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Home of the two-time USA Hockey National Champions Sioux City Metros
USA Hockey 2018 High School Hockey National Championships
Plymouth, MN / March 22nd-26th, 2018
A collection of Championship teams from all over the country converge in Plymouth, MN to compete for the High School National
Championship. The tournament is held in the Plymouth Ice Center; a three sheet facility that boasts sixteen locker rooms, meeting
rooms and concession area. It is a collaborative public-private endeavor between the Wayzata School District, Providence Academy,
Life Time Fitness and the State of Minnesota.
USA Hockey 2018 High School Hockey National Champions
Sioux City Metros
USA Hockey 2018 National Tournament Top Scorers
Three Metros finish among the tournaments top ten scorers
James Page Chase Lewison Drake Beller
Just like the regular season, all three Metros prove they are consistant scorers in this national Championship tournament.
James Page leads the Metros in scoring, and finishes among the tournament’s top three scorers; recording five goals and
four assists. Chase Lewison scors all three goals in the win over the Newark Generals and adds two additional tallies for
five tournament goals. The Midwest League’s top scorer Blake Beller records three red-lighters and a pair of helpers.
Between The Pipes
Junior goaltender Blake Beller would carry the mail this season for the Metros. Backstopping the Metros to both regular
season and post-season Championships. He would record a league leading twenty-five regular season wins and five shut-outs.
He would grab three more wins, including another shut-out helping the Metros to their seventh League Championship.
This week would be a busy one for Blake. He would see time in all six National Championship games; including a
victoious double-header on Saturday against Billings and Newark. With the exception of one bad afternoon, he never
surendered more than three goals in a game, and held his opponets to one-goal games three times.
Assistant Coach Head Coach Assistant Coach
Jesse Monell Dave LeGree Dale Feriches
Insert Photos Here Insert Photos Here
2018 USA Hockey Division II (Combined) Participants
Tournament teams are divided into two different classifications. Division I or Pure Teams are teams drawing from one
specific school district. Division II or Combined/Blended Teams are organizations that will draw players from multiple
school districts or surrounding towns. As both Midwest League regular season and post season Champions, the Metros
arrive ready to represent the state of Iowa.
Divided into four different pools, each team plays their opponents once. Only the first two teams advance to Sunday’s
double-header play-off round; pitting the winner of one pool taking on the second place finisher of a different pool. Later that
day, the winners of both contests play for an opportunity to advance to the National Championship game the following day.
Pool-USA
Plano West Wolves (Texas) * St. Johns Bosco Braves (California) * Kings Park/Commack Kingsmen (New York)
Omaha Jr. Lancers (Nebraska)
Pool-NHL
Monarch Coyotes (Colorado) * Sioux City Metros (Iowa) * Manatee Admirals (Florida) * Newark Generals (Ohio)
Pool-Olympic
Oldham County (Kentucky) * Salt Lake Stars (Utah) * Gillette Wild (Wyoming) * NW Arkansas Razorbacks (Arkansas)
Pool-Liberty
Billings Bulls (Montana) * Greenville G-Force (South Carolina) * Wichita Jr. Thunder (Kansas)
Las Vegas Jr. Golden Knights (Nevada)
USA Hockey National Tournament Game 1
Thursday, March 22nd
Sioux City (Iowa) Metros vs. Manatee (Florida) Admirals
Sioux City Metros
Who They Are: The Metros are members of the twelve team Midwest High School Hockey League. The League features
combined high school teams teams from Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri. Located in Sioux City, Iowa. The Metros draw from a
surrounding area of approximately 85,000 residents.
How they Got There: The Metros would dominate the Midwest League this season posting a 25-3 record and capturing
the League’s regular season championship. The Metros would enter the League/State Tournament, eventually defeating high
school teams from Waterloo, Des Moines and Mason City, winning their seventh overall League/State Championship.
How’d They Do: The Tournament’s combined high school division was divided into two pools with the Metros drawing
entry to the second pool. They are considered the long shot team in their pool. The Metros start out with a victory over
Manatee Florida Admirals. The following day the Metros, take a severe beating form the Monarch Colorado Coyotes.
