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Published on 08/18/1999 All articles from this issue

California Northstars are big in Japan

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By Pete Borello / Town Crier Staff Writer

Los Altos residents Brian Liu and Mark Petito last week returned from playing ice hockey in Japan, of all places.

Although Japan is known more for its love of baseball and sumo wrestling, the sport of hockey has slowly gained popularity in recent years.

Liu and Petito found that out first-hand when they traveled to Sapporo for the sixth annual Sapporo Cup International Ice Hockey Meet, held Aug. 3-8.

Liu and Petito played with the California Northstars Bantam Hockey Team, a group of 13- to 15-year-olds from throughout Northern California. Both athletes are entering the eighth grade at local schools: Petito at St. Nicholas and Liu at St. Simon.

The Northstars were one of two American squads invited to the 12-team youth tournament. Teams representing Russia, Canada, Korea and, of course, Japan also took part.

The Northstars, who trained together for three months prior to the tournament, returned to the United States with a respectable 3-3 record. The wins came against teams from Japan.

"Most of the teams were really good and they took it very seriously," Petito said. "Our team had more fun, but we still played well."

Petito played center for the Northstars and fellow 13-year-old Liu played on defense. Petito earned team MVP honors in a game against Korea, scoring the Northstars' only goal in a 9-1 loss.

While the games were the highlight of the trip, Petito described the entire journey as "a great experience."

The team stayed with families of the Japanese players, who generously paid all their expenses.

"Their hospitality was amazing," said Mark's mother, Suzette Petito.

The Japanese hosts also did their best to make their visitors feel at home.

"They tried to make us American food like tacos and hot dogs," Mark said. "It was funny."

The team was treated to a day at a Sapporo amusement park as well.

Making the trip even more memorable for Petito, Liu and the rest of the Northstars were the rings they received from the National Hockey League as a reward for their hard work.