Midget Minor AAA

Wednesday, April 19, 2006 FINAL National Rankings Posted, 2 Alliance Teams in Nation's Top 20...

The FINAL National Rankings have been posted for the 2005-2006 Season, and two Alliance teams finished in the Top 20 of their respective age groups. The Bulldog Midget Minor Tier I AAA team ended up Ranked #10 Nationally, and the Alliance Bantam Tier I AAA team ended up with a National Ranking of 11th.

The Midget Minor Tier II AA and Midget Major Tier II AA teams just missed out on the Top 20, with the Minors ranked at #23, and the Majors ranked at #29. Congratulations to all the Bulldog Teams and Coaches for another outstanding season. For all the rankings, click HERE...

Saturday, March 4, 2006 RMD Tier I Championships - Alliance Season Ends...

Thunderbirds '89 - 3, Alliance - 1: The Bulldogs fell behind too far to a real good team, and could not recover, as they drop their last game of the season to the #1 Seed Colorado Thunderbirds '89 in the Semi-Finals of the U16 Tier I Rocky Mountain District Championships in Phoenix. Alliance finishes the season with an impressive 30-15-5 record.

The Bulldogs fell behind in the opening frame for the first time in the tournament, and trailed by a score of 2-0 headed into the 2nd period. The 2nd period was more evenly played, and the game appeared headed into the 3rd with the same score, but Colorado struck paydirt with just under 2 minutes left to take a 3-0 lead into the 3rd. The Bulldogs avoided a shutout at the end, when they scored a 6 on 3 power play goal with an empty net at their backs.

Alliance - 6, Phoenix - 1: The Bulldogs started slow, and then pulled away from the Phoenix Firebirds in Game 3, and earned a spot in the Semi-Finals of the U16 Tier I Rocky Mountain District Championships in Phoenix. The Bulldogs sneak into the playoff round as the #4 Seed, and will have a re-match later today with the #1 Seed Colorado Thunderbirds '89 at 7:15pm CST. The T'Birds nipped the Bulldogs in Game 1 on Thursday by a score of 4-3. The other Semi-Final will have the #2 Seed Dallas Ice Jets squaring off against Phoenix, the #3 Seed, at 5:00pm CST.

The Bulldogs scored first for the 3rd time in 3 games, and took a 1-0 lead at the end of the 1st period. Alliance then increased their lead to 2-0 with another goal just over 2 minutes into the 2nd frame, for their first 2-goal lead of the tournament. The Bulldogs come out strong in the 3rd, scoring a power play goal and 2 even strength tallies to make it 5-0, before Phoenix would ruin the shutout bid with a man advantage strike of their own to make it 5-1 about halfway through the final frame. The Bulldogs would go on to add another final goal to make it 6-1 to secure the final spot in the Semi-Finals.

Ice Jets - 3, Alliance - 2: The Bulldogs again score first, and take a 1-0 lead into the 2nd period of against the Dallas Ice Jets in Game 2 of the U16 Tier I Rocky Mountain District Championships in Phoenix. The Ice Jets come back in the second period with 2 power play goals to take a 2-1 lead into the 3rd period. In the final period, the Ice Jets increase their lead with a 3rd man advantage tally to make it 3-1.

Still trailing 3-1 in the final minute, Alliance pulled their goalie while short-handed, and scored a 5 on 5 goal with only 11 seconds remaining to make the final score 3-2. The Bulldogs play Game 3 Saturday morning against the Phoenix Firebirds at 8:00am CST.

T'Birds '89 - 4, Alliance - 3: The Bulldogs held the lead for a period, but could not hold on and fell to the Colorado Thunderbirds '89 in Game 1 of the U16 Tier I Rocky Mountain District Championships in Phoenix. Alliance struck first with a power play goal at the 9:23 mark of the 1st period, and carried the 1-0 lead into the second. The T'Birds would respond quickly, with 3 straight goals in just over 2 minutes, 2 of the power play variety and 1 during 4 on 4 action to take a 3-1 lead.

Alliance came right back to score an even strength goal less than a minute later to make it 3-2 headed into the final period of play. The Bulldogs would then tie the game at 3-3 in the first minute of the 3rd, but Colorado would answer back with the game winner at the 10:46 mark. Next game for the Bulldogs will be Friday at 12:30pm against the Dallas Ice Jets.

Alliance - 4, Ice Jets - 3 (OT): After falling behind the Ice Jets 3-0 late in the 2nd period, things looked bleak for the Bulldogs. But a goal with only 1:06 left in the 2nd to make it 3-1 going into the final period kick-started the Bulldogs to a stunning 3-goal comeback that ended with an overtime win and their 2nd consecutive Tier I U16 State Championship.

Trailing 3-2 with only 14 seconds left in regulation, the Bulldogs used their 6 on 3 advantage to screen the Ice Jet goalie from a shot from the blue-line that hit the back of the net to tie the score at 3-3 with :09.3 showing on the game clock. Alliance would then take their 4 on 3 power play into overtime and score the championship winner in the first minute of the extra period. Both the Bulldogs and the Ice Jets will advance to the 2006 Rocky Mountain District Championships in Phoenix March 2-5.

The first period started off right where these two teams left it the night before, fast paced and lots of intensity. The Ice Jets struck first, when at the 4:08 mark of the opening frame, they got the first of their 3 power play goals to take a 1-0 lead. The shots in the first period were close, with the Bulldogs getting 10 to the Jet’s 7. Alliance was 0 for 1 on the man advantage, while the Jets went 1 for 2.