However, the Metros are able to rebound with wins against the Newark Generals, Plano Wolves and the Billings Bulls
sending them to the National Championship game
Manatee Admirals
Who They Are: Manatee Admirals (Division 2-Combined) Located in Florida, Manatee county is just south of Tampa
Bay. The Admirals draw from players located inside this county that boasts a population of over 350,000 residents. They
are members of the Lightning High School Hockey League located in the Tampa Bay area. The league is a division of
the Statewide Armature Hockey of Florida (SAHOF) Association.
How Did They Get There: They would win their chance to advance to the USA Hockey National Tournament with a
4-1 win over the Miami-Dade Alliance. Along the way, Manatee out-scored their opponents 39-7 handing out a pair
of double-digit beatings and two blankings on the way to their State Championship victory. Admirals’ Peter Morgan
would lead the tournament scoring 18 goals and 22 points and Goaltender Tyler Moschella recorded a pair of shut-outs
and a State Tournament record setting .43 (GAA) goals against average over the five game tournament.
How’d They Do: They would grab just a single win this weekend, defeating the Newark Generals 5-3. However, 6-1
and 5-3 losses to Colorado Monarch and eventual National Champions, the Sioux City Metros, end the Admirals
hopes for a tournament championship.
5 – Metros vs. Manatee Admirals -3
Game One / March 22nd
The Metros open the tournament with an early morning start on rink B, against the Manatee Admirals. The Admirals
strike first mid-period, when Peter Morgan gets the first goal of the game. Metros Drake Beller would answer back
minutes later on a feed from James Page. The first period ends tied at one a piece.
In the second, again it’s the Admirals with the first goal of the period. It takes the Metros a while, but with just under four
minutes in the period, Drake Beller strikes again on another assist from James Page tieing the game at two each. With two
minutes remaining, brother Max Beller, lights the lamp giving the Metros the lead for the first time 3-2.
James Page Drake Beller
Left: James Page records assists on both of the Metros first goals and grabs one of his own; the final tally in
this Metros win. Right: Drake Beller notches two important goals in this opening round game; twice tying the
game before the Metros could eventually grab the lead and an eventual victory. He would also add an assist on
the game’s final tally as the Metros grab this first round 5-3 win.
Sioux City would score two more times in the third on twine-ticklers from Cale Bricker and this time its Drake
Beller returning the favor, setting up James Page up for the final goal of the game Manatee slips a third goal past
Blake Beller, bolstering their spirits; but they can’t get anything going and the Metros win the opener 5-3. James Page
and Drake Beller each record three points and Blake Beller turns away twenty-four Manatee shots.
Cale Bricker Blake Beller
Left: Sophmore Cale Bricker give the Metros a one goal lead scoring early in the third period. Right: Blake
Beller gets some pressure from the Manatee Captain Patrick Kenefick; he would lead the Admirals in scoring this
weekend; recording four goals & two assists. However, His goal and assist were not enough in this contest, as the
Metros go on to stop the Admirals 5-3. Blake would stop twenty-four Admiral shots on goal, helping the Metros
capture their first ever USA Hockey National Tournament Victory.
Grant Newman Walt Werden
High scoring Senior defenceman Grant Newman and Walter Werden form the cornerstone of this stalwart Metros
defensive corps this season. Walt would record four goals and twenty-seven assists during the regular season. His thirty-one
points leads all team defenceman in scoring and is the overall fourth highest scorer. Grant rounds out the top five Metro
scorers; grabbing five goals and nineteen helpers. He would also notch a red-lighter in the win over Billings in game three.
USA Hockey National Tournament Game 2
Friday, March 23rd
Sioux City (Iowa) Metros vs. Monarch (Colorado) Coyotes
Monarch Coyotes
Who They Are: BHC (Boulder Hockey Club) Monarch Coyotes (Division 2-Combined) Based out of Louisville,
Colorado located just north of Denver they draw players from the Boulder area boasting a population of nearly 400,000.
They are members of the Foothills Conference; a division of the Colorado High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) .
How They Got There: The Coyotes would make the State Tournament’s final four, but the tournament favorite is
knocked-out by eventual State Champions Valor Christian. Coyote Forwards Leo Felt, Connor Akerson and goalie
Reese Kelly all selections to the Foothills Conference’s First Team. Felt and Akerson are State wide Honorable
Mentions, as is defenseman Yunta Young.
