Day 1 Recap: The 2025 T1ER/T1EHL 18U Invitational Kicks Off

The 2025 T1ER/T1EHL 18U Invitational has kicked off today as the event brings together 38 of the nation’s top 18U programs from both the T1ER League and the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League (T1EHL) for a premier showcase of talent. Alongside the 18U action, the weekend features competition across the 15U and 16U T1ER level. Click here to see all the results.

 

18U:

Biggby Coffee started off their weekend with a stunning 2-1 win over the Indiana Elite. The bout was a battle of shutdown defense and goaltending, but it was Biggby that came out on top over Indiana.

The first period only saw one Indiana goal, courtesy of Roman Gralak on an intercepted pass and a great setup by Nathan Apple. By the end of the second period, the game remained at 1-0 in favor of Indiana. The defensive contest was clear as the teams combined for a mere 16 shots at this point in the game. Finally, just four minutes into the third period, Biggby responded with a goal of their own when Trevor Nightingale got open on a feed from Sawyer Sheffield. The third period buzzer sounded, and this game required overtime to be settled. Biggby dominated overtime with plenty of offensive zone time, but Indiana did not give them much space to work with. In a controversial string of events, Zachary Peterson lit the lamp and became the hero for Biggby. On the play, Indiana goaltender Hudson Kutchman kicked the net off before the puck entered the net; however, the referees signaled the goal, and the game ended in favor of Biggby Coffee.

This game featured a shutdown defensive performance from both teams. On top of a low scoring contest, shots on goal were only 16-13 in favor of Biggby Coffee, even with an extra four and a half minutes of hockey.

 

The Lincoln Stars managed to put the dagger in an Anaheim Jr. Ducks team that simply would not quit. This back-and-forth contest featured five different goal scorers and ultimately a 3-2 win in favor of Lincoln.

The first period came and went with no goals scored by either club. This trend would not last long as Noah Krueger opened up the scoring for the Stars in the second period on a shot that caught Ducks goaltender Aidan McKerron off guard. After about nine minutes of game time, the Ducks responded on a filthy short-side pick from Mateo Zoretic. With the game tied in the second period, the Ducks took a crucial cross-checking penalty with just minutes remaining in the period. On the power play, Logyn Kaufman took a quick snapshot to put the lead back in the hands of Lincoln. This would not last long, however, as Tristan Chen found David Contreras with an excellent net front feed to tie the game back up. The third period was a tight battle with both squads looking for the golden goal. As the period was coming to an end and overtime seemed inevitable, a 3 on 1 broke out in favor of the Stars, which ended in a Wakeley Holzer one-timer on a great feed from Arseny Putikov. With just 50 seconds left, the Stars grabbed the lead and held it until the final buzzer rang.

This game was a pure testament to the grit and resilience that both of these squads possess. As soon as the Stars seemed to take control of the game, the Ducks responded. As soon as the Ducks picked up their momentum, the Stars gave it right back. Shots on goal for the game were 24-22 in favor of the Stars, and goaltender Owen Kinsel left with the ‘W’ on his record.

 

The Wasatch Renegades are still on the search for their first tally in the win column as they fall to the Philadelphia Hockey Club in overtime. Despite a late push and promising effort, Philadelphia turned on the clutch gene and scored the golden goal in a 5-4 victory.

Philadelphia wasted no time as Jack Colfer redirected a Ryan Frey shot from the point to get the early lead. Not long after, Ketchum Ladue evened up the score with a short-handed goal from the point off the faceoff. Philadelphia would respond about five minutes later, thanks to Daniel Dowling on a bar-down snipe from the high slot. With a 2-1 lead, Philadelphia came out swinging in the second period. Charlie Deitz, with some excellent accuracy, found the back of the net, and it was not long before Mike Joyce extended the lead even further on the power play. Despite the three-goal deficit, the Renegades would start their comeback on the rush when Bentley Sathre found Gavin Zuber on a cross-crease feed. The third period was all Wasatch, with Zuber cleaning up the rebound on the power play for his second of the game. Only two minutes later, Dace Rhea lit the lamp and sent the game to overtime. Despite an impressive comeback and what seemed to be all of the momentum in the world, an errant Wasatch pass floated into the slot, and Connor Flynn became the hero on the power play.

Although Philadelphia left the rink victorious, the Renegades showed a severe desire to win, and it showed in their three unanswered goals that sent the contest to overtime. Ultimately, some crucial penalties taken by Wasatch proved to be their downfall as Philadelphia picked up the win.

 

CarShield put together an impressive come-from-behind victory against the Chicago Fury. Despite putting up fewer shots and trailing on multiple occasions throughout the contest, some costly penalties and clutch goal scoring gave CarShield the edge.