Early in the second, the teams traded penalties, mixing in some 4 on 4 action between power plays. The Ice Jets then got their 2^nd man advantage tally of the day, knocking in a loose puck after a mad scramble in front of the Bulldog net for a 2-0 lead at the 13:49 mark. Just under 3 minutes later, the Ice Jets extended their lead to 3-0 with their third power play goal of the game, on a shot from the point through traffic that the Alliance goalie never saw with 11:00 still left in the 2^nd period.

At this point, the outlook for the Bulldogs did not look good, with the Jets net-minder stopping everything Alliance was throwing at him. As the 2^nd period wound down, it looked like the final frame would be started with the Bulldogs in a 3-goal deficit and facing a major uphill battle just to get back in it. Sometimes the smallest things turn out big, and that is what appeared to happen when Alliance got on the board with only 1:06 remaining in the period, when a wrist shot from low in the right wing circle eluded the Jet goalie high to the stick side for the Bulldogs’ first goal, making it 3-1 at the end of two periods of play. Shots in the second were even at 11 apiece, and the Bulldogs were 0 for 2 on the power play while the Jets were 2 for 2 on the man advantage.

The 3^rd period continued as the previous two, with both teams still battling hard and Alliance looking for that goal to make it a 1-shot game. They found it just over halfway into the period, when a rebound eluded the Jet goaltender and found the stick of a Bulldog who put it home to make it 3-2 with 7:33 remaining in regulation. The game was now definitely heating up, as the next goal would be huge for the team that collected it.

As time wound down, the teams traded power play opportunities until Alliance would have to pull their goalie with just over a minute left. A broken Bulldog stick as the result of an Ice Jet slash put the Dogs on a 2-man advantage with the goalie on the bench at the :59 mark. During the ensuing pile-up in front of the Jet goal, a Bulldog was cross-checked, giving them a 6 on 3 with just 14 ticks left on the clock.

After a timeout, the face-off in the left wing circle was drawn back by the Bulldogs to the point, where a low slap shot just off the ice made its way through at least 6 or 7 players and past a screened Jet net-minder to tie the game at 3-3 with just 9.3 seconds on the clock.

The normally played 4 on 4 overtime period was started at 4 on 3 for Alliance due to the earlier cross-check, and after getting the puck behind the Ice Jet goal, the puck found its way to an Alliance player just off the post to the right of the goalie and he put in his own rebound for the sudden death game winner. Shots ended up relatively close at Alliance 36, Jets 29. The Bulldogs were 2 for 7 on the power play, while the Jets got all 3 of their goals on 5 man advantage opportunities.

Saturday, February 11, 2006 Alliance Stays Alive with OT Win in Game 2...

Alliance - 2, Ice Jets - 1 (OT): In a complete reversal from last night, both teams played tight defense and got outstanding goaltending, but the Bulldogs stay alive in the Best of 3 Series with the game winning goal just 1:07 into the first overtime. Alliance came out ready to redeem themselves for the Game 1 loss, and were all over the Ice Jets with 10 shots to the Jets 1 in the first period. It appeared the Jets would survive the flurry, but Alliance took a 1-0 lead on a power play goal with only 1:59 remaining in the opening frame on a shot from the point along the ice that was re-directed in front and past the Jet goalie.

It looked like that one goal might stand up as the game winner, but everyone knew the game was one shot from being tied up, and they were right. After a scoreless 2nd period and a flood of the ice, it was back to it for these two rivals. After the initial control of play by Alliance in the first period, the play and shots on goal were basically even the rest of the way, with the Bulldogs just edging the Jets in shots in the 2nd at 10 to 7, and in the 3rd at 9 to 8.

The one shot everyone either dreaded or wanted, came following an Alliance turnover in its own end, and after a mad scramble in front of the Bulldog net, the loose puck was banged in by a Jet to tie the score at 1-1 with only 5:01 left in regulation. The final few minutes were dramatically played out and it was off to sudden death time. Alliance got the puck deep into the Jet zone, and on a nice move down low just above the goal line in the right wing corner, a Bulldog slipped a wrister high to the short side past the Ice Jet net-minder for the game winner at the 3:53 mark of overtime.

The exciting and dramatic finish set the stage for Game 3 to determine the State Champion on Sunday, with game time set at 1:00pm at Polar Ice in Grapevine.

Friday, February 10, 2006 State Tournament - Tier I U16: Alliance Drops Game 1...

Ice Jets - 7, Alliance - 4: Despite an early advantage in energy and shots, the Bulldogs fell behind 2-0 less than 8 minutes in, spent the rest of the game chasing the Ice Jets, and were unable to overtake them and fell in Game 1 of their Best of 3 Series Friday night at the 2006 Texas State Championships being held at Polar Ice in the Grapevine Mills Mall. The Jets now take their 1-0 series lead into Game 2 Saturday night, with a chance to take the State Championship with a win in the 8:00pm start.

The Ice Jets scored on their first shot of the game to take a 1-0 lead less than 2 minutes in at 15:08, on a shot from the right wing corner at a severe angle that was deflected near the goal and past the Alliance net-minder. Alliance kept the energy up, and continued to swarm the Jets goal to no avail, and then with 9:31 left in the 1st, an Ice Jet was left all alone coming down the slot who took a nice pass from the half boards and buried it low to the glove side for a 2-0 Ice Jet lead.

