Tri-Valley Girls Ice Hockey Team Makes History, Wins Championship

Thanksgiving weekend was a victorious one for the Lady Blue Devils as the 10 and Under squad captured the championship banner at the 2017 Lady Ducks Fall Classic Hockey Tournament that took place on November 24-25 in Lakewood, CA. This is the first championship banner in the history of the Lady Blue Devils girls’ hockey program that was started at Tri-Valley Minor Hockey Association in 2013. And the girls earned it in a dramatic fashion.

The Lady Blue Devils lost their first game to the San Diego Gulls (1-3). Then the girls rallied to beat the San Jose Jr. Sharks (8-0) and the Anaheim Lady Ducks (3-0). These two shutouts earned the Lady Blue Devils a place in the finals and a rematch against the San Diego Gulls, who went 3-0 in round robin games. The championship game was a tough and nerve-wracking battle that went into sudden death overtime tied at zero and then a shootout. Jazlynn Jefferson #2, after a dominating two-way play all weekend, scored the lone and championship-winning goal in the shootout. While the Lady Blue Devils goaltender Alexandra Fernandez #81, wrapped up her 3rd consecutive shutout. Remarkably, Cali Byrd #10 lead the division in scoring points as she scored 5 goals and earned 2 assists for Lady Blue Devils in the tournament.

“I am beyond excited for these girls to see success of their effort,“ said Lady Blue Devils Girls Hockey Director and Head Coach Alex Kaplenko. “Many of them have been with us from the early days of the program and are developing into strong hockey players and confident women while building lifelong memories and friendships.”

“This is an incredible day for the Lady Blue Devils Program,” said Dave Curtis, the Tri-Valley Minor Hockey Association President. “The dedication to building this program from the directors, coaches, players, and parents over the past years is the reason for the success of this program.”

The Lady Blue Devils 10U team of Kayla Baumann-Norris, Cali Byrd, Adriana Fernandez, Alexandra Fernandez, Andrea Fernandez, Natalia Frost, Jazlynn Jefferson, Amber Kaplenko, Cora Kerton, Anna Markova, Sofia Tichauer, Madison Wingerd, and Haley Woelkers are led by the coaching staff of Alex Kaplenko, Matt Jefferson, Reto Baumann, Derek Kerton, and Nick Byrd and team manager, Suzanne Wingerd.

Lady Blue Devils is the girls’ ice hockey program under Tri-Valley Minor Hockey Association (TVMHA) that operates out of Dublin Iceland in Dublin and TriValley Ice in Livermore, CA. Its mission is to provide a welcoming, educational, and competitive environment while removing barriers that would keep young ladies from this wonderful team sport. Since starting the program in 2013 with about 20 kids, Lady Blue Devils have had over 100 girls wear the jersey with pride and are currently offering opportunities for girls of all ages and all skills to join its growing family. In the 2017-18 season Lady Blue Devils field 8U, 10U, 12U and 14/16U teams.

For more information about Lady Blue Devils and girls’ ice hockey in Tri-Valley please visit: http://www.trivalleyminorhockey.com/lady.