North Branch C Squirts ended its regular season with an 11-0 win over St. Francis bringing their record to 16-3. Scoring for the Vikings were Zach Fairbanks, Chace Johnson assisted by Kolton Kiester, Zach Shepherd (2), Hunter Miska with a hat trick, John Jakubowski assisted by Fairbanks, Brett Klun (2) and Cole Lee assisted by Johnson. Samantha Blair was in the nets for the win.
Two tournaments were scheduled for post-season play. The first was in Princeton where a 2-1 record brought a third place finish. The first game against Princeton gained a 7-3 win with goals by Klun (unassisted), 2 for Miska assisted by Klun, Johnson (2), and Cole Lee (2) assisted by Zach Shepard. The second game was a hard fought loss to Iron River Wisconsin 3-4. Scoring were Johnson, Klun and Miska. The final game was a 12-1 win over St. Francis. Kyle Nielsen led the scoring with a hat trick. Johnson also earned a hat trick with the assistance of Tim Courtright who earned a playmaker that game. Other scorers were Shepherd (2), Kiester assisted by Klun, Jacob Cisar assisted by Justine Mendez, Klun assisted by Jakubowski, and Nick Walker assisted by Skye Sowka.
The end to the season came with a second place finish in the Isanti Jamboree with a win over Rogers. The solid defensive play by Shepherd, Fairbanks, Courtright, Mendez, Blair and Sowka aided in the outstanding goaltending by Kolton Kiester who had two breakaway stops and one timely diving stop while Rogers was on a power play, preserving a 3-1 victory. Scoring for North Branch all unassisted were Walker, Miska and Klun.
The parents of the players want to extend our thanks to Coaches Chris Fairbanks, Chris Courtright and Chuck Blair for their outstanding commitment to teaching the skills, sportsmanship and teamwork necessary for a very successful season.