The Bulldogs finally were rewarded for their efforts just under 2 minutes later, when they tallied a power play goal at 7:21 on a shot from the point that was nicely tipped just in front to reduce the lead to 2-1. The opening period of play ended 2-1 Jets, despite a 17 to 9 Alliance advantage in shots.

The teams traded power play chances early in the 2nd, but the Bulldogs took advantage of their 2nd try of the period, when they scored on the man advantage again at 10:39 to tie the game at 2-2. Just over a minute later and with a man from each team in the box, the Ice Jets re-took the lead with a 4 on 4 goal at the 9:16 mark to make it 3-2, once again utilizing a man alone in front of the Alliance goal to tip a shot from distance.

Alliance would continue to hang around, and again tied the game with another power play goal at the 6:06 mark to make it 3-3. The Jets would respond themselves, when with 4:58 left in the 2nd, a 2 on 1 was nicely converted by a slick move past a Bulldog defenseman near the left wing post for a goal to make it 4-3 Ice Jets. As the second period was winding down, the Jets converted on a power play opportunity, when they found the open man at the back post to take a 5-3 lead into the intermission.

As the teams returned to a clean sheet of ice for the final period, the Bulldogs were looking to make a game of it, but it was the Ice Jets that struck first when they scored shorthanded on an break-away, following an Alliance turnover at the 7:20 mark to take a commanding 6-3 lead. The Bulldogs narrowed the margin back to two at 6-4 at 6:30 with another man advantage tally, their 4th of the night, but it was too little too late. The Jets added icing on the cake with their final goal with only 3:39 remaining for the 7-4 final score.

The teams will hit the ice again for Game 2 Saturday night at 8:00pm, with the Ice Jets having a chance to close it out with a win. The Bulldogs can force a Game 3 with a win of their own. Game 3, if necessary, is set for Sunday at 1:00pm.

The Alliance Bulldogs defended their 2005 Championship, capturing the 2006 Dallas Cup Tier I AAA Championship Game with a 4-1 win Sunday afternoon over the Colorado Thunderbirds '89 in a tight game decided with tough defense, good penalty killing and outstanding goaltending.

Both teams came into the final undefeated, and it was the first win this season over the 5th Ranked T'Birds in 4 tries for the Bulldogs, who lost to these same Thunderbirds in the final of their King of the Rockies (KOR) Tournament back in October. This tournament was also a warm-up for the 2006 Rocky Mountain District Championships, as all 6 RMD Tier I U16 teams played in this year's Dallas Cup. The 11th Ranked Bulldogs finish the tournament 5-0-0, and improved their overall season record to 27-11-5. For final standings, box scores and more, click HERE...

Colorado Outlaws - 6, Alliance - 3 : In a re-match of last year's Rocky Mountain District Championship game, the result was different this time, as the hosts Colorado Outlaws beat the Bulldogs to advance to the Final of their own Colorado Outlaws Shootout tournament in Denver on Sunday afternoon. The Bulldogs continually suffered consequences of turnovers, as the Outlaws capitalized by turning Alliance mistakes into goals. The loss ended a 7 game unbeaten streak for the Bulldogs, who will face these same Outlaws again in 2 weeks during the 2006 Dallas Cup.

Alliance - 9, Phoenix - 2 : After a tight 1st period that ended 1-1, the Bulldogs cranked it up with 5 goals in the 2nd frame and went on to cruise to the win over the Phoenix Firebirds in Game 3 of the Colorado Outlaws Shootout in Denver on Sunday morning. The win gives Alliance a 3-0-0 record for the tournament, making them division winners and a #2 seed overall headed into the Semi-Finals. Alliance will face the #3 Seed and host Colorado Outlaws at 3:45pm MST for the right to advance to the Championship Game against the winner of the other semi-final between the #4 Seed Ice Jets '89 and the #1 Seed Madison Capitals.

Alliance - 2, Ice Jets '89 - 1: In a re-match of their tie last week in Dallas, it was more of the same between these 2 rivals, but the Bulldogs pulled this one out late to beat the Ice Jets '89 in Game 2 of the Colorado Outlaws Shootout in Denver on Saturday afternoon. The first period was scoreless, but not uneventful, as an Alliance player took a 5-minute major and a game misconduct, putting the Bulldogs down a man for a period of time. Alliance would kill that off, and the 1st period ended 0-0.

The Jets finally broke the scoring open with an even strength tally off an Alliance defensive turnover for a brief 1-0 lead at the 10:31 mark of the 2nd frame. Less than 2 minutes later, the Bulldogs tied it up again with an even strength goal of their own to make it 1-1 with 9:00 remaining in the 2nd period. The rest of the period would net nothing for either team on the scoreboard.

In the final period, the Bulldogs took their first lead when with a huge pile of humanity in front of the Jet goal, as loose puck was batted into the net at a severe angle to put Alliance up 2-1. With 2:40 left in the game, the Ice Jets went with a 6th attacker in lieu of a goaltender, but it was to no avail. The Alliance goaltending was up to the task, and the Bulldogs held on for the win in a very intense and competitive contest.

Friday, January 13, 2006 Bulldogs Open Outlaw Shootout with a Win...

Alliance - 3, Affton - 2: In a back and forth game where 3 of the 5 goals were on special teams, the Bulldogs prevailed over the Affton Americans in Game 1 of the Colorado Outlaws Shootout in Denver on Friday morning. To make it even more unusual, 2 of the goals were shorthanded, placing the coaches in the position of cringing when going on the power play.

