By Joshua Boyd / USPHLPremier.com
It’s all over in Wesley Chapel, Fla.! The Tampa Bay Juniors have won 3-2 in double overtime to advance to the USPHL Nationals. This instant classic saw Aki Jokela score the double-overtime winner at the 5:25 mark of the second extra session. Along with Jokela, Jason Johnson and Dawson Osborn also scored during the game, and Savva Serdiuk registered 36 saves on 38 shots. For Bold City, Evan Stringer made 42 saves on 45 shots. The Juniors’ Premier and Elite teams will both kick off their Nationals run in Wayne, N.J., on March 20.
The Juniors went 3-0 during the Florida Division double elimination tournament, winning 1-0 against the Florida Jr. Blades in Game 1 and a 4-0 shutout against the Florida Eels in the winners bracket game. Savva Serdiuk won all three games in net, stopping 86 of 88 shots, including shutouts of 28 and 22 saves.
During the regular season, Tampa posted a record of 33-7-1-1 to win the Florida regular season title. They have previously qualified for Premier Nationals in 2018, 2020 and 2023.
“The Premier team has been playing well all year and especially down the stretch. What a game we had with Bold City to win the Florida division playoffs!” said Tampa Head Coach Garrett Strot. “Bold City blocked 26 shots and we had to work for every bit of space on the ice. I was proud of the way our guys responded all game.
“We are excited to send both teams to Nationals and represent the Florida Division!”
