OC Blades win KOHO title

Despite losing one starter to a broken hand in the championship

game of the KOHO Tournament Wednesday, the OC Blades Squirt 87 roller

hockey team still went on to claim the title with a 4-2 victory over the

Swarm at Coast to Coast Inline Hockey Center in Huntington Beach.

Jason Krispal, son of Coach Ray Krispal, broke his hand during a first

quarter collision. His teammates, however, rallied around him and went on

to win the game for him.

In a tense battle that found both the Blades and Swarm tied at 2-2 late

in the game; Josh Laricchia broke through the Storm defense to put the

winning goal in the net with four minutes remaining to give the Blades a

3-2 lead.

The Blades also scored in the final minute, taking advantage of an open

net when the Swarm pulled their goalie out of position.

It was clear sailing in the tournament leading up to the championship

game for the Blades, who scored easy victories over Corona (8-0), San

Diego (8-1), and the Inland Valley Grizzlies (8-0).

The Blades’ Derrick Burnett was the tournament’s high scorer with nine

goals and five assists.

Members of the OC Blades Squirt 97 squad also include Brian Sakaguchi,

Kelly Shiraki, Brett Yamoaka, Salem Stephens, Tim Kraus, P.J. Kavaya,

Clay Burnett, and goalies Adam Sheldon and Michael Urbano.