How’d They Do: Monarch entered the tournament as one of the favorites to win and they lived up to the billing. Out
scoring their first three opponents, Newark, Sioux City & Manatee 21-3. The tournament looked to be a lock for the
players from the Rocky Mountain State. However, in Sundays’ double header, the two teams from South Carolina and
California made them work a little harder for those final two wins; still boasting a 5-0 record they advanced to the title game.
1-Metros vs. Monarch Coyotes-8
Game Two / March 23rd
On a full days rest, the Metros prepare to take on the pool’s favorite, the Monarch Coyotes from Colorado. Both teams
are fresh off opening day wins; the Coyotes beating the Newark Ohio Generals 7-1 and the Metros win over the Admirals.
Just over two minutes into the game, Colorado scores first, but the Metros answer quickly on a goal from James Page.
With the game tied, the Coyotes begin to intimidate the Metros; unleashing their huge in stature and well experienced line-up.
Colorado takes four penalties, and still manages to score two more goals in the first period for a 3-1 lead.
After that, it’s all Colorado. Sioux City takes three penalties in the second period and the Coyotes answer with two regular
strength goals, a power play and a shortie, giving them a 7-1 lead after two.
Colorado eventually takes their foot off the gas in the third, as the worn-out Metros can’t mount any type of response.
The Coyotes score just one time in the third, giving the Metros their first lose and a discouraging 1-1 record.
National Tournament Player Recap
Reece McDonald Kolten Kane
Left: Junior Reece McDonald finishes among the Metros top seven scorers during the regular season notching eight goals and
seven helpers. He would record a goal and an assist this National Championship run. Right: Just a freshman this season,
Kolton Kane also finishes the regular season with fifteen points and grabs a goal and a pair of assists this championship week.
James Page Alec Neiman
Left: Captain James Page would finish as the Midwest League’s second highest scorer; grabbing thirty-one goals and
twenty-seven assists, he did lead the league with eleven game winning goals. James would also lead the Metros in scoring
this championship week; recording five red-lighters and four helpers. Right: Junior Alec Nieman is another part of
the impressive Metros defensive corps. Recording three assists during the regular season, Alec came-up big when he
scored the over-time goal in the Plano game, sending the Metros to the championship game.
USA Hockey National Tournament Game 3
Saturday, March 24th
Sioux City (Iowa) Metros vs. Newark (Ohio) Generals 
Newark Generals
Who They Are: Newark Generals (Division 2-Combined) Members of the Ohio Scholastic Hockey League (OSHL)
six-team division is populated with teams in and surrounding the Columbus, Ohio area. This area is the state’s third most
populated metro region with nearly 2 million residents. They are a division of the Ohio High School Athletic Association.
How They Got There: The Generals played thirty-eight game regular season games in addition to six more in the
statewide CBJ Tournament and five for in the Buckeye Cup State Tournament. They would finish first in their six-team
division with twenty wins, a single loss and three ties. Thirteen points ahead of the league’s runner-up.
How’d They Do: The Generals started the tournament out on a bad foot when they take a beating from one of the
pool’s favorites, the Monarch Coyotes, in a 7-1 loss. They played the Florida Admirals close, but fell short in a second
5-3 loss. Game three was more of the same, giving up three goals and only solving Sioux City net minder Blake
Beller once, they headed back home with no wins.
3-Metros vs. Newark Generals-1
Game Three / March 24th
Day three pits the Metros against the Newark Generals. The Generals have had a rough start thus far; taking an
opening game beating by the Monarch Coyotes 7-1 and losing a thriller to the Manatee Admirals 5-3. Both teams
enter the game facing tournament elimination. It will be the first of many must-win situations for the Metros
The game stays deadlocked until mid-period when the Generals get on the board first. However, on the very next
play Chase Lewison finds the back of the net, tieing the game and swinging the momentum Sioux City’s way.
The second period is another a physical one, with both teams seeing significant time in the box. This is the perfect
atmosphere for grinder Chase Lewison and he scores again, on assists from James Page and Reece McDonald.
