Four Oakland Bears teams used the holiday weekend to make the trek 180 miles northeast to South Lake Tahoe this past weekend to compete in the South Lake Tahoe Invitational Hockey Tournament. All four teams, Mites (8U), Squirts (10U), PeeWee (12U) and Bantams (14U) had a great weekend both on and off the ice. 

The Oakland Bears Bantam B team ended the weekend as the only Bantam team not to lose a game, going 1-0-3 in their four games against NORCAL league rivals the South Lake Tahoe Grizzlies and Santa Clara Blackhawks over four days, and brought home the tournament Championship. The team opened the tournament with a convincing 5-1 victory over the host Grizzlies on Friday morning and followed up the effort with two back-to-back, hard-earned ties on Saturday and Sunday against Lake Tahoe and Santa Clara. Monday's final game against the Blackhawks turned out to be a Championship game that the Bears only needed a tie to bring home the banner. An intense game found the Bears down 3-2 late in the 3rd period before Pepito Ascencio scored his second goal of the game with just over 4 minutes remaining to tie the score at 3. The team hung on, weathering a late surge from the Blackhawks who were in need of a win to clinch the Championship. But goaltender Hayden Stocker and the Bears defensive corps stood tough as time expired, and sent gloves, sticks and helmets flying in celebration. 

The Oakland PeeWee team used the tournament as an opportunity to challenge themselves against PeeWee A teams. All of their hard work over the weekend will undoubtedly pay dividends as they close in on securing a playoff spot for the NORCAL Championships, and ultimately one of the two coveted spots in the CAHA State Championships.

Elsewhere around the rink, the Mites embarked on their first full-ice opportunities with a great effort and lots of smiles. The team rotated goaltenders and got great play from everyone throughout the weekend. The Squirts also put in a great effort throughout the weekend filled with lots of hard work and fun despite both teams with tough early morning scheduling draws at 6AM and 5:30AM respectively.

But early morning games just means more time for activities away from the rink, and sure enough, all of the kids kept busy with lots of activities away from the rink as well, including bowling, sledding, swimming in the outdoor heated pool and hot tub, team meals and movie nights and taking in the opening NHL weekend slate of games around town. 

 

Oakland Bears Club Bowling at Tahoe Bowl on Friday night