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Pittsburgh Hornets Tournament Wrap Up: This invitational only tournament was another test for the Jr Flyers Midget team. This tournaments format was a little different than the straight 17-17-17 minute periods but used 26-26 minute half's. The opening game was against Pikes Peak Minors from CO on the Olympic sized rink. The Jr Flyers did not show up for this half of the game spotting Colorado a 3-0 lead while taking 5 penalties. After the ice cut and locker room discussion the Jr Flyers came out a little more energetic. Still shorthanded from the first half remaining penalty Dominic Morrone scored 43 seconds into the period assisted by Brian O'Neill. With an assist from Trey Milstead, Brian O'Neill scored on the power play to cut the game to 3-2. The Flyers used another power play goal this one from Tom Newman with an assist from John Williams to tie the game at 3-3 and forcing a 5 minute sudden death overtime period. Trey Milstead netted the game winner 1:23 into the overtime on passes from John Williams and Chris Ferry.

The second game featured two teams from each side of the state. Philadelphia Jr. Flyers ranked #16 Vs. the Pittsburgh Hornets ranked #5 nationally. This would be the first meeting between these two Pennsylvania powers this year. The Jr Flyers struck first, Kyle Izett scored off the opening face off from John Williams to take the lead. With play going back and forth the Flyers were called for a penalty. Kyle Izett scored his second of the game this one short handed. John Williams stole the puck from the Pittsburgh player to set up the short handed breakaway. The Jr Flyers added to the lead on a power play goal from Tom Newman. Everything was going the Jr Flyers way, until the referee's became involved in the game. With some back to back penalty calls and some power play goals the Pittsburgh was not going to go away. With the Jr Flyers holding onto a slim 4-3 lead late into game, Pittsburgh scored to tie the game at 4-4. The Jr Flyers felt the goal was scored because of the referee's non call of a Pittsburgh infraction on the Jr Flyers goaltender Dan Sullivan. Gaining nothing in the discussion of the play with the referee, the Jr Flyers were facing a fired up Hornets team. Pittsburgh was pressing and another late penalty call against the Jr Flyers set the stage for one of the prettiest goals of the game. Pittsburgh was in the Flyers zone working the puck around on the power play, Brian O'Neill intercepted a Hornet players pass and headed down the ice, leading a two on one short handed rush. John Williams was with him breaking to the net. The lone hornets defenseman caused O'Neill to come down the wing wide of the net, he slowed down and the Hornets defenseman dropped into a body slide to block the pass, Brian calmly waited until the defenseman slide past and passed the puck over to a flying John Williams. John roof the puck and the Jr Flyers scored their 2nd shorthanded goal of the game. Behind the solid goaltending of Dan Sullivan the Jr Flyers were able to run out the clock for the 5-4 victory.

After the exciting 1st game overtime win and a 2nd game that was a fast paced battle what would happen in the third game against a lesser known opponent, San Jose Sharks? This would be the first meeting every between these two clubs. The 7:30 am game was not the same caliber as the other games in the tournament and Philadelphia would struggle to win this close checking game. San Jose scored their only goal 59 seconds into the game and it took almost the whole first half for the Flyers to even the score. Frank Cross scored from Mike Cauley with 2:52 left in the half. The second half featured more of the same. The game looked like it would end up going into overtime until Brian O'Neill was able to come down the wing and tuck one under the crossbar with 59 seconds left. Dominic Morrone and Trey Milstead had the assists.

Game four was a rematch against Little Caesars whom the Jr Flyers had beaten earlier in Buffalo 5-3 on open net goal. This game was very similar to the earlier match up in Buffalo (see October News). John Williams got the Flyers on the board first with assists from Ryan King and Tom Newman. Little Caesars tied it up 7 minutes later. With half time left in the 2nd half gone Little Caesars scored to take the lead, less than 3 minutes later the Jr Flyers scored on a power play by Anthony Casale from Morrone to bring the game back to 2-2. Little Caesars used a shorthanded goal and added another even strength goal with 5 minutes remains. With Jr Flyers trailing 4-2 Tom Newman scored on a power play from Frank Cross, and Mike Cauley with 58 seconds left to give the Flyers hope. Pulling the goalie after a time out the best the Jr Flyers could manage was a post and were eliminated by Little Caesars 4-3

Congratulations to Forward Dominic Morrone (Philadelphia Flyers) and Forward Brian O’Neill (Philadelphia Flyers) for making the "All Prospects" Team. Player selections are not based off how many points someone got, there is simply more to the game than that. We base on production per game, game/team impact, college and pro potential, and past history. The “All Prospects” Team features two goalies, six defensemen, and twelve forwards.

Team Illinois now stands at an impressive 31-0 for the season. Team Illinois has won the Marquette, Chill, NIT, and now the Hornets Tournament.

Scouts in attendance included Colorado College, Penn State, Ohio State, RIT, and Robert Morris University from the college ranks and Tri-City, Mahoning Valley, Texarkana, and Cleveland in the USHL and NAHL for the three day event.