LA Jr Kings Capture 12U Tkachuk Division Championship with Late Surge
The LA Jr Kings emerged victorious in the Tkachuk Division Championship, defeating the Florida Alliance 4-2 in a thrilling contest on December 9 at Belle Tire Arena. The Jr Kings’ relentless attack and clutch performances secured the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League title in style.
The Florida Alliance struck first, with Daniel Budykin (#13) scoring five minutes into the game, assisted by Jack Tenukas (#11) and Peter Morozov (#95). Moments later, Tenukas returned the favor, finding the back of the net with help from Budykin, putting the Alliance up 2-0 in the first period.
The Jr Kings responded quickly, cutting the deficit with a goal from Jack Leibowitz (#33) assisted by Albert Liu (#76) and Cameron Panza (#91). Florida clung to their lead until Egor Karpovtsev (#25) equalized midway through the second period, with Austin McDermott (#47) and Leibowitz contributing to the play.
In the final period, Karpovtsev took center stage, scoring twice to complete his hat trick and seal the victory for the Jr Kings. His first came off another assist from McDermott and Liu, and he capped the game with an unassisted empty-netter in the dying seconds.
The Jr Kings’ goaltender, Donovan Chavez (#88), was instrumental in the win, stopping 19 of 21 shots and holding firm under pressure. Florida’s Kylie Popovski (#93) made 17 saves in a valiant effort for the Alliance.
The Jr Kings’ determination and balanced team effort led to a well-deserved championship win, showcasing the competitive spirit and skill of the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League at its finest.
