Youth Sports Report:

Gaither/Sickles earns State Hockey title

Posted Mar 22, 2010 by Nick Murray

Updated Mar 22, 2010 at 02:23 AM

OLDSMAR – Gaither/Sickles got a hat trick from Eric Klausner, and held off a strong third-period rally by Bloomingdale, to win the Florida State Hockey’s Combined Division with a 4-3 victory at the Tampa Bay Skating Academy on Sunday afternoon.

The title was Gaither/Sickles’ second straight, and fourth in the last five seasons.

Gaither/Sickles started strongly, pinning the Ice Bulls in their own end for much of the first period, and Klausner scored twice within the first seven minutes to give his side a 2-0 lead.

“You need certain players to have a jump in their skate,” Gaither/Sickles coach Dan Bubley said of Klausner. “It really was just will, he had a jump in his skate, great individual effort.”

Klausner was ably assisted by linemates Conner Ellis and Daniel Fritz, who both assisted on each of the opening goals. The Bulls pulled a goal back late in the first period through Fisher Sutherland, who scored on an excellent solo effort, but Gaither/Sickles regained the momentum in the second period as Klausner completed his hat trick before Rich Hill added a fourth with 37 seconds to play in the period.

Bloomingdale got on track in the third period as Gaither/Sickles tried to protect its lead, and a goal by Austin Carmody cut the lead to two with 9:31 to play. Jeremy White then set up Ricky Cassidy in front to make it a one-goal game, but the Bulls were unable to complete the comeback.

“They fought hard all weekend,” Bloomingdale coach Mike Falbo said. “They did what they were supposed to do. They’ve come a long way from the beginning of the season. I’m proud of them.”