Nationals quest begins for North Iowa, Flint and Helena

April 3, 2014

The USA Hockey Tier III Junior Nationals begin on Thursday and the event has a distinct NA3HL flavor to it. One of the favorites heading into the event in the two-time defending NA3HL Silver Cup Champion and the defending National Champion North Iowa Bulls. Last week, the Bulls stormed their way through the Silver Cup Tournament, outscoring their opponents 24-4 in the four wins.

The team that North Iowa beat in the Championship Game, the Flint Junior Generals, will also be representing the NA3HL at Nationals as the #2 seed from the league.

Finally, one of the newest additions to the NA3HL, the Helena Bighorns, who joined the NA3HL a few weeks ago as a part of the AWHL acquisition, will also be at the event as the Champion of the AWHL in 2013-14.

All three teams are in different pools and judging by their records, each will be a difficult out in the tournament. North Iowa posted a 45-3-0 record during the regular season. Flint posted a 42-4-2 record during the regular season and Helena posted a very impressive 46-1-1 record during the regular season in AWHL play.

All games can be seen live on FASTHockey

Click here for USA Hockey Nationals Schedule & Statistics

Pool A - Helena Bighorns

Pool B - Flint Junior Generals

Pool C - North Iowa Bulls

*All times Eastern

Thursday - April 3

1:00 PM - North Iowa Bulls (NA3HL) vs Florida Junior Blades (USPHL-Empire)

4:30 PM - Helena Bighorns (AWHL) vs Marquette Royals (MNJHL)

7:30 PM - Flint Junior Generals (NA3HL) vs Bellingham Blazers (NPHL)

Friday - April 4

1:00 PM - Helena Bighorns (AWHL) vs Junior Bruins (USPHL Premier)