, 14-and-under and 17-and-under. Three Chula Vista-based teams reached the championship finals, with two winning championships.

The Vipers captured the 17-and-under division title by defeating the Chula Vista Golden Eagles, 4-3. The Chula Vista Golden Eagles won the 14-and-under division with a 3-0 record, defeating the runner-up Nike Rockets, 4-1, third-place Riptide, 8-0, and fourth-place Patriots, 7-1.The Chula Vista Hawks finished runner-up to the CCM Hosers in the 12-and-under division.

“Every time we go out for the California State games, the guys want to go out there and play their hearts out,” said Vipers coach Gene Garcia, whose team jump-started its string of State Games titles by winning the 14-and-under division and then capturing back-to-back 17-and-under division championships.

The Vipers were led offensively by forwards Arturo Garcia, Donny McGraw, Everett Hinojosa and Jon Oberg and swing man Richard Garcia. Tommy Prewitt backstopped the team in the nets. Brandon Schaffer and Vincent Rappleyea also contributed to the team’s championship effort.

McGraw and Richard Garcia both scored twice in the championship game.

The Golden Eagles, who finished 1-2 in last month’s Tour Pacific Cup Finals in Anaheim, finished 2-2 in this year’s State Games field with both losses coming to the Vipers. The teams met in round-robin play prior to their championship rematch, with the Vipers again taking a close contest by a 3-2 score. The Golden Eagles defeated the La Sierra Eagles, last year’s State Games 14-and-under champions, by scores of 8-0 (preliminary play) and 7-0 (semifinals).

Close calls were the order of the day for the Golden Eagles in the Pacific Cup Finals. The Golden Eagles entered this year’s regional championships ranked at the top of the AA Tier Bantam Division but dropped two one-goal contests, 3-2 to the Tour Corona Edge and 4-3 to the Las Vegas Tour Rebels, to miss the playoff rounds.

The Golden Eagles will next gear up for the NARCh Gold Division Finals at the end of the month in Minnesota. Members on the runner-up State Games squad included Bryson Goon, Carl Horten, Spike Timmins, Erick Morgan, Jake Kalmonson, Joey Galeno, Matt Nauman, Scott Powers, Chad McElroy, Reuben Felizardo and Ryan Wiens.

The Golden Eagles 14 & under team, however, skated to a breakthrough performance by scoring wins against all three of its challengers in this year’s State Games tournament. The Golden Eagles opened with a 7-1 victory against the Patriots, then defeated the Rockets, 4-1, before wrapping up first place with an 8-0 mercy-rule win against the Riptide.

The Golden Eagles finished the Tour Pacific Cup regular season ranked among the top five AA Tier Pee Wee Division teams and posted a 1-2 finish in the Pacific Cup Finals. The team will also be competing at this year’s NARCh Finals in St. Paul’s Xcel Energy Center, the home of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild.

Team members of the State Games championship team include Bryan Bagalini, Casey Peterson, Albert Esquivel, Jesse Parker, Tommy Shoup, Zack McElroy, Adrian Rodriguez, James Arakaki, Andrew Watson, Gaelan O’Brien and Royce Leomo.

The Hawks, who captured the 12-and-under division in last year’s State Games tournament, overcame a 0-2 pool round performance to earn a berth in the 12-and-under division championship game by topping the Rink Rats, 3-0, in the single game-elimination playoff semifinal after initially falling to the Rink Rats, 5-2. The Hosers, who were led by Player of the Year Kelly Nash, shut out the Hawks, 8-0, in the title contest.

The State Games title was the second consecutive for the Hosers, who won last year’s 10-and-under division. Team members include Nash, Pat Mercer, Drew Ness, Ryan Knight, Kory Garvin, John Noris and goaltender Tyler “Bunny” Carrol.

The Hosers outscored the opposition 21-1 in three games. “The scoring was spread out. The defense was great. They all played super,” said coach Joe Noris.

The Hawks roster included players Reuben Benavides, Austin McDonald, Angelo Poirier, Jeremy Tanaka, Ian Nicklen, Andrew Goularte, Adrian Avalos, Omar Reynolds, Alex Penkin, Jacob Esparza, Alex Seiglen,Travis Tampeuco, A.J.Walker, Mark Rodriguez, head coach Frank Clamser and assistant coach Anthony Seiglen.

State Games Inline Hockey Scoreboard

July 13 at Skate San Diego, National City

12 & under Division

CCM Hosers 4, Chula Vista Hawks 0

CCM Hosers 9, Rink Rats 1

Rink Rats 5, Chula Vista Hawks 2

Playoff: Chula Vista Hawks 3, Rink Rats 0

Championship: CCM Hosers 8, Chula Vista Hawks 0

14 & under Division

Chula Vista Golden Eagles 7, Patriots 1

Nike Rockets 8, Riptide 0

Chula Vista Golden Eagles 4, Nike Rockets 1

Riptide 3, Patriots 2

Chula Vista Golden Eagles 8, Riptide 0

Nike Rockets 8, Patriots 0

Standings: Chula Vista Golden Eagles 3-0-0; Nike Rockets 2-1-0; Riptide 1-2-0; Patriots 0-3-0.

17 & under Division

Vipers 3, Chula Vista Golden Eagles 2

Vipers 7, La Sierra Eagles 0

Chula Vista Golden Eagles 8, La Sierra Eagles 0

Playoff: Chula Vista Golden Eagles 7, La Sierra Eagles 0

Championship: Vipers 4, Chula Vista Golden Eagles 3