Ice Hockey: Savannah steps up among All-Stars

ANAHEIM — In a great tradition, the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League rolled out the red carpet for its brightest stars.

Even the best in the league could not outshine those playing locally, particularly in the case of a goaltender who has often found herself in the middle of activities run by the Anaheim Ducks organization.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Edison’s Savannah Gutierrez was the only girl involved in Thursday’s sixth annual ADHSHL All-Star night at Honda Center, and she walked away as the MVP of the varsity game.

The Chargers goalie stopped all 11 shots she faced in the second period of a wide-open, up-and-down contest.

She said that she was happy to receive the honor, adding, “It’s great being the only girl out there.”

Gutierrez doubles as a netminder for the Lady Ducks 16U AAA team. She expressed her gratitude for the role the Ducks organization has played in her life.

“I wouldn’t be anywhere without them because I play for the Lady Ducks and I play for the high school league,” she said.

Collectively, there were six Chargers players to take the ice at the Ducks’ home arena. Their coach, David Walker, was also behind the bench for the victorious Stingers.

Huntington Beach captain Cole Kennedy joined Edison’s Ryan Osterkamp and Gutierrez in the varsity game. It was not his first time playing on an NHL rink, but it was his Honda Center debut.

“Back when I played at the Staples Center, it was only an intermission game,” Kennedy reminisced. “I was a goaltender. That was about seven years ago, so it was a big difference. Obviously, the skill level has heightened greatly.”

“They’re completely different experiences. One from the perspective of the goaltender, and the other from the player. Two great opportunities.”

The Stingers defeated the Crusaders, 6-2, with Leevi Selanne (Santa Margarita) and Erik Larsson (Tahoe Hockey Academy) each posting three-point nights.

It can be difficult to find any sort of chemistry in an All-Star game, particularly when the players on a line are not teammates. Selanne provided insight as to why that was not a problem for Larsson and himself.

“We’re rivals,” he said of their Division 1 matchups. “We’re normally against each other. Maybe that’s why we go head-to-head so much is that we play exactly the same way. We always go to the net and go hard.”

“The first shift I played with the kid, he’s in front of the net, I’ve got the puck, he scores. I’m in front of the net, he’s got the puck, I score. ‘Oh…, we know how to play together.’”

Among the coastal stars, Trevor Arsenault had the best night offensively. He scored the first two goals for the Whalers, who won the senior game over the Nordiques, 4-3.

Arsenault expressed considerable pride at the number of Chargers who took part in the All-Star game festivities.

“It’s good to see other kids from our team contributing here in the All-Star game,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun, and [Gutierrez] did really good. I’m happy for her and the other kids that are here representing Edison.”

Edison’s Jake Gealy joined Arsenault in the senior game. Huntington Beach goalie Josh Marin was also selected.

Jakob Besnilian, from Sunset League rival Los Alamitos, was named the senior game MVP.

At the junior varsity level, Edison teammates became sworn enemies when they ended up on opposing rosters. Clay Bozanich’s Racers defeated Evan Osterkamp’s Aeros, 8-1.

It was a much more enjoyable return to Honda Center for Bozanich, who knocked out both of his front teeth on the ice surface on a fall in the fourth grade. He took his chance to throw some friendly jabs after the game.

“All I have to say is, ‘Good job, but we’re better,’” he joked when asked if he now had bragging rights over the younger Osterkamp.

Skills competitions were held in between periods, with Newport-Mesa’s Joseph Cianfrani finishing as the runner-up in the JV speed skating contest.

Ice Kings forward Aaron Parsons and Edison’s Ryan Osterkamp broke all four targets in a one-minute shooting accuracy test.

Ryan Osterkamp, who is the middle of three hockey-playing brothers, was pleased to make the All-Star night a family gathering.

“This is a big moment for him, especially in his freshman year,” Ryan said of his younger brother Evan. “It’s a good developing moment. Being able to share it with him, it means a lot as brothers.”