Alliance struck first at 15:19 of the 1st period with one of the only 2 even strength goals to take an early 1-0 lead, but the Americans answered shortly thereafter with their only even strength goal of the game to make 1-1 after the first period of play. The Bulldogs re-took the lead with the first of their shorthanded tallies (3 on 5) at 10:08 of the 2nd period to make it 2-1. Alliance, spending some more time in the penalty box, then increased their lead with another shorthander just a few minutes later to make it 3-1.

The 2-goal lead was very brief, as Affton came back with a powerplay strike to reduce the lead to one goal again at 3-2 headed into the final frame. The 3rd period was a scoreless battle, and the Bulldogs take the win to go 1-0 in the tournament headed into their match against the Dallas Ice Jets on Saturday afternoon. The Dogs and Jets tied in their only meeting of the season, 2-2 last week in Valley Ranch.

Alliance – 2, Ice Jets '89AAA - 2: Nothing was settled in this much anticipated and long awaited game between these two rink rivals. While each team held a 1-goal lead for a period of time, neither could hold, and the game ended as it started, with the score even and both teams still looking toward the next meeting. It was a penalty-filled contest (what a surprise!), with 3 of the 4 total goals coming on the man advantage from the 17 power play chances doled out by the over-worked officiating crew.

Alliance – 9, Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets - 0: Alliance scored early and often, dominating the Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets to coast to their second straight shutout win in the EHK Challenge Cup Friday in Plano. The Bulldogs scored 3 in the first, 4 in the second, and 2 in the final frame while out-shooting the Jackets by a 39 to 8 margin, setting up a game to determine the #1 Seed going into the playoffs with the Alaska All-Stars on Saturday morning.

Alliance – 3, LA Jr. Kings - 0: Alliance broke open a scoreless game about halfway into the final period, and rode good defense and goaltending to a nice shutout win over the LA Jr. Kings in the EHK Challenge Cup Friday morning in Plano. After several chances to take an early lead in the 1st period slipped through the Bulldogs' fingers, they avoided falling behind by stopping the Kings early in the 2nd when they threatened.

Alliance out-shot LA by a margin of 8 to 2 in the opening frame, including a breakaway opportunity that the King net-minder stopped nicely less than 3 minutes into the game. Both teams failed on their lone man advantage opportunity in the 1st period, which ended 0-0. The intensity and trips to the penalty box increased in the 2nd period, but neither team was able to score, as a full power play was never realized before another penalty occurred. Alliance was 0 for 4, and LA was 0 for 3 on the power play in the second period, which also ended with the score still 0-0.

The first six plus minutes of the final period were basically uneventful, but the Bulldogs changed all that when a shot from the point was re-directed from waist level straight down right in front of the LA goalie and into his net for a 1-0 Alliance lead at the 9:07 mark. After killing off an LA power play right after their score, the Bulldogs got their own man advantage chance with 5:08 remaining. An Alliance defenseman made a nice keep at the blue line, carried the puck into the high slot and put a wrister into the far side of the net past the stick side of a screened King goalie to make it 2-0 with only 4:38 remaining in the game.

The Bulldogs killed off another LA man advantage less than a minute later, and added an empty netter with 15 seconds left for the 3-0 final score. Alliance out-shot the Kings by a 25 to 12 margin, and was 1 for 6 on the power play, while LA was 0 for 6. The Bulldogs come back Friday afternoon to face the Ohio Jr. Bluejackets in Frisco.

Thursday, November 24, 2005 Minor AAA Ties T'Birds in Final Minute...

Alliance – 2, Colo. T'Birds '90 - 2: The Bulldogs scrambled late and came up with the game tying goal with only 46 seconds remaining and an empty net in their own end for a 2-2 tie against the Colorado Thunderbirds '90 in the EHK Challenge Cup Thursday in Plano. After taking a 1-0 lead early in the 1st frame, the Bulldogs spent plenty of time in the penalty box, allowing the T'Birds to take a 2-1 lead after 2 periods on the strength of 2 power play goals, one of the 5 on 3 variety. The Bulldogs will try to get in the win column with 2 more games on Friday, first against the LA Jr. Kings, followed up by the Ohio Jr. Bluejackets.

Saturday, November 19, 2005 Minor AAA Holds off Late DJHA Flurry...

Alliance U16AAA – 3, DJHA U18AAA - 2: The younger Bulldogs built a 3-1 lead after 2 periods of play, and held off a late six-man attack by the DJHA Midget Major AAA to take home the win in their first action in Dallas this season on Saturday morning in Valley Ranch. The game was evenly played throughout, but Alliance took a 2-0 lead at the end of the 1st period on the strength of hard play in front of the Penguin goal and a nice 2 on 1 rush to the net.

With 2 of their top forwards up with the Dallas Stars Major AAA for the weekend, the Bulldogs did just fine with their birth-year '90 replacements. After an initial cautious first two minutes, Alliance struck first on a wrister from just below the top of the left face-off circle that beat the DJHA goalie for a 1-0 lead at 14:58 of the 1st.

DJHA just missed tying it up 3 minutes later when a hard Penguin shot clanged off the near post for a scoring chance but no shot on goal. After trading roughing minor penalties, the Bulldogs jumped on a DJHA turnover in the neutral zone for a 2 on 1 rush, with a defenseman finishing it off with a nice hard shot to the 5-hole for a 2-0 lead at 8:52 left in the opening frame. Alliance had 2 power play chances in the period, but were unable to capitalize, even on a breakaway that was denied by the Penguin net-minder at 4:32. Shots were 4 to 3 in favor of the Bulldogs after one period of play.

