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STOPs & STARTS USA Hockey News & UPDATES No Bull: Amarillo Wins NAHL Championship W hat a difference a day makes. A day after falling to the Wenatchee Wild, 7-0, in round-robin competition, the Amarillo Bulls regrouped in time to extract a measure of revenge with a 5-0 victory to claim the Robertson Cup National Championship and their first ever National title. Ryan Cole scored twice on his way to tournament MVP honors, and goaltender Paul Berrafato made 16 saves for the shutout. Both were named to the Easton All-Tournament team, along with teammate Joe Grabowski. The Bulls came out determined to reverse the trend of the previous night in which Berrafato was pulled after the Wild scored three early goals. Just over seven minutes into the game, Grabowski fired a shot from the point that found its way through traffic to beat Wild goaltender Robert Nichols to break the ice, and Tyler Deresky broke free along the left side and fired a shot low to pad the Bulls' lead. "This could be no better experience," Berrafato told the Amarillo Globe-News. In only their third year in the league, the Amarillo Bulls were crowned the champions of the North American Hockey League. "We buried them from the opening puck drop." Cole chipped in with a pair of goals in the middle frame to put the game out of reach, and Omar Mullan rounded out the scoring late in the third period. "I'm so proud of these guys," said Dennis Williams, the Bulls only head coach during their three years. "They came out and played hard and played the way they should. To come back from that tough loss [26 hours earlier] shows their character and great leadership." Kings Of The Hill Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey, discusses the state of the game in the United States as he addresses the Congressional Hockey Caucus in Washington, D.C. Ogrean was joined by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, right, and Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis during the April 24 meeting on Capitol Hill. 08 June/July. 2013 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM Project Adds NHL Backing "If you can play, you can play." That's the message of more than 100 professional hockey players and countless collegiate athletes who have voiced their support for gay teammates since the You Can Play Project was founded in 2012. Now that number is likely to grow even higher as the NHL and NHLPA announced in April a partnership with the You Can Play Project to continue the league's advancement and longstanding commitment toward making the NHL the most inclusive professional sports league in the world. "Our motto is 'Hockey Is For Everyone,' and our partnership with You Can Play certifies that position in a clear and unequivocal Ron Hainsey way," said NHL of the Winnipeg Commissioner Gary Jets is among the Bettman. many NHL players The official to champion the partnership includes You Can Play a commitment to cause. education and training for teams, players, media and fans. It also includes the production and broadcast of more public service announcements. The You Can Play Project has quickly gained national attention and support throughout the hockey community. NHL players Tommy Wingels and Andy Miele, and former NHL General Manager Brian Burke, all serve on You Can Play's Advisory Board. "As NHL players, we all strive to contribute towards helping our teams achieve success on the ice," said Ron Hainsey, Winnipeg Jets defenseman and NHLPA Executive Board member. "Any player who can help in those efforts should be welcomed as a teammate. This partnership solidifies the message that the hockey community believes in fairness and equality for everyone." Photos courtesy of North American Hockey League; Getty Images (2)