Buffalo, NY – January 24^th – For Immediate Release

The Cleveland 99 Jr Lumberjacks continued their perfect 2010 with a sweep of both the West Seneca Wings and the Buffalo Regals this past weekend.  Stampede, steamroll, run over – however you want to say it, the 99 Jr Jacks played some fantastic hockey as they wrapped up their Empire West League schedule for the 2009/2010 season.

First up for the 99 Jr Jacks on Saturday were the West Seneca Wings who looked to revenge a 10-2 drubbing by the Jacks earlier in the season.  The first period saw both teams get some scoring chances but it was the 99 Jr Jacks who shook off a little rust and scored to make it 1-0 after one period.  The boys kicked it into high gear in period two scoring three goals to boost the lead to 4-0 heading into the third period.  With the game’s outcome not in doubt, the 99 Jr Jacks made it 5-0 before the Wings got a late goal to make the final score 5-1.

Game Two on Saturday took the 99 Jr Jacks to Holiday Twin Rinks to square off against the Buffalo Regals in what would prove to be the most dramatic game of the weekend.  Having just completed the West Seneca game a few hours before, the 99 Jr Jacks faced an early onslaught from the Regals, who clearly brought their best effort for this contest.  Both teams traded goals for a 1-1 tie after the first period but it was the Regals who gained and used their momentum to grab a 3-1 lead on two second period goals.  The 99 Jr Jacks, however, maintained their composure and discipline and continued their never-say-die work ethic and responded almost immediately with a rebound goal to make it 3-2 heading into the final frame.  As the third period played out, both teams ramped up their scoring chances and intensity but it was the 99 Jr Jacks who would tie the score at 3-3 with just over two minutes left putting the visibly shaken Regals back on their heels.  Then, with only 16 seconds remaining and on a delayed penalty call, the 99 Jr Jacks put a fourth goal by the shocked Buffalo team in what may go down as one of the greatest goals and comebacks in Jacks history.

Game Three on Sunday morning saw the 99 Jr Jacks back at West Seneca to face the Wings and looking to continue their forward momentum.  The game was pretty much a carbon copy of the previous day’s game as the boys raced out to a 5-0 lead and never looked back.  Only a late power play goal spoiled the shutout bid but it was yet another convincing win for the 99 Jr Jacks.

The final game of the weekend was back at Twin Rinks for another tilt against the Buffalo Regals.  The 99 Jr Jacks, who again had just finished playing another game just two hours prior, took on the rested Regals for a chance to complete the weekend sweep.  The 99 Jr Jacks broke the ice early and took a 1-0 lead before the Regals would tie the game at 1-1 heading into the second period.  At this point, the 99 Jr Jacks could have played out the game hoping for a tie but their character and ability to dig down deep and grind out a hockey game showed through as the boys slowly took the game and its momentum away from the Regals.  The 99 Jr Jacks scored took the lead for good midway through the third period on a beautiful cross-crease pass and shot making it 2-1.  The 99 Jr Jacks then took advantage of another undisciplined Buffalo penalty and notched a power play goal to make it 3-1 late but then scored yet another goal on another power play to put the game and Regals away.

“What a great weekend of hockey”, commented Coach Bill Menges.  “Each game was a total team effort of offense, defense and goaltending plus unselfish play.  Ever since that 2-2 game against Rochester back in December, this team has been on a mission.  I’m most impressed with their never give up attitude and their strong character.  This is an exceptional group of 10 year olds”

The 99 Jr Jacks will return to practice for the next two weeks as they prepare for the Team Illinois Tournament February 12^th -14^th.

2010 – The Year of the Jacks – Let’s Go Jacks!

Cleveland’s Tier 1 AAA 99 Hockey Team

Wednesday January 13^th – For Immediate Release

The 24^th ranked Cleveland Jr Lumberjacks will compete in Team Illinois’ Annual President’s Day Tournament next month in Chicago, it was confirmed today by 99 Jr Jacks General Manager Tim Kucharski.

“We have been invited and we proudly accept their invitation to play in next month’s tournament,” commented Kucharski.  “We had arranged a game earlier in the season here in Cleveland with Team Illinois but due to circumstances beyond both team’s control, we had to cancel so the Team Illinois manager was kind enough to include us in their annual event.”

