Over the Thanksgiving Weekend, Capitals Academy Squirt Red team won a berth in the International Silver Stick Sarnia Finals in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, by going unbeaten in the Columbia, Maryland Regional Tournament.

Squirt Red opened round robin play with a 4-4 draw against a tough Montgomery (Md.) Blue Devils Upper Blue squad before moving into the semifinals as the second seed on the strength of 6-0 win over the Red Bank (N.J.) Generals and a 10-1 victory over Montgomery Blue Devils Upper Gold.

In the semifinals, Squirt Red got a rematch with Montgomery’s Upper Blue squad, and after falling behind 1-0, stormed back with three unanswered goals by Brendan Murray, Zachary Martsching and Patrick McNally to take a 3-1 lead. Despite allowing a late goal, Squirt Red Goaltender Carson Peddie made 20 saves to secure a 3-2 win and a date in the final.

Squirt Red faced off with CBHL foe, and tournament host, the Howard Huskies in the final. The fell behind early but got goals from Murray, Connor Siebel and a pair of strikes – including the eventual game winner – from Jack Fucci to secure a 4-3 win and a place in the Sarnia Final.

The team returns to CBHL action this weekend against those same Howard Huskies at Kettle Capitals Iceplex. Congrats to Head Coach Mike Veneri; Assistant Coaches Norm Gardner, Johann Strandlund and Ryan Ullman; and to all the Squirt Red players: Bryce Bjornson, Seth Bond, Cardin Clarke, Jack Gardner, Bennett Haas, Zachary Martsching, Patrick McNally, Brendan Murray, Carson Peddie, Will Schryver, Connor Siebel, Matthew Shay, Noel Strandlund, Jackson Ullman and Will Veneri on a great tournament and good luck in Canada.