The Metros ratchet-up the contact this final period, drawing five penalties compared to Newark’s three. The game
remains tied until four minutes in to the last period, it’s Chase Lewison with his third goal of the game, finding
the net on a feed from Max Beller.
The penalties continue to mount throughout the third, but Sioux City remains perfect on the penalty kill, denying the
Generals on every power play opportunity. By the time the final horn sounds; Chase Lewison has a Hat Trick, the
Metros have an important win and most importantly…Blake Beller is back!!!
Chase Lewison Grant Newman
Left: Chase Lewison scores all three Metros goals in this win over the entry from Ohio. He ties the game in the first on
an unassisted goal at 10:30. He get the game winner in the second period with assists from James Page and Reece McDonald.
Chase’s third goal comes from a feed from Metros leading scorer Blake Beller. Right: Grant Newman leads the defensive
corps in this third round victory limiting the Generals to just a single goal in the first period.
Max Beller Easton Ransford
Left: Junior Max Beller played a big part in the Metros successful defensive corps known for limiting the number of shots
making it to the net. Max would play the role as the Team’s Heavy Hitter leading the Metros in penalties during the regular
season. During tournament time, he played his usual physical game but limited his time in the box to just a single minor over
the six tournament games. Right: Freshman Easton Ransford’s goal, to just crack the varsity line-up, was far surpassed
when he ended-up becoming a varsity regular, playing in all twenty-eight games, three MHSHL Championship games and
five of six games played in the USA Hockey National Championship tournament.
Connor Sand Drake Beller
Left: Metros top-three scorer and Senior Connor Sand finishes the regular season with thirteen goals and twenty
assists, including three game winners. However, there were none more important than his game winner in the Billings
game, sending the Metros to the semi-finals and a chance at a national championship. Right: Midwest League top
scorer Drake Beller records twenty-six goals & forty-three assists, for a league leading sixty-nine points. He would
grab three goals this week, including the championship game winning goal against the Monarch Coyotes,
and a pair of assists.
USA Hockey National Tournament Game 4
Sunday, March 25th
Sioux City (Iowa) Metros vs. Billings (Montana) Bulls
Billings Bulls
Who They Are: Billings Bulls (Division 2-Combined) Members of the Montana Armature Hockey Association
(MAHA) The Bulls draw players from the greater Billings metro area representing a population of 170,000 people.
How they Got There: The Billings Bulls would cap-off a dominant high school hockey season finishing the season
with a 25-0 record against their instate rivals. They out-score their opponents 218-21; they place seven players
among the league’s top ten scores, six of them average over two points per game and both goalies surrender less
than a goal a game. They would make quick work of the State Tournament competition winning all three games
and advancing to the National Tournament.
How’d They Do: Billings would start the tournament with a 7-3 win over the entry from Kansas, the Wichita Jr.
Thunder. Game two was another victory for the Bulls, beating the Greenville, South Carolina team 4-3. Saturday
the Bulls took on the Las Vegas Jr. Golden Knights; lighting the lamp repeatedly in a 9-1 win. Entering their next
game against the underdog Metros…they like their chances
5-Metros vs. Billings Bulls-1
Game Four / March 25th
As the tournament builds, the games all become must-win situations, as any loss sends the loser packing. Today’s Double
Header puts the Metros up against the Billings Bulls; fresh off a perfect season; winning both the regular season and Montana
State Championship. They out scored their opponents 218 to 21 during the regular season and played a goalie who gave up
less than a goal per game. The Bulls are also one of the leaders in pool play, having beat Wichita 7-3, Greenville 4-3
and Las Vegas 9-1.
Sioux City breaks their streak of giving up the first goal of the game, when Chase Lewison continues his scoring blitz, capitalizing
on a Bulls penalty he gives the Metros an early lead. The second period is a back and forth affair with neither team finding the net.
However, just a 1:29 into the third period, Connor Sand scores, giving the Metros the lead and the momentum. Six minutes
later James Page lights the lamp and the Metros are up 3-1. The Bulls are down, but not out – until Grant Newman and
Taylor Frerichs put the remaining nails in the Bulls coffin. Billings slips one past Blake Beller with less than two minutes left,
ruining the shut-out but giving the Metros another win over a favored team.
