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Hockey teams did well

To the Journal editor:

There was an excellent turnout for the youth hockey state regionals in February , and the outcome of that playoff saw all Marquette travel teams (Squirt AA, Peewee A and AA, Bantam A and AA, as well as Mite teams and girls Tier 3 U19) going to the state playoffs.

This, in itself, is remarkable, but the results in the playoffs were astonishing.

Our Mite teams (age 8 and under) competed against 32 teams and one, Marquette Blue, went 7-0 and won the state championship with combined scoring of 88-6.

The girls U 19 team won all five games, and won the state championship. In addition, five girls from Marquette went to play in Petoskey and that team won the state championship.

The Squirt AA (age 9, 10) fell in the state semifinals and ended 36-11-3, a great showing.

The Bantam A and Peewee A teams made it to the final eight teams , falling in pool play, which is a very fine performance.

The Peewee AA team won the state championship, with wins in the semi-finals of 4-0 and championship of 7-0, finishing 52-3-5 and ranked 11th nationally (this frankly is an under-ranking).

The Bantam AA American Legion beat the No. 9 team nationally in the semi-finals and then won the state championship 6-0 (the first in 24 years), raising its record to 55-5-2 and a No. 6 national ranking. They advance to the Nationals April 4-8 in South Bend, Indiana, competing for the national title against the regional winners from around the U.S. This will be an expensive endeavor representing Marquette, and they are requesting financial assistance. Details can be found on the Junior Hockey website at www.mqthockey.org.

Coupled with Marquette Senior High School advancing to the state semi-finals with a record of 21-6-2 for the first time in 10 years, Marquette hockey is back on the map in a big way this year. Junior hockey is a big part of our community, with cultural identity and pride, and let’s not forget a very big positive economic impact. Our small town hockey performed magnificently against much bigger and better funded programs from downstate.

This year is one of the best ever in youth hockey, and promises excellent hockey for years to come. Congratulations to all of the players and coaches and to MJHC, and our strong support for the Legion at the nationals.

FREDERICK HOENKE

Marquette

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