The 2nd period began with the Bulldogs on the man advantage again, but the last half of that double minor was neutralized by an Alliance penalty, resulting in two minutes of 4 on 4 action. DJHA took advantage of the open ice, converting on a 2 on 1 of their own to make it 2-1 Dogs at 13:29 of the second.

Alliance would extend the lead back to a 2-goal margin just over two minutes later on a really nice wrist shot from low off the right post that beat the DJHA goalie high to the glove side to make it 3-1 at 10:52 (see picture at right). Alliance again won the shot battle in the 2nd, with 7 to the Penguin's 5. The Bulldogs were 0 for 2 on the man advantage, while DJHA was 0 for 3 on the their power play opportunities.

Just as the 3rd period was getting going, an Alliance forward broke in behind the Penguin defense for a mini-breakaway that drew a penalty shot call. The heavy snow in the slot and the DJHA goalie did a good job, denying the scoring opportunity and kept the score still 3-1 at 15:12.

The Bulldogs got another chance to increase their lead on a DJHA penalty at 13:39, but the Penguins had scoring themselves on their mind. An aggressive fore-check on the penalty kill allowed a DJHA forward to wrestle the puck away from a Bulldog defenseman, and then skate in on the Alliance goalie, finishing it off with a wicked backhand high to the glove side to make it 3-2 at 12:41.

At this point, DJHA stepped up their pace to match that of the Bulldogs, and the last 10 minutes of the final frame was very intense. The Penguins got 3 more chances on the man advantage the rest of the way, including 18 seconds of 5 on 3 at 4:28 that went for naught. The final minute was played entirely in the Alliance end with an empty DJHA net at the other end. The Alliance goalie made several outstanding saves at the end to preserve the victory.

For the game, DJHA won the shot battle after that furious end by a count of 18 to 16. No one was able to light the lamp on the power play, as both teams were 0 for 6 on the man advantage.

The game was a good tune-up for both teams, as they will both be at home this weekend in the EHK Challenge Cup Tournament being held in Dallas over the Thanksgiving weekend. Each team will play in their own age bracket, with the Bulldogs in the U16 Division, while DJHA will play in the U18 Division.

Two players from the Alliance Midget Minor AAA team were called up to play with the Dallas Stars Midget Major AAA in their weekend series with the Buffalo Saints, and represented Alliance well. Forward Chase Grant earned his stripes by scoring the game winning goal in Friday's 3-2 win, and Defenseman Jordan Bonzo also played well in defending the lead. Congratulations to Chase and Jordan.

Friday, October 21, 2005 Midget Minor AAA Ranked 11th in National Top 20...

The 2005-2006 US U16 Midget AAA Hockey Rankings were released yesterday, and the Alliance Midget Minor AAA is ranked 11th in the nation. They have a win over the #5 ranked New Jersey Devils, and four of their five losses have been to teams ranked in the top 10. Their shootout loss is counted as a tie in the rankings.

The Bantam AAA and Midget Minor AA teams are also ranked, by the National Hockey Rankings web site, with the Bantam AA at 13th, and the Midget Minor AA at 9th. The only loss the Midget Minor AA team has suffered this season was at the hands of the #2 ranked Long Beach Ice Dogs. The Midget Minor AAA is ranked by this site at 16th.

Colo. Thunderbirds '89 - 3, Alliance - 1: In a rematch of last year's Championship and last night's back and forth battle against the Colorado Thunderbirds '89, Alliance ran out of energy and goals as the T'Birds returned the Championship of the King of the Rockies (KOR) Tournament to Colorado Sunday afternoon at the Air Force Academy. The Thunderbirds jumped out to a 2-0 lead and the Bulldogs could not fight their way back in this one. For other scores, click HERE...

Alliance - 3, Colo. Thunderbirds '90 - 2: In a close game, the Bulldogs got the game winner with more than 12 minutes remaining and held on for the win over the Colo. Thunderbirds '90 in the Semi-Finals of the King of the Rockies (KOR) Tournament at the World Arena in Colorado Springs Sunday morning. The win sets up a rematch of last year's KOR Championship and last night's back and forth battle against the Colorado Thunderbirds '89, Sunday afternoon at the Air Force Academy. The T'Birds '89 advance to the Final with a win over the Arctic Lions in the other Semi-Final game. For other scores, click HERE...

Colorado took the first lead when they scored on a delayed Alliance penalty for a 1-0 score early in the game. Alliance game back shortly thereafter to tie it up at 1-1 on a deflected slap shot. The Bulldogs took their first lead when just off a face-off, the puck was sent to a defenseman that surprised the Colorado goalie with a hard shot to make it 2-1 Alliance at the halfway mark of the game.

The T'Birds were not to be discouraged, though, and they made it 2-2 on a power play goal not much later. Alliance would get the lead again for good when the puck found its way into the Colorado net from a crowd of Bulldogs in front of the goal to make it 3-2. The Alliance defense and goaltending would be enough the rest of the way to preserve the win.

Saturday, October 15, 2005 Last Minute Comeback Sends Dogs to KOR Semis...

Alliance - 3, Colo. Thunderbirds '89 - 3: In their first meeting of the season, it was a barn burner between these two new rivals, and nothing was decided. A Bulldog comeback is finished with a last minute goal to force a tie with the Colorado Thunderbirds '89 in Game 3 the King of the Rockies (KOR) Tournament at the World Arena in Colorado Springs Saturday afternoon. The tie, in combination with a Colorado Outlaw 3-2 win over Pittsburgh, puts the Bulldogs in the Semi-Finals as the #2 Seed from the Blue Division, where they will face the Colo. Thunderbirds '90 early Sunday morning. For other scores, click HERE...

