History Made: Arkansas Kings 14U AA Place 2nd at Austin Cup

AUSTIN, TX — History was made this weekend as the Arkansas Kings 14U AA team became the first Arkansas-based team to win not just one, but two AA-level games at the prestigious Austin Cup.

The tournament began with a tough matchup against the Texas Outlaws. Despite a hard-fought effort, the Kings fell 5–2 after the Outlaws sealed the game with an empty-net goal. But the Kings bounced back in dominant fashion, defeating the Gulf of America Sharks 5–0. The win not only marked the first AA victory in program history but also the first shutout, with goaltender Mack Pinney putting on a flawless performance.

Later that evening, the Kings faced the Texas Hockey Academy. Fueled by momentum and confidence, the Kings delivered an impressive 7–3 win, earning themselves a rematch against the Texas Outlaws in the championship game.

Head Coach Greg Betzold credited the team’s bond and preparation for the turnaround. “Video sessions and that late-night team dinner at Main Event gave our players and parents a chance to build lasting relationships,” Betzold said. “Hockey is an emotional game that comes down to sacrificing for your teammates. It’s a lot more fun when you like your team.”

Before the Sunday championship, Coach Betzold had the team up early for a team walk, setting the tone for the day. The Kings returned to the Crossover Arena ready to battle the favored Outlaws. “We knew the odds were stacked against us—but that’s nothing new. We’ll be underdogs until we prove otherwise,” Betzold added.

Goaltender Mack Pinney led the tournament with a stellar .926 save percentage, including 39 saves on 42 shots in the final. Forward Chris Huang ranked in the top 10 for tournament scoring, tallying 3 goals and 2 assists in 4 games, while defenseman Payton Zaloudek contributed 2 goals and an assist from the blue line.

Though the Kings ultimately fell short in the championship, finishing second overall, the run represents a massive step forward for the Arkansas Kings program—and for hockey in Northwest Arkansas.

“It’s tough getting so close to something you want so badly and coming up short,” said Coach Betzold. “But when you take a step back, you realize how special this weekend was. It proves that we can develop high-quality players and competitive teams right here in Arkansas.”