Viking Cup Champions!

After stuffing our faces with tons and tons of food on Thanksgiving, the Eagles made the journey our to Wiesbaden for the 2nd Annual Viking Cup. We had the pleasure of playing in the Inaugural Cup last year, but weren't able to come home with the championship. Just like last year, we sent a mixture of Eagles 1, 2, and 3.

Friday

Opening the tournament up on a rainy night vs the Wiesbaden Ice Tigers, the Eagles drew first blood. However, the Ice Tigers weren't going to allow the Eagles an easy game, as they tied up the game 1-1. It wasn't until half way through the game before the Eagles were able to pull away, winning 7-3 and eliminating the chance of playing early the next morning.

The 2nd game the Eagles played was vs the U.S. Army Bayern Rangers, who have consistently won 3rd/4th place in Garmisch every year. Even though the had lots of new beginner players, they still had a lot of talent. But the Eagles clamped down on D and loaded up the goals to pull off a 8-0 win. A big congrats to our goalie, Nick McLean, on his first shutout in Europe!

Saturday

On Saturday, the competition grew more fierce as the Eagles faced the Spangdahlem Sabres, who came back from a 5-1 deficit against the Wiesbaden Vikings to upset them 6-5. The game was back in forth for most of it, but the Eagles were able to pour it on in the end, winning 9-5 and placing the Eagles in the championship game.

After enjoying a few gluhweins during afternoon, the Eagles fared up against Spangdahlem for a rematch following another impressive Spangdahlem upset. The Eagles scored early, but Spangdahlem came back and tied it up. The Eagles had numerous penalty shot opportunities, but Ace went 0-2 on his. We decided to give Jake Howell a shot and he showed Ace how it was done by popping it in five hole. In the end, the Eagles continued the scoring drive and won the Viking Cup championship 6-1!