Firebird Mites win division title in Thanksgiving Shootout            

DYHA’s youngest squad led all four Firebirds squads at the 11th Annual AHC Thanksgiving Shootout, as the Mite A squad outscored its opponents 53-5 in five contests en route to a 5-0 record and a championship banner.

            The Mite As defeated the Jr. Coyotes 9-1 in the championship contest on Sunday, Nov. 27 at Polar Ice Peoria. “Our team played very unselfishly all week. We moved the puck and made plays that are very rare to see at the Mite level,” said Mite A coach Zac Fryer. “This group is relentless on the forecheck and the backcheck. Our defensemen are strong on the puck and really add to the offense. All in all, it was a complete team effort.”

            DYHA’s Squirt ’01 squad fell just short of a banner of its own. The Squirts gained a 7-1 win over Arizona Hockey Union and a 6-1 victory over the Anaheim Wildcats before falling to the Jr. Coyotes, 3-1, in its division championship game. The Squirts posted a 2-3-0 overall record in the Shootout.

            The Firebirds’ Bantam ’98 AA and U16 AAA teams both finished 0-2-2 in their respective divisions. However, Bantam coach Alex Hicks said the tournament was a fruitful one. “Overall, it was a very good development weekend for our players,” he said. “We’re starting to learn how to compete as individuals and play as a team, and it’s a good sign as we reach the midway point of our season.”