Bear Market

KAHA club advances USA Hockey youth national semifinals

The Knoxville Jr. Ice Bears sit atop Pool B entering Friday’s final round of pool play. Photos by Jolanda Jansma

By Stefan Cooper
Editor
Blount Press Row

The Knoxville Amateur Hockey Association Jr. Ice Bears are assured a place in Saturday’s semifinals after a win this afternoon at the USA Hockey Youth National Championships in Wayne, N.J.

The Ice Bears meet the Bozeman (Mont.) Ice Dogs at Ice Vault Arena on Friday at 5:3 p.m. The Ice Bears hold an aggregate three-goal lead atop Pool B, with both teams already through to the semifinals.

Doc’s All American Grille at 7355 Kingston Pike will host a viewing party for the team, complete with live streaming of the game.

The Ice Bears defeated the Morgantown (W.Va.) Blades, 6-3, in Wednesday’s opener and the Columbia (S.C.) Cyclones, 7-1, earlier today.

Braden Pichel leads the Ice Bears with three goals in the tournament, with Gage Despins tallying twice. Alcoa senior Aaron Liner, Jacob Fountaine, Lucas Despins, Mason Jobe, Kyle Lindsay, Felix Bjurstrom and Austen Thompson have each put home a goal.

Josh Quarles and Mitchell Kestner have a win each in goal.