As inevitable as it might have seemed, it was still a first the Kaua’i InLine Hockey Association (KIHA) would have liked to avoid. But the run of success could not last forever. For the first time in seven years, a
As inevitable as it might have seemed, it was still a first the Kaua’i InLine Hockey Association (KIHA) would have liked to avoid.
But the run of success could not last forever.
For the first time in seven years, a Kaua’i team did not win the 17-and-under (Midget) division of the 2001 USA Hockey InLine Regional Championships held in mid-June on Oahu. The Garden Island also fielded teams in the 14-, 12- and 10-and-under divisions. Squads were comprised of all-stars selected after Kaua’i’s own YMCA InLine Hockey League season ended.
Ho’okahi Ikaika, the Kaua’i entry in the midget division, lost just once in pool play – 5-4 to Mililani. It also lost to Mililani again in the championship game of the division.
“Our 17-and-unders knew it was going to be a tough year,” said Lon Shimanuki, league director for the Kaua’i program. “We knew Mililani was going to be good and they were.”
Matt Fujikawa paced the midgets with seven goals and four assists. Derrick Laguatan had three goals and eight assists.
But the KIHA did manage to come through in the 10-and-under division. Na Alaka’i defeated the Oahu Flames three times in a row – each win coming by a single goal – to win the championship.
Noah Murray led Na Alaka’i with 12 goals and five assists. Keala Davis scored six goals and dished out nine assists. For his efforts, Davis was named the division’s most valuable player.
The victory at the regional championship entitles Na Alaka’i to attend the USA Hockey National Championship in August. However, cost factors and school schedules will prohibit the team’s attendance.
“We were really pleased with our younger team,” Shimanuki said. “We haven’t had as much success as we would like at that level. It was good to see it this year.”
But, as a whole, the regional championships provided more disappointment than satisfaction.
Kaua’i’s 14-and-under team, Na Koa Kaua’i, “probably went into the tournament as the favorites,” Shimanuki said. “But things just didn’t turn out as well as we would’ve liked in the final.”
By winning three consecutive games in pool play, Na Koa was awarded the top seed for the division tournament. But, in the final, it fell 5-4 in overtime to the Pearl City Kina’Ole Geckos. Na Koa had beaten Pearl City 8-6 in pool play.
Ryan Shimanuki led Kaua’i with eight goals and seven assists, and, despite finishing on the second-place team, was awarded the division’s MVP award. Tyson Wakayama scored 10 goals and had three assists for Kaua’i.
“Based on what we saw over there, Kaua’i’s 17-and-unders will be strong in the years to come,” Shimanuki said. “We still have a very good nucleus and our young kids are strong.”
Holomua, Kaua’i’s entry in the 12-and-under division, fell in three games. Chase Bohn scored both of the team’s goals.
Here are the members of the respective all-star teams that represented Kaua’i:
17-under: Kevin Fujimoto, Carl Tennberg, Ricky Riopta, Derrick Laguatan, Mika Scanlon-Givens, David Laguatan, Johnathan Anderson, Cijay Tanigawa, Shane Estrella, Matthew Fujikawa, Eric Fujikawa, Koree Nadai-Willett, Justin Suga, Anthony Albarado; Coaches: Todd Mayer, Carl Willett, Clarence Tanigawa, Ron Fujimoto
14-under: Travis Taketa, Alohi Costa, Darren Shimanuki, Ryan Shimanuki, Matt Punua, Tyson Wakayama, Aaron Fujimoto, Emily Goodnight, Chase Engel, Jacob Pierce, Wren Perdue, Ty Akama; Coaches: Mike Goodnight, Lon Shimanuki
12-under: Treston Rego, Hatch Benners, Kyle Morgan, Shane Shimanuki, Chase Bohn, Toby Tolentino, Ryder Muellar, Trevor Boro, Bruce Perdue, Daniel Labuguen; Coaches: Les Drent, Lon Shimanuki
10-under: Kristin Hesse, Kristen McCracken, Maegan Pablo, Amanda Meyer, Noa Chun, Keala Davis, Shaun Hashi, Jeremy Robinson, Jason Morgan, Kaysie Ota, Xavier Ikaika Fuerte, Noah Murray; Coaches: Todd Mayer, Jamie Pablo