In a very competitive and close game throughout, the T'Birds scored first to take a 1-0 lead at the halfway mark. Alliance tied it up not too much later on a breakaway goal to make it 1-1. Colorado would re-take the lead again at 2-1 near the 14:00 mark of the final frame on a power play goal. The Thunderbirds held that lead for almost 9 minutes, until Alliance scored again on a nice slap shot from the face-off circle to get it tied again, this time at 2-2 with just over five minutes remaining.

With both teams looking for the win, it was still anybody's game, and Colorado appeared to think it was theirs when they took their 3rd lead at 3-2 with 3 minutes left on a nice shot past a screened Alliance goalie. Knowing a Semi-Final berth was on the line with a tie game, the Bulldogs took a time out with just under a minute remaining to formulate a final attack. Winning a face-off in the Colorado end, the Bulldogs were able to get a good look at the T'Bird net, and capitalized with another nice shot to knot the score at 3-3 with only 45 seconds left in the game.

Alliance will now have a little bit of time to rest up, and then on Sunday morning take on the T'Birds again, only this time it will be the Thunderbirds '90 team, which has fared just fine in the White Division, having won both their games thus far, with one left to play at press time. The winner of this game will face the winner of the other Semi-Final, either the Colorado Thunderbirds '89 or the Arctic Lions from Alaska.

Pittsburgh - 2, Alliance - 1: In their second meeting of the season, the Bulldogs and Pittsburgh Hornets again played it tight in another 1-goal game, and once again with the same result, as the Hornets handed Alliance their first loss of the King of the Rockies (KOR) Tournament, in Game 2 at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs late Friday night. After playing well early but not scoring, Alliance fell behind after the Hornets struck first for a 1-0 lead about halfway into the game.

The Bulldogs fought back to tie it up at 1-1 in the final period, but Pittsburgh re-took the lead for good with just over 9 minutes remaining on a nicely played 2 on 1 rush for a 2-1 lead which held up the rest of the way. Alliance must now come back strong on Saturday with a win over the Colorado Thunderbirds '89 to force a tie-breaker situation and possible advancement to the Semi-Finals on Sunday. For other scores, click HERE...

Alliance - 3, Colorado Outlaws - 1: In a rematch of last year's USA Hockey Rocky Mountain District Championship, the Bulldogs came out on top again over the Colorado Outlaws in Game 1 of the King of the Rockies (KOR) Tournament at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs early Friday afternoon. It wasn't the sudden death overtime game like the RMD Final, but it was close, as the Bulldogs pulled away from a 1-1 tie with 2 goals late in the game for the victory. For other scores, click HERE...

Last year, the Alliance Bulldogs Midget Minor AAA faced some very tough competition in this tournament, but were able to come away with a 5-0 record, including a 5-3 win in the Final over the host Colorado Thunderbirds. This year Alliance comes in as the Defending Champions, but will face some very stiff competition again, including the Thunderbirds looking for payback. For more information, click HERE...

Chicago Chill - 3, Alliance - 0: In their second meeting of the season, the Bulldogs were again unable to light the lamp and fell victims of a shutout at the hands of the Chicago Chill in this consolation game of the USHL Showcase in Indianapolis. The game was similar to the Bulldogs' first loss of the season back in September at the Massachusetts Tier I Labor Day Face-Off, when they fell to these same Chill by a score of 1-0.

After a scoreless first period, the Chill got the only goal they would need and the eventual game winner in the 2nd frame. Chicago would add two more in the final period to make it a 3-0 final. Although the shots were very close at 23 for Alliance to Chicago's 24, the Bulldogs did themselves no favors by taking 14 penalties. Alliance has little time to ponder this one, as they head out to Colorado Springs on Thursday for the annual King of the Rockies tournament hosted by the Colorado Thunderbirds.

Even with their undefeated record in pool play, it was not enough for the Bulldogs Midget Minor AAA to advance to the playoffs of USHL Showcase in Indianapolis. Honeybaked earned the #1 seed in the White Pool based on goal differential, and will advance to the Semi-Finals. Alliance will play a consolation game against the Chicago Chill early Sunday morning.

Alliance - 3, LA Hockey - 1: Alliance completed their sweep of pool games to go 3 and 0 with a win over the LA Hockey Club, but it may not be enough to advance to the playoffs of USHL Showcase in Indianapolis. At press time, it was still not decided, as the outcome of a Honeybaked game and associated goal differential will most likely determine the #1 seed in the White Pool. Only the #1 seed in each of the four pools will advance to the Semi-Finals.

The Bulldogs netted a goal in each of the 3 periods, all again at even strength, as have all goals been this tournament for Alliance. The Bulldogs would score late in each of the first two frames, at 2:06 of the 1st to go ahead 1-0, and then again at 1:05 of the 2nd to take a 2-0 lead into the 3rd period. LA would get the first goal of the tournament against the Bulldogs after 8+ periods at 9:02 of the 3rd, but Alliance would respond less than 2 minutes later to bring the lead back to 2 at 3-1, where it would end.

The Bulldogs out-shot LA 35-30 for the game, and killed all 8 LA power play chances. Alliance went 0 for 2 on the man advantage, while playing 2 players short due to injuries sustained this weekend. Should the Bulldogs lose the #1 seed on goal differential, they will still play a consolation game early Sunday morning.

