The Lightning beat the upstart Penguins 4-1 to win the Bantam Elite title last Sunday at Bloomington Ice Garden. The Bolts took second in the regular season standings and won Friday over the Kings (6-2) and the third seed Bruins Saturday to gain the finals. The Pens unseated the regular season winners the Devils Friday (3-2) and the Flyers Saturday (2-1) to gain the finals. 

The Pens played opportunistic hockey and great defense all weekend - things looked no different in the first half against the Bolts getting a goal from Stillwater's Joe Raleigh who knocked in a loose puck in front to give the league's lowest seed a 1-0 lead at halftime. 

In the second half it was all Bolts...they dominated the Pens from the opening face off to the final buzzer. They nearly doubled their shots on goal and claimed the lead four minutes into the half barraging Pens Goalie Jon Howe with shot after shot. The Pens had a few glimmers of hope, but Goalie Cade Kujawski held down the fort for the Bolts as they got two late goals from Charlie Schoen to win the title.

Schoen was awarded the tourney MVP after finishing with three points in three games. Bolts coach Adam Sharratt after winning the title said of Schoen, "Charlie was an important piece to our team winning these last couple games...he's a special player."

FIRST TEAM

Forward: Ben Helgeson, Stars (Roseau)

Forward: Jack Jensen, Bruins (Edina)

Forward: Jack Bayless, Lightning (Minnetonka)

Defense: Ben Brinkman, Wild (Edina)

Defense: Ethan Frisch, Stars (Moorhead)

Goalie: Ryan Ullan, Devils (Hibbing)

SECOND TEAM

Forward: Landon Langenbrunner, Devils (Cloquet)

Forward: Robert Christy, Bolts (St. Paul)

Forward: Bryce Brodzinski, Penguins (Blaine)

Defense: Grant Docter, Flyers (Minnetonka)

Defense: Darian Gotz, Devils (Hermantown)

Goalie: Cade Kujawski, Bolts (Prior Lake)

CO-MVPs: Jack Jensen and Ben Helgeson

Docter, Docter Give me the News: Mike Docter lead the Flyers in Moorhead to a 3-1 record with only 9 healthy skaters.

Austin has no Limits: Austin Krebsbach began the BEL season with a good game and some great flow. By the end of the season his game matched his golden locks. He played with great precision and confidence down the stretch for the Bolts.

Whose 44?: Exceptional youngsters Bobby Brink and Matt Gleason showed why they were both considered top PeeWees last year in Minnesota. Each played key roles on their teams as underagers...both wore extra jersey #44 causing several scouts to ask, "Who is 44?"

Christy X2: Robert Christy had 18 points for the Bolts this season matching older brother Ray's 18 points the prior season. Robert's team took the BEL title, Ray's finished second (Red Wings).

Bryce isn't Twice as Nice: Blaine's Bryce Brodzinski is the youngest of four Brodzinski brothers (Johnny SCSU alum, Mike 

Welcome Back Cade: The Bolts Cade Kujawski was seriously injured in a car accident last Winter ending his season. The BEL was his first serious action and he never missed a beat stopping 90% of his shots and only allowing 3 goals a game.

Baker's Dozen: Brady Baker from the Devils was a late addition to his team. It is rare a player added this late would contribute at such a high level. The Hermantown forward amassed 15 points in as many games!

 The Little Engines that Could: The BEL had its share of big men...guys like Ben Brinkman, Will Francis, Drew Bishop and Carson Cochrane were both big and good. Often times, the little guys get forgotten in showcase leagues like the BEL. Here are a few that were impossible to forget. Lucas Wahlin from Woodbury (Kings), Dontae Lawson from Greenway (Devils), Aaron Huglen from Roseau (Stars) and Nick Hauck from Blaine (Penguins)...each of these four made a great big impression in this league of big men.