Chase Lewison Connor Sand
Left: Chase Lewison continues his scoring streak, fresh off a prior game hat trick, he gets the Metros on the board first,
scoring at 10:24 of the first period on a pair of assists from Reece McDonald and Grant Newman. Right: Connor Sand
records the game winner; this third period shot that gets past goaltender Cole Curry and puts the Metros ahead 2-0.
Walter Werden Easton Ransford Drake Beller Blake Beller Grant Newman
One thing is for sure on this Metros team – there was always help in front of the net. Scores and grinders alike all made
it back to lend to the defense a helping hand. In the form of thoroughly covered attackers and multiple blocked shots-putting
shots on goal was a chore for most opponents. If and when those shots got through, the Midwest League’s best goaltender
was able to stop all but a few of them.
Did You Know…By the time the National Championship Tournament wrapped-up, Blake Beller has posted a total season
record of 33 wins and only 4 losses.
Blake Beller Kolton Kane
Left: Blake Beller plays perfect hockey stopping almost every Billings shot on goal and successfully turning back six
for their power play opportunities. With just a minute and a half remaining in the game, the Bulls slip one passed Blake
ruining his bid for his first tournament shut-out. Right: Kolton Kane picks up an assist on the the Metros third goal of
the game, putting them ahead 3-0.
Cale Bricker Tyler Ownby Drake Beller
Left: Cale Bricker and Tyler Ownby move up ice with a Billings defender close on their heels. Tyler would grab an assist on
the final Metros goal by Taylor Frerichs. Right: Drake Beller brings the puck into the Bulls attacking zone.
James Page Kolton Kane James Page Alec Neiman
Left: James Page beats a pair of defenders, shoots and scores on Billings goaltender Cole Curry. The goal puts the Metros on
top, with just a half of period remaining. Right: Kolton Kane picks-up the assist and he, James and Alec Neiman celebrate
a commanding 3-0 Metros lead.
Grant Newman Taylor Frerichs
While a 3-0 lead is not insurmountable, the Bulls remain hopeful, until at the ten minute mark when sophomore
Taylor Frerichs scores and dampens any hopes of a Bulls rally. Thirty-nine seconds later, Grant Newman hammers
the puck in the net and the final nail in the Bulls coffin. The Metros win 5-1, defeat another favored team and stay
alive to play again.
USA Hockey National Tournament Game 5
Sunday, March 25th
Sioux City (Iowa) Metros vs. Plano-West (Texas) Wolves
Plano-West Wolves
Who They Are: Plano West Wolves are Members of the Texas Armature Hockey Association High School Blended
Division. Located in northern Texas, Plano West is a hockey club drawing from the greater Plano area, measuring
some 300,000 plus residents.
How they Got There: The Texas State Tournament is a round robin format of the state’s remaining best four teams.
Plano west earns wins in all three games games beating McKinney, Frisco and Keller hockey clubs. They defeat The Frisco
Hockey Association 2-1 in the State Championship game and advance to the National Championship tournament.
How’d They Do: The Wolves are another team that starts the tournament with regular wins, but who’s hopes are
dashed by the eventual tournament champs. Representing the state of Nebraska, the Omaha Lancers are no match for the
Wolves and fall 4-2. The team from New York, Kings Park plays them a bit closer but the Texans come out on top again 2-1.
St. John Bosco is next on the schedule, this game takes extra time, but the results are the same, a Plano West victory.
Sunday’s double header starts off easy with the Wolves scoring at will and beating the Gillette (Wyoming) Wild 6-0.
However, it is the Sioux City Metros playing the role as spoiler again, when the Metros score in overtime and send the
Wolves home with their tail between their legs.
2-Metros vs. Plano-West Wolves-1
Game Five / March 25th
Sunday’s second game of the day sees the Metros enter the contest as underdogs again; facing one of the best teams
in Texas and another undefeated team in pool play. So far, the Wolves have dispatched the Omaha Lancer 4-2,
Kings Park/Commack 2-1, St John Bosco Braves 3-2 and the Gillette Wild 6-0.
