Owning Omaha

Check out what teams dominated and took home the championship from our first-ever event in Nebraska.

The CCM Tournament series has expanded significantly during 2020-21, to adapt and provide opportunities for the hockey community during a very challenging season. New events were hosted in Texas and Wisconsin, and most recently, the CCM World Invite Omaha during Presidents’ Day Weekend. With 38 teams from 11 states spanning from Alaska to North Carolina, this six-division tournament over the holiday proved to be a highly diverse and competitive pool of players.

In the six-team 15U Division, Team Illinois upset top-seeded Carolina Jr. Hurricanes 4-3 in the final. The Jr. Canes were unbeaten leading up to the finale on Sunday, and were allowing fewer than two goals per game. However, TI came in averaging more than four goals per game and were able to outscore Carolina in the championship.

The 2006 Division featured four teams from four different states. Hometown favorite Omaha Mastery fell to Sioux Falls in a high-scoring affair, 6-4 on Sunday. However, they’d earn a rematch and a shot to avenge that defeat in a championship matchup the following day. Omaha would be the victors the second time around, outsourcing Sioux Fall 5-4 in the final.

The Cincinnati Swords went undefeated with a 5-0-0 record to win the 2007 AAA Division. In four games leading up to the championship, Cincinnati scored 23 goals and overwhelmed opponents with a high-powered offense. Monday afternoon, the Swords had just enough juice left to edge out Naperville 3-2 to take the title.

In the 2007 AA Division, West Dundee ended the tournament the same way it began, with a shutout victory over St. Louis Knights. The Leafs allowed just six goals against all weekend long, and smothered opponents with a stout defensive effort, leading to a 5-0-0 tournament performance and first-place finish.

The 2008 Division was the largest of the tournament with 10 teams split into two pools. After an opening-game tie, the L.A. Jr. Kings went on an impressive 5-0-0 run that featured four shutouts, including a 4-0 victory over the Madison Capitols in the finale on Monday.

It was a Chicago showdown to decide the 2009 Division, as the Naperville Sabres and Highland Park Falcons squared off. Top-seeded Naperville denied the upset attempt from neighbor Highland Park, holding off the Falcons with a 4-2 win on Monday. Naperville completed the weekend with a 4-1-0 record and 22-8 goal differential.

The hockey season is in the homestretch, and 200×85 has one final event remaining on the winter schedule. Join us for March Sadness next month or check out a complete list of our upcoming spring and summer events HERE.