In addition to 8^th ranked Team Illinois, the 99 Jr Jacks could potentially square against 11^th ranked St. Louis Jr. Blues, 26^th ranked Milwaukee Jr. Admirals, Madison Capitals, Affton Americans and the Chicago Fury.

This will be the 99 Jr Jacks second trek out to the Windy City this season and should prove to be a positive and fun team experience.

2010 – The Year of the Jacks – Let’s Go Jacks! 99 Tier 1 AAA Hockey

Cleveland, OH 99 Tier 1 AAA Hockey – Sunday January 10^th – For Immediate Release

The “Year of the Jacks” got off to a fantastic start this past weekend as the Cleveland 99 Jr Lumberjacks won four straight games completing a sweep of both the Buffalo Wild Wings out of Detroit and the Toledo Cherokees.

In Saturday’s Game One against the Wild Wings, the 99 Jr Jacks hit the ground running from the opening faceoff surging out to an early 4-0 first period lead.  The Wild Wings regained their footing a bit after the Jacks initial onslaught, and thanks to numerous power plays, the Wings were able to hold the 99 Jr. Jacks off of the scoreboard and managed to notch a goal of their own to make it 4-1 after two periods.  The third period saw both teams exchange good scoring chances as the Wild Wings, to their credit, did not give up and managed to cut the lead to 4-2 halfway through the third period off of a goalmouth scramble.  The 99 Jr Jacks put the game on lockdown and held on the rest of the way for a 4-2 victory.

In Game Two versus the Wings, the 99 Jr Jacks once again scored right from the opening faceoff and opened up an early 2-0 lead.  This time, there would be no recovery for the Wings as the 99 Jr Jacks put in a complete effort in all facets; offense, defense and goaltending.  The boys went on to score two more goals to post a 4-0 shutout victory over the Wild Wings.

On Sunday, the 99 Jr Jacks hosted the Toledo Cherokees for two games at Gilmour Academy and picked up where they left off on Saturday.  In what may have been one of their most complete games of the season, the boys skated with a hard determination right from the get-go and their unselfish play was on display throughout the contest.  After a back and forth scoreless first period, the ice began to tilt in the 99 Jr Jacks favor as they rattled off four straight goals to take a 4-0 lead heading to the third period.  The Cherokees got on the board with a power play goal early in the third but the 99 Jr Jacks stormed right back to score four more goals enroute to a convincing 8-1 victory.

In Game Two, the 99 Jr Jacks once again raced out to a big early lead and held a 6-1 lead after one period.  The outcome of this tilt was never in doubt as the boys put on a great display of offensive prowess showcasing their passing, shooting and all-around unselfish play.  The teams exchanged goals in the second and third periods to make the final score 9-4 in favor of the 99 Jr Jacks, giving the boys four wins on their first weekend back in action in 2010.  During this four game home stand, the 99 Jr Jacks averaged 6.25 goals for and only 1.75 goals against; a complete team effort start to finish.

“It was good to get back into some game action and shake off the rust,” commented Coach Bill Menges.  “We had a few lapses here and there but I will take a four-win weekend anytime.”

“We were a little shaky in the first game Saturday and the fourth game but our skill level and compete level showed through and we took nothing for granted”, added Coach Rob Krueger.  “I also thought our penalty killing was excellent.”

The 99 Jr Jacks are off this coming weekend but will resume practice before hitting the road to finish off their final four Empire West league games against Buffalo and West Seneca.

January 1, 2010 – For Immediate Release

As the Christmas Holidays end and as we usher in a new year, thoughts turn back to the game we love – hockey!  The 99 Cleveland Jr Lumberjacks are gearing up for the 2^nd half of their season and there is a buzz emanating from the boys that this 2^nd half of the season, along with spring tryouts and the start of next season, will be something special.  So much so that we are declaring 2010 the “Year of the Jacks”.

Stay tuned to the website for upcoming announcements and exciting new initiatives designed to push the 99 Jr Jacks further into the upper echelon of Tier 1 AAA hockey.  The best is yet to come!

Let’s Go Jacks!