Vancouver Junior Rangers U12 hockey team wins state title

The Vancouver Junior Rangers 12-under A youth hockey team won the state championship on Sunday in Everett.

The team is a part of the Vancouver Youth Hockey Association at Mountain View Ice Arena.

The Junior Rangers beat the Tri-Cities Junior Americans 5-4 in overtime for the title.

Neil Macuiba had the game-winning goal. It was his second goal of the championship game. Also with goals were Alexander Dunbar, Egor Kalambet and Sean McIntyre. Efrem Manzhura had three assists and Thomas Ogee III had two. Goalie Asher Henkel made 37 saves on 41 shots.

Other members of the team include Camden Freeman, Jax Johnson, Gianna Orizotti, Charlie Near, Kyle Schierling, Ethan Smith, Anderson Carter, Jett Madden, Logan Whitmore and Jakub Vlasak.

The Junior Rangers were 1-2 in round robin play, but knocked off top seed Sno-King A1 in the semifinals 6-4 to reach the championship.

“The skills and talent of this team is amazing,” Junior Rangers head coach Tom Ogee said. “They have come to every practice and game with a strong work ethic and a determination to succeed this season.”