Waiting a year to return to the 12U state championships in Fairbanks was hard enough for the Juneau Capitals 12U B hockey team.
Turns out they had to wait a little longer than they should have to claim the championship.
Joseph Aline’s shot two minutes into overtime, which gave the team a 3-2 victory against Jr. Avalanche Anchorage, did not receive an immediate response from anyone — including the referees.
“We had no idea that the shot went in,” Gabriel Hansen, a 12-year-old player on the team, said. “The refs did not say anything. But when they raised their hands, everyone freaked out.”
“It was awesome,” Bailey Hansen, 12, said. “Some of us just started instantly crying because we were so happy and shocked.”
That emotion came after a rigorous six-month season that followed last season’s disappointing early departure from the state tournament.
Hansen said a lot changed from last season to this season.
“I thought this year we worked a lot harder,” Hansen said. “We worked more as a team instead of individuals.”
Kelton Griffith said the team felt more comfortable with one another.
“We just played better,” Griffith, 12, said. “We were better at playing with each other.”
Macabee Brna said he had to change his mentality from the team he played on last year to his new squad.
“The team I was on last year, I was more of a role player,” Brna, 12, said. “I had to lead this team. I had to help teach some of the other players. I think I helped get the players more engaged in the game.”
First-year player Matthew Plang said the experience of his teammates contributed to the championship.
“A lot of the guys have played together for a couple years,” Plang said. “I think that helped.”
The journey to the championship was a complete reversal from last year. The team lost 14-1 in its first game last year. This year, the first game went in the Capitals’ favor and helped build momentum going forward. After going up 2-0 on power play goals by Keegan Clancy and Brna, the Mustangs Farmer came back to tie the game. However, unlike last year’s squad, the Capitals did not hang their heads.
“It was pretty typical of us,” Aiden Allison, 12, said about giving up the lead. “But, this year, we just got a little tired of that and we fought hard.”
That change in mentality showed as Clancy and Hansen each scored in the third period, giving the Capitals a 4-2 victory. Goalie Caleb Friend also made an impressive save to keep the game tied.
“Caleb was going one way and had to reach back to make a great glove save,” coach Kevin Hansen said.
“It was really important,” Luke Bartlett, 12 said. “It got everyone pretty pumped up.”
“We just never gave up,” Clancy, 12, added.
The coaching staff, coach Hansen said, kept players motivated by focusing on little successes throughout the season. Hansen also mentioned while winning the championship was exciting, he also noticed something else from the group.
“They were always motivating each other,” he said. “They were always optimistic and to see 11- and 12-year-olds with that kind of maturity was a very a proud moment.”
• Contact reporter Gregory Philson at gphilson@juneauempire.com or call at 523-2265. Follow him on Twitter at @GTPhilson.