Alliance - 4, Russell Stover Stars - 0: In another display of good defense and quality goal-tending, Alliance pitched their 2nd straight white-washing at the USHL Showcase in Indianapolis, this time against the Russell Stover Stars late Friday night. The Bulldogs didn't wait a period to get on the board as they did earlier in the day, striking paydirt early this time, taking a 1-0 lead at 12:31 of the 1st period.

Less than two minutes later they would tally again, making it a 2-0 margin for Alliance less than seven minutes into the opening frame. The Bulldogs would take the two goal lead into the 2nd period, and extend it to three with another goal to head into the 3rd with the score 3-0 Alliance. The final period would look to be scoreless until the Bulldogs would get their last goal of the game with only 23 seconds remaining to make the final 4-0.

All the goals were of the even strength type, as for the second straight game, power play opportunities were few and far between. Alliance again held the edge in shots on goal, this time by a wider margin at 34 to 19 for the game. The Bulldogs now will take a well deserved rest after a long day and then come back Saturday at noon to play the LA Hockey Club.

Alliance - 2, Madison Capitals - 0: In a low scoring game with few power play opportunities, single goals in the 2nd and 3rd periods were enough for the Bulldogs to get a shutout win over the Madison Capitals in Game 1 of the USHL Showcase in Indianapolis early Friday afternoon. The first period ended scoreless, even while Alliance held a 9 to 3 shots on goal advantage, and controlled much of the play.

The shots were much closer in the final two frames, but the extra shot the Bulldogs got in each period found the back of the net. Total shots for the game were 23-15 in favor of Alliance. The Bulldogs now come back late Friday night to face the Russell Stover Stars of Kansas City.

Capital Center Pride - 3, Alliance - 2 (SO): In a very close game where they came back from an 2-goal deficit to tie the game in the 2nd period, the Bulldogs fell to the Capital Centre Pride in a shootout after 2 scoreless over-times in the Quarter-Finals of the Little Caesars Motor City Cup in Detroit. After a scoreless 1st period, all the goals that would be scored in the game would come in the 2nd period.

The Pride struck first, and then added another one shortly thereafter for a 2-0 lead, an unusual position for the Bulldogs to this point in the early part of the season. Alliance would respond, though, and would bring it back to even at 2-2 before the period would end. The 3rd period was again scoreless like the first, and it would off to the OT to determine a winner.

The first 3 minutes were played 4 on 4, and then another 3 minutes of 3 on 3 again yielded no scoring, although the Bulldogs had a great chance snuffed out by good Capital Pride goaltending. The Pride would take the 5 player shootout by a count of 3 to 1, ending the Bulldogs' weekend. Alliance comes home with a 5-3-1 record on the season, and is scheduled to play next in the USHL Showcase in Indianapolis October 7-9.

Alliance - 5, Michigan Jaguars - 3: In a very physical contest, the Bulldogs recovered from a let-down in the 2nd period to pull away from the Jaguars in Game 3, and advance to the Quarter-Finals in the Little Caesars Motor City Cup in Detroit. Alliance jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the 1st period, but let the Jags get back into the game in the 2nd period, as they tied it up at 2-2 after 2 periods of play.

Going into the 3rd, Alliance came back to re-take the lead for good, outscoring Michigan in the 3rd 3-1 to make the final 5-3. The game was very rough and chippy, with many penalties on both teams. As a result of the Victory Honda 5-1 win over the Pittsburgh Predators, Alliance advances to the Quarter-Finals as the #1 Seed from the Bowman Conference, and will face the #2 Seed from the Kelly Conference at 5:00pm Saturday afternoon.

Friday, September 9, 2005

Alliance Returns Favor in Final Minute...

Alliance - 3, Victory Honda - 2: In a re-match of last year's Championship game, the Bulldogs and Victory Honda did not disappoint, as they took each other all the way into the last half minute of the game before deciding a winner in Game 2 of the Little Caesars Motor City Cup in Detroit. With Alliance leading 2-1 with 25 seconds to go, the score would change twice before becoming final, as both teams never gave up on their hopes of winning.

The game was close throughout, with the 1st period ending scoreless. Honda would strike first, scoring the only goal of the 2nd period for a 1-0 lead to start the 3rd and final frame. Alliance would respond in the 3rd period, though, getting the next 2 goals to take their first lead at 2-1. It appeared that would be the way it would end, but Victory Honda had other ideas of their own.

With less than a minute remaining in regulation, Honda went with an extra attacker and an empty net in their end. The move would pay off, as with only 25 seconds left, Honda would tie it up at 2-2 with a stunning goal. Give Alliance their due, though, as most teams would be devastated enough to skate off with a tie, but not this version of Bulldogs. Taking possession of the puck and getting it into the Honda zone, Alliance would return the favor with a stunning goal of its own, as the game winner would sail over the shoulder of the Honda goalie and hit twine with only 8 ticks left on the clock.

It was a great game for both teams, and hopefully not the last time these two will meet this season. In the mean time, Alliance will take its 2-0 tourney record into Saturday's game against the Michigan Jaguars. For schedules, scores, results, and standings, click HERE...

Alliance Coasts in Game 1 at Detroit...

Alliance - 9, Jr. Jacks - 1: The Bulldogs started slowly, but after a scoreless 1st period, scored 7 goals in the 2nd frame to go on to win Game 1 against the Cleveland Jr. Jacks in the Little Caesars Motor City Cup in Detroit. Due to a running clock the entire 3rd period, Alliance only tallied 2 more while the Jackets ruined the shutout on a misplayed puck in the Bulldog defensive zone.

