DETROIT – The Culver Military Academy boys 16u hockey team won the East Side Elite Top 20 Challenge on Sunday after defeating the SHAHA Panthers 4-3 in the championship match. After being down two goals early, the Eagles rallied back and scored the game winner late in the third to claim the championship.
The five-game road trip to Detroit, Michigan was an overall success for CMA. The Eagles began the tournament with three straight wins over Honeybaked, North Jersey Avalanche, and Victory Honda, winning by an overall margin of 12-3 in those wins.
Things got tighter over the next two games. CMA punched their ticket to the semifinals with a 4-3 overtime win against the Seacoast Spartans on Saturday. In the semifinals, they won again in overtime 2-1 over Little Caesars 16u.
The East Side Elite Hockey League Top 20 Challenge is an annual tournament featuring teams from all over North America. Competing in unique tournament experiences such as this is just another reason why the Culver Academies hockey program is viewed as one of the best. Not only are the student-athletes challenged in the classroom, but they are also challenged in the rink.
At the conclusion of the 2022-2023 16u hockey season, CMA’s athletes will have played in five top-level tournaments, including the USHL American Cup and the USA Hockey National Tournament. Looking ahead to next season, many of these 16u players will be playing on the CMA prep hockey team, where they will participate in more prestigious tournaments, playing against more skilled opponents.
Next up for the CMA 16u hockey team is a two-game home series against the Pens Elite 16u squad on February 18 and 19.
