Pittsburgh Hornets U18 run out of steam, lose to Chicago Chill 2-0

The Pittsburgh Hornets put up a valiant effort, but sadly could not overcome the exhaustion and fatigue remaning from their thrilling triple overtime win today, loosing to the Chicago Chill 2-0 in this evenings semi-final game. The Hornets fought so hard and skated so well to get to this game, but clearly were suffering from the effects of the triple overtime victory today. There was so much physical, mental and emotional energy expended in the victory over Belle Tire that the Hornet boys simply didn't have enough time to recover during the less than 4 hours between the end of the Belle Tire game and the beginning of the Chicago Chill game.

Take nothing away from the Chicago Chill though. They are one of the top teams in the country and proved it by scoring in the first period and once in the second period to seal the victory, though the Hornets, skating on nothing but heart, desire and pride, had a flurry of good scoring chances toward the end of the third period, but simply ran out of gas, with observers noting how the players were gasping for air during breaks in the action in the third period, as they were so very, very drained by the end of the contest, after a very hard and very long day of playing hockey (literally almost 3 games in one day, consecutively) at the highest levels possible in amateur sport in this country (Tier 1).

The great Coach Vince Lombardi once said "It is time for us to stand and cheer for the doer, the achiever, the one who recognizes the challenge and does something about it." So in that regard, it is time for us to stand and cheer for the Pittsburgh Hornets U18 Midget Major Hockey Team, a team that fought so hard, for so long, and for so well, against difficult odds today and difficult opponents as well.

They didn't quit, they didn't throw in the towel, They battled through the odds today to emerge victorious in triple overtime, and continued to battle just as hard this evening, making this a very close and competitive contest with the Chill, though their strength was sapped from the earlier encounter, in pursuit of a National Championship.

And though they fell short of that goal, perhaps they acheived another, even greater accolade, by earning such great respect from the parents, coaches and fans of amateur hockey that saw them battle to the bitter end under difficult circumstances, with heart, courage, tenacity, desire and pride. Congratulations Pittsburgh Hornets U18 Midget Major Hockey Team, you have done us all, and the Pittsburgh Hornets organization, and yourselves, very proud indeed!

Best of luck to the Chicago Chill as they move on to the National Championship game and congratulations to all of the Pittsburgh Hornets Hockey teams (The Midget Majors, the U16's and the U14's) for their fine showings and efforts in Rochester at the USA Hockey Tier 1 National Championships. You are truly one of the best, and classiest, organizations in Tier 1 Hockey today in the United States.