WATERLOO, Iowa — The Des Moines Capitals skated to a 2nd straight JV State Tournament Championship at Waterloo's Young Arena this past weekend. The Caps defeated Mason City 4-1 in the championship game, the same team they defeated last year in the title game.

Friday's 1st-round action saw the 4 top-seeded teams advance; 3 of the 4 games decided by 1 point. The day started with 2nd-seed Mason City handing Ames a 4-1 loss. Third-seed Des Moines Oak Leafs then defeated the Omaha Gladiators 3-2, scoring all 3 of their goals in the 2nd period. In the 3rd game of the day, 4th-seed Sioux City Metros needed 2 overtime periods to sideline the Omaha Jr. Lancers, 3-2. In the primetime evening game, the top-seeded Capitals narrowly defeated the home team Waterloo Warriors 4-3. The Caps scored 3 unanswered goals in the 3rd period to notch the come-from-behind victory.

In Saturday's semi-final games, the Caps were tested again in a 1-point contest, besting Sioux City 2-1. Meanwhile Mason City skated past the Oak Leafs 7-2, looking like they would be the team to beat in the finals.

Saturday's action also saw the longest game in JV State Tournament history. A consolation matchup between the Omaha Jr. Lancers and Waterloo was deadlocked at 1-1 after regulation play. Playing 3-on-3, Waterloo finally scored with 5 seconds left in the 6th overtime period. The game also provided the most controversial moment of the weekend. With time running out in the 5th overtime, a scramble in front of the net produced an apparent game-winning goal by the Jr. Lancers with no time left on the clock. The referee originally signaled a goal, but after a conference with his 2 linesmen, the goal was judged to go in after time expired and was disallowed, sending the game into the 6th and final overtime period.

Sunday's championship game between Mason City and the Des Moines Capitals was scoreless through 2 periods. The Caps tight-checking defense held Mason City to 8 shots in the first 2 periods. Des Moines failed to score in the first 2 periods despite launching 28 shots. Mason City struck first in the 3rd period, but the Capitals roared back with 4 unanswered goals earning a 4-1 victory and the tournament title.

In other action Sunday, the Jr. Lancers defeated the Gladiators 3-1 for 7th place, Waterloo beat Ames 3-1 for 5th and Sioux City bested the Oak Leafs 3-2, for 3rd place. During the 1st intermission of Saturday's Varsity All-Star game, JV players were presented certificates for Academic Achievement and the JV's Top 10 Scorers and Top 3 Goaltenders were recognized.

A big THANK YOU to Waterloo's tournament planning committee and their team of volunteers for a well-run event.