Storm finishes second

• Hockey players

Team Photo players from left to right: Front Row: Connor Sullivan, Konrad Kausch 2nd Row: Nate Swanson, Logan Dushkiin, Cody Costley, Isac Mosher, Josh Locker, Dylan Jouppi, Reece Ward, Zach Carson Standing Back Row: jack Batlam, Ben Harnell, Ryder McMillen, Etan Mageau, Griffan Lehet, Ian Fisher, Caden Costley Coaches: Dusty McMillen, Cory Ward, Derek Locker, Dave Fisher

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The 2002 Northern Storm finished its AAA 2012 hockey season last weekend in Minneapolis. The team is composed of players from Silver Bay, Two Harbors and Duluth.

Silver Bay goalie Connor Sullivan and center Ryder McMillen teamed up with Two Harbors goalie Konrad Kausch, twin forwards; Caden & Kody Costley, and Nate Swanson along with 12 other players from Duluth and competed on three rinks at the Plymouth Ice Center during the Easton Hockey Club’s Summer Finale Classic. Over 100 teams competed in 16 different divisions at 8 Minneapolis ice arenas.

The Storm started their weekend with a game against the Junior Rage, and secured their first victory with an impressive team effort finishing 6-2. Later that night, they played Miracle Back and lost in a tough match 4-2. On Saturday, they beat The Pond Black 14-2 and Reebok Nationals 11-3. On Sunday in the semi-final, they beat the Wisconsin Bucks 8-1, bringing them to the championship match against the undefeated Miracle Black team, to whom the Storm lost on Friday.

At 3 p.m. in Plymouth’s Rink B the crowd roared as they rose to their feet cheering on the #2 seed Storm who took to the ice first. A minute later the Miracle Black’s fans rose to their feet to welcome their team onto the ice. While Storm net minder Konrad Kauch made nine impressive saves, Miracle drew first blood scoring the only goal of the first period and they outshot the Storm 10-6. The second period concluded with each team scoring three more goals and a 4-3 lead for Miracle Black. Second period Storm Goals by Ryder McMillen, Josh Locker and Zach Carson, while outshooting Miracle 10-6, gave the Storm renewed confidence and had the fans sitting on the edge of their seats. Two Storm goals were scored in the third period, including an amazing spin around shot by Josh Locker, giving the team its first lead of the game and momentum soundly in their favor as the game clock wound down. But, with just minutes left in regulation play, Miracle’s #15 tied it up, forcing the game into overtime.

The crowd rose to their feet and a thunderous roar again filled the arena as the puck dropped for the 5 minute four-on-four overtime period. Both teams took their fans on an emotional roller coaster of a ride as they raced up and down the rink with each team getting off three more shots, but not scoring. The contest concluded in a 5-man shoot out with the Storm’s Ethan Mageau scoring its only goal. The Miracle Black team had prevailed in one of this season’s most exciting AAA game finishes. The Storm was clearly disappointed in its second place finish. However, the fans of both clubs cheered their players on with yet another thunderous round of applause which lasted throughout the team handshakes and into the awards presentations, putting smiles back on most Storm team member’s faces. We as parents and spectators couldn’t have been more proud of our young athletes. This game truly epitomized what youth hockey is all about. Well done, lads!

The 2002 Northern Storm is led by Head Coach Cory Ward, and assistant coaches Dave Fisher, Dusty McMillen and Derek Locker. For more information on Northern Storm AAA Hockey, please visit: www.northernstorm.net

Tags: lake county, sports, hockey