Goalie Francis spreading wings

Roller hockey phenom Timothy Francis, a 12-year-old who has been

playing for eight years, is sitting on top of the world after

returning from two statewide tournaments.

Those two tournaments named him and his team champions.

On Aug. 5-9, Francis and his 11 all-star teammates, chosen to

represent California for children born in 1993, competed in the

first-ever State Wars tournament in Chicago, which featured 27 teams

from across the country.

The California team was represented by five Huntington Beach

residents, all members of the Orange County Blades, a team Francis

competed against regularly while playing on the Irvine Red Bulls

team.

Francis’ team, the California Selects, started out the State Wars

tournament with a round-robin, facing four teams -- shutting out New

Jersey, North Carolina and Virginia in the first, second and fourth

game, 8-0. The team defeated Florida, 7-0, in the third game, and

went on to defeat Ohio, 7-1, in the semifinals.

The boys met their match against New York.

At the end of the first period, California led, 2-1, with Nokono

Nunez and Francis’ teammate from the Red Bulls, Kyle Matsumoto

scoring.

The Selects scored one goal in the second period, but allowed New

York to score two, ending the final period tied, 3-3.

In overtime, Francis, who played the remainder of the game, kept

New York scoreless. The team went on to double overtime, with Francis

once again shutting out New York. In the sixth minute, Nunez scored a

goal, crowing the boys champions.

“I was really nervous in the first overtime, but I calmed down a

lot in the second,” said Francis. “I had some really good saves in

the second overtime. We worked really hard on plays, conditioning and

knowing our offense and defense. I’m happy we won.”

In the championship game, Francis was named Co-MVP, a rare triumph

for the goalie position.

“He played the most phenomenal game,” said Francis’ mom, Dina.

“Goalies never really get that kind of recognition, but he kept a

shutout in both overtimes. He has a lot to live up to now, because we

know how good he can be.”

Less than a week later, Francis took a trip to Florida with his

Mission Primal California Bulls team from Irvine.

In between alligator watching and touring the state, the Bulls,

which felt they were up against a higher level of competition, played

four games for seeding placement.

After winning three games against York Mission Triumph from

Ontario, Canada, Tour Stallions from Colorado, East Sport Havoc from

New York the Bulls were seeded No. 3.

In the quarterfinals, the Bulls defeated the No. 6 St. Louis

Bordercats, 3-2.

In the semifinals, the team faced No. 5 ranked Georgia Cooler

Selects, and defeated them, 3-1.

On July 22, the No. 2 Colorado Kodiaks faced the Bulls in the

finals. The Bulls wound up on top, 3-1, giving the team a coveted

national championship for their age division.

“There was more competition in Florida,” said Francis. “But

because I sat on the bench during the first game, I got to see the

other team and see how they played. I was pretty calm when I went

it.”

After returning with his double crown, Francis has spent his time

catching up on his sleep.

In late September, Francis will try out with the MPC Bulls, and

will soon decide whether he will continue with the team or try out

with the OC Blades.