The Bulldogs will come back for a night cap against Victory Honda, who at press time were leading 7-0 in the 3rd period over the Green Bay Jr. Gamblers. The game will be a re-match of last year's Championship game, which Alliance won 2-1 for the title. For schedules, scores, results, and standings, click HERE...

Thursday, September 8, 2005 Bulldogs Back in Action this Weekend...

The Bulldogs do not get much time off after their tournament last week in Boston, as they hit the road today for the Little Caesars Motor City Cup in Detroit. They will play twice on Friday, first against the Cleveland Jr. Jacks in the morning, then come back for a night cap against Victory Honda. The Bulldogs defeated Honda 2-1 in the Finals last year and come in as the Defending Champions. For schedules, scores, results, and standings, click HERE...

Sunday, September 4, 2005 Mass Tier I Update...

Pittsburgh Hornets - 3, Alliance - 2: Alliance found themselves chasing from behind all day in this one, and were eliminated by the Pittsburgh Hornets in Game 5 of the Massachusetts Tier I Labor Day Face-Off in Marlboro, Massachusetts. The Bulldogs took enough penalties to give the big and quick Hornets room to tally 2 of their 3 goals on the man advantage. Pittsburgh heads into the Semi-Finals at 4-1, and the Bulldogs' record evened up at 2-2-1 thus far on the new season. Alliance does not have much time to reflect on this one, as they hit the road again this next weekend for the Motor City Classic in Detroit.

Alliance - 6, 495 Stars - 1: Alliance caught their breath and came out refreshed Sunday morning, and it showed in their win over the 495 Stars (Mass) in Game 4 of the Massachusetts Tier I Labor Day Face-Off in Marlboro, Massachusetts. The Bulldogs took a 2-1 lead into the 2nd period, added one in the 2nd, and then iced the game with 3 more in the 3rd to run their tournament and season record to 2-1-1 thus far. Alliance can earn a spot in the Semi-Finals with a win tonight over the Pittsburgh Hornets, who lost Sunday morning 4-0 to the New Jersey Devils.

Saturday, September 3, 2005 Bulldogs Split 2 at Mass Tier I...

Chicago Chill - 1, Alliance - 0: The Bulldogs appeared to run out of steam as they played their 3rd tough game in the last 2 days, and couldn't muster any scoring as they lost their first game of the season to the Chicago Chill in Game 3 of the Massachusetts Tier I Labor Day Face-Off in Marlboro, Massachusetts.

The lone goal didn't come until only about 6 minutes were left in the game, and it came on the man advantage, as have most of the goals this weekend. The Chill held on to make it the game winner to raise their tourney record to 2-1, with the Bulldogs standing at 1-1-1. The Bulldogs will have to get some rest, as they have 2 more games on Sunday, starting with the 495 Stars (MA) and then finishing up with the Pittsburg Hornets.

Alliance - 3, NJ Devils - 2: It was another penalty-filled battle for Alliance again, but this time the Bulldogs came out on top over the New Jersey Devils in Game 2 of the Massachusetts Tier I Labor Day Face-Off in Marlboro, Massachusetts. Both teams appeared to be irritated with each other in this re-match of last year's 2005 USA Hockey National Championship contest.

The Bulldogs went out to a 2-0 lead, and held that difference for most of the game until the Devils started to creep back into it late. Alliance once again got good goaltending, with both Bulldog net-minders turning in outstanding performances in their first opportunities of the year. Good team defense and a 3rd goal were enough for the Bulldogs to hold on for the 3-2 win against a really good team with a strong tradition. Alliance will come back later this afternoon against the Chicago Chill, who lost 5-1 earlier Saturday to the defending National Champion Mid-Fairfield Blues.

Friday, September 2, 2005 Nothing Decided in Season Opener...

Alliance - 1, NH Monarchs - 1: The 2005-2006 Season Opener could have gone either way, but ended up not going to either team in a 1-1 tie in Game 1 of the Massachusetts Tier I Labor Day Face-Off in Marlboro, Massachusetts. It was a parade to the penalty box for both teams, as both the Bulldogs and the New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs continually were put on the man advantage throughout the contest. Both teams were able to tally a power play goal, but could not muster any even strength scores.

The Bulldogs will continue play with two more games on Saturday, first against the New Jersey Devils who defeated the defending U16 Tier I National Champion Mid-Fairfield Blues 2-0 on Friday, and then against the Chicago Chill, winners over the NJ Titans 7-0 in their opener.

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 Season Starts this Weekend...

The 2005-2006 Season gets officially underway this weekend for the Midget Minor AAA team when they will be playing in the Massachusetts Tier I Labor Day Face-Off in Marlboro, Massachusetts.

They will face some of the top Tier I U16 teams in the nation, including the New Jersey Devils, who they narrowly lost to 4-3 in their final game of the 2005 USA Hockey National Championships.

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

A Parent Meeting has been scheduled for this Thursday, August 11th at 6:30pm in the Alliance locker room area for the Midget Minor AAA team. Please check your email for items and information to bring.

Monday, August 8, 2005

Rosters and Schedules have been posted for all teams, please click on the team link along the side of the web site for the team you want to see. Player profile pictures and additional information is in the process of being collected, and the pages will be updated as this information is received. If you see a need for a correction or have additional information (and you probably will), please notify your team manager.