Danny Reynolds kicked off the scoring and gave the Fury a 1-0 lead on a well-placed shot from the high slot. An impressive feed from Austin Letcher to Marty Nitsche in the slot extended the Fury led with only three minutes in the first period. With the Fury staring at a 2-0 lead heading into the first intermission, Landon Rogers took a smart shot with traffic in front of the net and cut the Fury lead in half with only 25 seconds remaining in the frame. The second period was quiet until about seven minutes remaining when Brady Bates cleaned up a rebound and tied the game up. This would only last 29 seconds when Blake Sidell grabbed a juicy rebound with a wide open cage to regain the lead for the Fury. This would be the last Chicago goal for the contest. With the third period starting up and a one goal lead in favor of Chicago, Warner Troup would put a shot at the net that spit out onto the stick of Thomas Pickett who buried the biscuit to even the game back up at three. On the power play, Rogers took yet another smart shot with net front traffic that found twine. Nathen Jastrzebski potted the empty netter, and this game was put on ice.

This game showcased some excellent hockey on both sides of the puck, but it was CarShield that put together the winning effort. Nathen Jastrzebski put together a three point night, Brady Bates and Landon Rogers both had two points, and CarShield was able to pave victory road with an impressive win over the Fury.

 

16U: 

The Madison Capitals got their 7th and 8th wins today with two very dominant performances. The first coming against the Seattle Jr. Kraken. The Capitals kept them scoreless while scoring four goals from just two scorers. Easton Brown notched three goals of his own, getting the hat trick, and Carter Oliphant scored the other goal. The defense from the Capitals is the story of this game. The Capitals allowed them only 11 shots on goal throughout the game. In the nets, Landon Austad had an easy performance, only having to save 11 goals and going a perfect 100% save percentage on them in the process. In the Capitals’ second game of the night, they defeated the Philadelphia Little Flyers. The Capitals lit up the scoreboard six different times with four different goal scorers. Camden Hoss and Carson Lynch each got two, and Carter Oliphant and Tristan Jackson each got one apiece. It was another nice game for the Capitals' defense, only allowing 20 shots on goal compared to the Capitals' 40 shots on goal, doubling the Little Flyer’s attempts. In the net for the Capitals, Cooper Schlappi only allowed one goal in 20 shots. Having a 95% save percentage. 

 

The Lincoln Stars come into the day winless. In their first game of the day against the Jr. Golden Knights, the Stars were only able to put up 14 shots on goal, one of them going in was scored by Evans Hayden. Other than that goal, it was another tough game for the Stars. Later on in the evening, the Stars would have short-term memory, putting their struggle of a performance from earlier behind them. The Stars would come out on fire, picking up their first win over the Tri-State Spartans. The Stars scored six different times with five different goal scorers, Stuber Luke being the only one with multiple goals, putting two in the back of the net. The other goal scorers were: Currie Klyde, Fleming John, Goetz Drayden, and Vail Mikah, who scored one goal apiece. In the net for the Stars, Canas Elijah, only allowed one goal out of 23 shots taken at him. He finished with a 95% save percentage. Despite the struggles, the Stars got a feel-good game and secured their first win of the tournament.

 

15U: 

The Omaha Mastery improved to 6-0 with 2 big wins over the Vegas Jr. Golden Knights and CarShield. In their first game of the day, the Mastery shut out the Golden Knights, lighting up the scoreboard 8 times with 6 different goal scorers. Adam Erstad was the only player with multiple goals, getting a hat trick. Reid Bagley, Logan Powell, Dennis Lenton, Henrik Kruce, and Henry Cooley are the other goal scorers. In the back, Isaac Pilcher went perfect on saves, saving all 29 of the Golden Knights' shots on goal. In their second game of the day, the Mastery defeated CarShield 3-1, with 3 different goal scorers. Kaden Certa, William Pugliese, and Asher Baron all scored a goal apiece. In goal, Evan Bastolich only allowed 1 goal in 25 shots, going 24/25 with a 96% save percentage. Routine day for the undefeated Omaha Mastery.

 

The Philadelphia Hockey Club went perfect on the day to get a nice improvement on their record, going from a .500 record of 2-2 to a very solid 4-2 record. In their first game, they defeated CarShield. Philly scored 4 times with only 2 different goal scorers. Dean Powell knocked one in, and CJ Mistichelli scored 3 times for the hat trick. Despite a late surge, the Hockey Club was able to hold off CarShield thanks to the lead they had already built with fast offense and suffocating defense. In the goal, Nathan Bloch only allowed 2 goals in 28 shots, having a 93% save percentage. In their second game against the MN Prospect All-Stars, Philadelphia was able to squeeze out a close one. Scoring 3 goals with Cameron Willis, CJ Mistichelli, and EJ Yedwab each scoring one apiece. Philly controlled most of the game with the MN Prospect All-Stars attempting to make a late comeback with 2 goals in the final period. But Philadelphia was able to answer the call, walking away with the victory. Bryan Schwartz in goal was able to make 27 saves on 29 shots on goal, with a 93% save percentage. Great day of games to get their record above .500 for the Philadelphia Hockey Club.