For the 1st time in program history, The Northern Vermont Wildcats sent their Junior A team to the Senior Chowder Cup Showcase in the Boston, MA area: July 14-17th. Not only did the team impress everyone watching (as well as having many players were recruited for winter teams) and advance to Playoff Sunday, but they made it deep into the Playoff Round and finished in 3rd place out of 78 of the best junior hockey teams from around the world.

On Thursday, the Junior A squad faced off against a talented Smith Falls Bears team (in the CCHL) from Ontario, Canada. A back-and-forth effort by both teams ended in a 1-1 tie. A loss would have knocked the 'Cats out of the playoff round, but they battled back to tie the game with only 5:14 remaining in the final period.

On Friday, the team played the strong Milton Icehawks (in the OJHL) from Ontario, Canada, as well. From start to finish, the 'Cats dominated the game and won 6-1 in a statement win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

In a do-or-die Saturday game #3, the Junior A team had to win to move onto the Playoff Round of the Senior Chowder Cup. It wouldn't be an easy task, as the team faced off against the Janesville Jets (in the NAHL). The Jets were sitting in 1st place in the division, going 2-0-0. The 'Cats were 1-0-1 and had to win to advance. In the best junior hockey game seen by many, the 'Cats held a 3-2 lead with 2:01 left in the final period. An empty netter sealed the deal and the team won 4-2 over a very strong and talented Janesville team. Onto Playoff Sunday! Only 16 out of 78 teams advanced to Playoff Sunday... 16 division winners.

Sunday was a day to remember for everyone involved with the team. In Round 1 of Playoffs, the Junior A team faced off against Bracket 13 winner: Prep Elite from New Jersey. A back-and-forth game ended with the 'Cats winning 2-0 and advancing to the Quarter Finals. The Junior A team kept their winning ways rolling as they squeeked out a 3-2 win over a prestigious Mid-Fairfield squad from Connecticut.

The 'Cats advanced to the Semi-Finals of the Chowder Cup. Top 4 out of 78 teams made it this far in the showcase. The team faced off against an older SG Selects team from Canada. The Selects scored early into the game, to make it 1-0. A defensive minded Junior A team had their chances with hitting 3 posts in the final 2 minutes but it wasn't enough as the Selects scored an empty netter with seconds to play, to defeat the Junior A team by a score of 2-0.

The entire NVW program is extremely proud of the Junior A team for an absolutely incredible accomplishment. The program finished 3rd out of 78 of the best teams from around the world and it was their 1st time competing in "the" showcase of the summer. Well done players, as well as Coaches Henri Langevin, Bob LePage, Paul Horoho, and GM Anthony Langevin.

Good luck to the 2000 Premier and 2001 Premier teams as they head to the Junior Chowder Cup Showcase in the Boston, MA area this weekend!