Local squirts place fourth in national tourney

A local squirt team, the Mat-Su Eagles, placed fourth in the International Squirt Hockey Tournament in Fargo, N.D., in late February.

The Eagles, who skate as a part of the Matanuska Amateur Hockey Association, were one of 64 teams in the event. The Eagles squirt squad is made up of 8- and 9-year-olds from the Mat-Su Valley.

In addition to playing several games in the highly competitive tournament, the team had the opportunity to take a private tour of the Ralf Englstead Arena in Fargo. The arena is the home of the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux, a perineal power in Division I hockey.

The squad also had a chance to see, and was pictured with Lord Stanley's Cup, the prize awarded to the top team in the National Hockey League.