Page 11 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, December2019

10 December 2019 http://www.luke.af.mil Thunderbolt Facebook.com/LukeThunderbolt 11
Thunderbolt
December 2019
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Luke ThunderboLTs hockey wins big in Vegas

by Senior Airman America and all branches of the Mission Support Group executive rallied to tie the game at 1-1 with sey, along with team photo can be
TRAVIS BROWN U.S. services as well as military officer and Luke Hockey Team just over two minutes of play re- seen hung proudly in the Bryant
and veterans from the Canadian president. “I never could have maining. With more than a minute Fitness Center.
309th Aircraft Maintenance Unit
and Australian armed forces. imagined we would bring back to play, Clyde Gilman, 56th Logis- Military members and depen-
Luke Air Force Base Thunder- Since the resurrection of the both. Luckily, our defenses never tics Readiness Squadron vehicle dents currently play in four lo-
bolts hockey team won champion- Luke Varsity Hockey program in stopped skating, our [upper] team maintenance technician, netted cal adult recreational leagues as
ship titles in two divisions at the 2016, the Thunderbolts have won was able to take down some top- the game winning and tournament- Thunderbolts and participate in
Armed Services Hockey Champion- numerous division titles to include level competitors, including the clinching goal. local and regional tournaments.
ships Nov. 10 in Las Vegas. the New Dawn Division V Champi- Nellis Creechers and the All-Ma- “One of my favorite parts of Currently there are more than 104
Forty-two military and first onship honors in 2018 and then this rine Corps Team. No doubt Luke the tournament was being able players affiliated with the orga-
responder teams competed in year, fielding two teams competing has the bragging rights across all to support our other team,” said nization primarily made of active
the 17th Annual Armed Services in both the Noble Eagle Division II of the Air Force base hockey teams Kyle Kupiec, 62nd Aircraft Main- duty, but also Reserve and retired
Hockey International Tournament and the Enduring Freedom Divi- for the next year!” tenance Unit weapons load crew military members throughout the
Nov. 6-10 in Las Vegas. sion VI, bringing home champion- In order to secure the champi- chief. “Both teams were there for Phoenix area.
The tournament was divided ships for both teams. onship, Luke’s top team battled all 10 games and bonded the newer For more information on how
into six divisions varying in skill “I knew with great goaltending through players primarily from players with the older and more to become a player or learn more
and experience level. It showcased and a little luck, we could possibly Alaska and the upper Mid-West seasoned guys. It felt good to know about the sport or how to get
the talent of hockey players from bring Luke home another cham- and kept the lead for a majority both [Luke] teams stole the show.” involved, email lukeafbhockey@
military installations across North pionship,” said Ryan Allen, 56th of the game, but the rival team The championship banners, jer- gmail.com.

Luke Thunderbolts upper division hockey team poses with the Noble Eagle Division
championship banner, Nov. 10, at City National Arena, Las Vegas. The tournament was
divided into six divisions varying in skill and experience level, and showcased talent Luke Thunderbolts’ Enduring Freedom Division hockey team pose with the champion-
of hockey players from military installations across North America and all branches ship banner following their 3-1 victory over the Utah Warriors, Nov. 10. Eleven active-
of the U.S. services as well as military and veterans from the Canadian and Australian duty Airmen from Luke Air Force Base, a Reserve Airman from March Air Reserve
armed forces. Base, California, and a retired Airman from the Phoenix area competed on the team.
Clyde Gilman, 56th
Logistics Readiness
Squadron, drives
the puck through
the defensive zone
during the tourna-
ment, Nov. 10. Gil-
man finished the
tournament as the
team’s top defense-
man, notching one
goal and two as-
sists, including the
tournament-winning
goal with less than
two minutes remain-
ing in the champion-
ship game.

Shayne Carroll, 62nd Fighter Squadron, awaits a pass in game four of the tournament,
Nov. 9.

Courtesy photos
Henry Gilbertson, left, 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Unit, blasts a shot past the Hill Falcons’ goalie in game four of the Armed Services Hockey International Tournament division David Bown, 63rd Fighter Squadron, defends his net in the third game of the Armed
IV, Nov. 9, at City National Arena, Las Vegas. Forty-two military and first responder teams competed in the 17th Annual Armed Service Hockey International Tournament Nov. Luke Air Force Base’s Enduring Freedom Division hockey team celebrate following the Services Hockey International Tournament division II, Nov. 7, at City National Arena,
6-10 in Las Vegas. final horn of their game against the Utah Warriors, Nov. 10. Las Vegas.