It was a big day for the Machine Orange on Sunday.  The ’99, ’01, 02, and ’03 teams won championships and a semblance of their ’00 team lost in the finals and their ’04 team lost in the ’03 AAA division to the ’04 Miracle Gold.

First the ’99 Orange held off the MN Icemen 4-2. Sammy Walker lead the Orange with 2 Goals and Jack Roebbel had an incredible 47 saves. In the ’00 Division, The EuroAmerican Red knocked off Team Attack 6-2, Jack Perbix had two goals and an assist for the Reds.  The ’01 Orange was impressive the entire weekend.  They cruised against Team Sweet Hands winning 6-2.  Drew Hellison had a goal and two assists for the Orange.

2002

Arguably the most talented pool of players in Minnesota is the ’02 birth year.  The ’02 Blades proved that they are a top team in North America.  The Machine Orange and Machine Black boast talented rosters. And then consider the talent that the Euro American Red team, Miracle Gold and Legacy have and you have a great class of kids.  In Sunday’s Final between the ’02 Orange and the ’02 Red, the Reds got on the board early when Jack Smith scored on a pass from Connor Kelly. Later in the first, the Orange got going when Tristan Broz got loose and scored on a nice burst and move to tie it 1-1.  A minute later Broz got a worker goal.  The Orange was putting heavy pressure on the Reds when an odd angle shot ricocheted to a wide open Broz who gave the lead to the Orange 2-1 after 1. The Orange continued to outwork and out pressure the Reds in the second period. The Orange got two goals one one low shot by Jackson Hallum and another on a shot in through traffic by Luke Ruegemer to make it 4-1 Orange, late in the second period.  At this point in the game, it seemed as if the Orange would cruise and the Reds would go away. That’s why hockey is a great game, one small play can turn the tide. Tiny Ethan Elias got loose on a face off a fired a high rocket bar down to make it 4-2.  Elias’ shot seem to ignite the Red.  The energy and control that the Orange had, instantly disappeared. Less than a minute later, the Reds got a face off in the Orange zone.  Brock Faber got the puck to the net on a designed play and sitting on the back door was Blake Perbix for an easy tap in goal to make it 4-3 at the end of the period. One Orange observer said afterward, had there been no resurface at the end of two, maybe the Red momentum would have continued. The third period was great hockey.  Both teams giving it their all, both teams with great chances.  But neither could get the all important next goal. Final score 4-3, in favor of the Orange.