However, as the puck drops, the high scoring Wolves find themselves locked in a defensive battle with a Metros team
with a well equipped defensive and goaltending corps. James Page scores in the first period, with helpers from Alec Neiman
and Kolton Kane. The Wolves post a retaliatory goal later in the period and the first period ends tied at one a piece.
After that, no one can find the back of the net as Montana & Iowa’s best two goaltenders go toe-to-toe and after three
periods the game remains tied.
The additional period continues until 11:04 into overtime when Kolton Kane sends a Drake Beller pass directly to the
waiting Alec Nieman. His shot beats the Plano goaltender and sends the Metros to the National Championship game.
James Page Alec Nieman Kolton Kane Drake Beller Kolton Kane James Page
Left: James Page puts Sioux City on the board with assists from Alec Neiman and Kolton Kane. Plano will answer back
six minutes later, but after that, its all up to the goalies. The games remained tied after thee periods. Right: James Page and
Kolton Kane battle Plano-West for puck. The game goes back and forth with shots from both teams but none solving
either goaltender.
The Sioux City Metros prepare for the team’s first ever National Tournament showcase.
Blake Beller
Entering today’s the championship game, The Metros and Blake Beller both have the specter of the tournament ‘s second
game hanging over them; an 8-1 beating by these same Monarch Coyotes. Even though the Metros rebounded and won three
straight games, they enter the game as underdogs again, and few observers give them any chance in this rematch. However,
with a team loaded with character, players who score at the right time and a championship caliber net minder, the Metros know
they have a chance.
USA Hockey National Tournament Championship Game 6
Monday, March 26th
3-Sioux City Metros vs. Monarch Coyotes-2
Championship Game / March 25th
Monday morning’s USA National Championship game pits the Monarch Coyotes against the Sioux City Metros. The
Coyotes enter the championship game having gone undefeated in pool play; defeating Newark, Manatee, Greenville,
St John Bosco and these same Sioux City Metros; along the way, they out scored their opponents 3:1.
Sioux City enters the game having defeated Manatee, Newark, Billings and Plano West; their only lose was a crushing
8-1 defeat to these Coyotes. Sioux City enters another game as the underdog and this time as a dog with little chance at all.
The first period sees the Coyotes continue their domination over the Metros, scoring twice in the first six minutes and
stifling the Metros attack. The game looks to be another route by the Rocky Moutian Staters.
However with four and a half minutes left in the first period, Chase Lewison grabs the puck off a Monarch forward and
slides to over to Reece McDonald. His shot beats the Monarch goalie, putting the Metros back in the game and scoring
the goal that would later be credited as turning the tide of the game.
The Metros find themselves locked in another well prepared for defensive battle. With just under a minute and a half
remaining in the scoreless second period, James Page lights the lamp, giving the Metros the lead and putting the
Coyotes on their heels for the first time all weekend.
Early in the third, James Page bumps a pass of the boards to a waiting Drake Beller and it’s off to the races. Drake
beats two Monarch defenders, cuts across the slot and launches a wrister that whizzes past the Monarch net minder
for the eventual 2018 National Championship game winning goal.
Chase Lewison Walter Werden
Left: When Chase Lewison steals the puck off a breaking Monarch forward it is the beginning of the end for the
heavily favored favored Monarch Coyotes. Right: Walt Werden keeps a close eye on one of the Monarch’s high
scorers, Oliver Diasabey. The Metros stellar “D” limited the high scoring Coyotes to two early goals but after that they
shut them out for nearly forty-five minutes straight.
Blake Beller
It takes Blake and the Metros six minutes to adjust and catch-up to the Colorado attack. Unfortunately, by then the Metros are
two goals down; the first goal, a high snapper that beats Blake on the glove side. The second is a front-of-the-net scramble that
slips into the net on his stick side. However, from then on…these are Blake’s the only two mistakes; he plays perfect hockey
the next forty-five minutes straight, shutting down three Colorado power plays and stopping twenty-seven shots on goal.
