After winning their first game in the opening round of the Blackhawk Cup tournament, the Glenview Stars Bantam 2 team packed up in a 57-passenger bus and headed north to LaCrosse, Wis. They started off with a 8-2 win over a Bantam A team from Baldwin, Wis. Dylan Gilbert got one of his three tournament hat tricks, with Dan O'Grady and Jay Jennings both adding two goals apiece. Assisting on six of eight goals were Luke Favia, Brian Shiau, Dylan Gilbert, Matt Gale, Peter Leftakes and Charlie Vanderveen.

Later that afternoon, the Stars scoring continued against the Coulee Wild Fire with a hat trick each from Dan O’Grady and Dylan Gilbert. Matt Gale, Alex Rotman, Luke Howland and Luke Favia added to the goal tally. Assists were made from Panos, Leftakes, Montemurro and Shiau. The score was 10 to 1 when the Stars showed great sportsmanship and played puck control for the rest of the game.

Next up was the first of two Minnesota teams: the Eden Prarie Eagles in what was possibly the hardest game of the series. The Stars were focused and up to the challenge. Having his best game of the series was goaltender Devin O'Brien, allowing only one goal with 30 shots against! Gilbert powered his way through with two amazing goals with additional lamp lighters from Gale and Carter. Stars win 4 to 1!

For the championship game, the Stars played a team from Winonam, Minn. The game was chippy from the start with many Stars spending time in the penalty box. The Stars penalty kill was led by Vanderveen and Gale. Gilbert took the puck from just inside the zone and split the two defensemen for the third goal — which proved to be the game winner — in the first period. Stars defensemen Mike Montemuuro, Jimmy Panos, Luke Howland and Brian Shiau played their best game of the tournament and limited Winona to only five shots in the third period which enabled the Stars to hold on to a 3-2 victory!

Coaches Nick Panos and Joe Pace thank all the parents on the trip for their participation and dedication. Some fond memories from the trip include the old fashion ice cream parlor, Big Al’s, Dan taking the kids to Hooters, the Cougars sneaking off to Cheap Shots, and of course the way the kids played the greatest game around — Hockey!