The Carson Senator varsity inline hockey team reclaimed the Sierra Cup by winning the Northern Nevada High School championship last weekend in Bishop, Calif.
Carson pulled out close wins in its final three games. In the semifinals, the Senators beat Douglas 4-3 as goalie Richie Copeland made 19 saves. Austin Bartosz and Keaton Massey each scored twice. The Tigers' goalie Cory Dowell also had an outstanding game, stopping numerous shots.
The Senators then went up against defending champion Bishop, having to beat Bishop twice in the double elimination tournament for the title. Carson had lost the day before to Bishop.
In the first game, Carson won 5-3. Tony Mariskanish cut a clear patch for Bartosz to score the first goal on an assist by Massey. Tom Dudley then scored on an assist by Spencer Trapp. Bartosz scored two more on assists by Massey and Dudley and Chris Wear scored the last goal on an assist by Mariskanish. Copeland made 16 saves.
Carson then beat Bishop 2-1 for the title, using the speed of Trapp, Wear and Aaron Orlick to keep the puck in Bishop's defensive zone. Bartosz set the tone, scoring the first goal on an assist from Dudley. Massey broke a 1-1 tie when he scored on an assist from Mariskanish. Copeland made 18 saves.
"Some of these guys have played together for 11 years," Carson coach Tony Copeland said. "They know each other's strengths and worked it to their advantage."
Carson will continue to play in California over the next few months.