Chase Lewison
Sets-up the Metros First Goal…
With four and half minutes remaining in the first period, the Metros find themselves still down by two goals. Another commanding
victory by the Coyotes looks to be inevitable, however, when Chase Lewison steals the puck from a breaking Monarch forward,
the tide is about to turn. Waiting at the blue line for his partners Connor Sand and Reece McDonald to tag-up, he brings the puck
in the zone. Both defenders elect to play the body, but Chase is able to slide the puck past the two collapsing defenders over to a
wide open Reece McDonald and a trailing Connor Sand
Reece McDonald
…Turns the Tide
After a quick tag at the line, Reece already has a full head of steam; he takes the pass and is streaking to the net, however, he
too has a pair of Colorado defenders to beat and that he does. Neither can can get close enough to deter his shot and his wrister
beats the Colorado goaltender on the stick side and the Metros are on the board. While this isn’t the game winning goal, it’s the
goal that changed the whole momentum of the game and from this point on…it’s all Sioux City.
Connor Sand James Page
Left: Connor Sand works the puck out from behind the Colorado net. Sioux City’s first goal is a huge; cutting the Monarch
lead in half and changing the games momentum for good. Connor and Chase Lewison would assist on the Metros first goal,
when Reece McDonald beats the Colorado goaltender on the stick side. Right: James Page gets a first period shot on Colorado
goaltender Reese Kelly but is stopped…this time. James will eventually foil the seemingly unbeatable goaltender when with a
minute and a half remaining in the second period he ties the game at two goals apiece.
Grant Newman
The Metros third pillar of success was their defense. Lead all season by Seniors Grant Newman, Walter Werden and
Christian Petersen; there seemed to be no offence they couldn’t adjust to and eventually naturalize. Grant Newman is
shown here successfully blocking a Coyotes centering pass and denying the opposition a shot on goal. Throughout the
season, the Metros, both forwards and defense blocked potential scoring opportunities on a regular basis.
Tyler Ownby Cale Bricker
Freshman Tyler Ownby wins this draw against Monarch Mitchell Ganem and sophomore Cale Bricker looks to beat
James Scatena into the attacking zone. Both youngsters saw significant time in this National Tournament, with both players
suiting-up for five of the six games, including the championship game.
James Page
Scores the equalizer!!!
Left: James Page scores with a minute and a half remaining in the second period with what is described as the USA Hockey
Announcers as “… second effort, third effort, fourth effort” when he out-muscles four Monarch players, finally beating Monarch
goalie Reece Kelly and tieing the game at two goals apiece. Right: Drake Beller and Kolton Kane collect assists on this goal
that gives spark the Metros eventual victory and National Championship.
James Page
Drake Beller
…with the Winner
Right: With two and a half minutes into the third period, James Page bumps a pass from to corner along the board to a waiting
Drake Beller where he grabs the biscuit and is off to the races. He splits the defense between the red and blue line, then cuts
across the high slot, essentially splitting them a second time. His wrist shot finds the net, beating the Monarch goalie on the stick
side. Right: James Page, Grant Newman, and Kolton Kane help Drake Beller celebrate the eventual game and National
Championship winner.
Click above to see the Championship Game highlights as well as hear the Voice of the Metros call the last goal and the final seconds countdown
National Champions!!!!!
The Metros hold off the heavily favored Monarch Coyotes repeated attempts to tie the game before the third period ends and
do so with success as the Metros become the 2018 USA Hockey National Champions.
Metros – Sioux City, IA
2018 National Champions
Who They Are: The Metros are members of the twelve team Midwest High School Hockey League. The League features
combined high school teams teams from Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri. Located in Sioux City, Iowa. The Metros draw from a
surrounding area of approximately 85,000 residents.
How they Got There: The Metros would dominate the Midwest League this season posting a 25-3 record and capturing
the League’s regular season championship. The Metros would enter the League/State Tournament, eventually defeating high
school teams from Waterloo, Des Moines and Mason City winning their seventh League/State Championship.
How’d They Do: The Tournament combined high school division was divided into two pools with the Metros drawing
entry to the second pool. They are considered the long shot team in their pool. The Metros start out with a victory over
Manatee Florida Admirals. The following day the Metros, take a severe beating form the Monarch Colorado Coyotes.
However, the Metros are able to rebound with wins against the Newark Generals, Plano Wolves and the Billings Bulls
sending them to the National Championship game. This time they stun the heavily favored Monarch Coyotes winning their
first ever national Championship.
Grant Newman Blake Beller James Page Connor Sand 2018 National Champions
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