Florida Beaches
2005 "B" Southeastern
District Champion

Hardwork, determination and belief in each other lead the Florida Beaches to
their first ever District championship.  The Beaches are the first women's hockey
team from Florida in history to qualify for the USA Hockey Nationals.

The Florida Beaches will represent the Southeast District
in Green Bay Wisconsin April 8-10.  The goal of getting to
districts seemed a bit lofty but attainable in the beginning.  
Winning districts and making it to Nationals seemed almost
unbelievable for a bunch of women from Florida who not
2 years ago had no real organized hockey at all.  But through
hard work, sacrifice and a ton of determination the
Florida Beaches will be in Green Bay Wisconsin.  

The tournament began with the Beaches taking on the
North Carolina Trailblazers Friday evening.  The Beaches
got out to a quick start and with a slight rally in the third by
the Trailblazers the Beaches went on to win the game 6-3.

Going up against the Chesapeake Bay Lightning in the
second game, the Beaches found a much more physical battle
and faster team.  The Beaches scored first but were answered by
the Lightning twice. But with 36 seconds to go in the game Linda Belanger
let a low slap shot go that found the back of the net and sent the game into a tie where it ended.

The last game of the tournament before the finals saw the Washington Wolves go up against the Beaches.  The
game was a must win and the Beaches put on their scoring hats and skated to a 8-2 win.  The Beaches were
determined to get to the finals where they would meet up again with the Chesapeake Bay Lightning who were last
years District division winners.

The final game started out with very physical play.  The team with more heart and determination would be the
victors in this battle.  The Beaches had a game plan, which they stuck to, and were able to counteract the dump
and chase style of the Lightning.  Both teams played very defensively in the game.  The Beaches got on the
board first and then were answered by the Lightning and the game would go into the third period tied 1-1.  With
an ice resurfacing between periods the Beaches coach Tom King told them once again that games are won and
lost in the third period and with that the Beaches took to the ice for the third.  With less than 10 minutes to go in
the game Heather Levow was able to get a pass across to Linda Belanger who, with a player draped all over her,
was able to get the puck past the Lightning's goalie giving the Beaches a 2-1 lead.  The Lightning turned up the
tempo again but the Beaches stayed with them and with an empty netter by Sarah Caza with 30 seconds to go
the Beaches were able to begin the celebration for their most lofty goal was reached and they were on their way
to the National Championships in Green Bay Wisconsin.  Not bad for a bunch of women hockey players in South
Florida!