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Beginning March 21 and lasting until April 24, Check Republic has been entered into the Apple Cup 2 Tournament. The 32-team field will be fully announced shortly, followed by scheduling. The tournament's format consists of round-robin group play, with eight groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group advance into a single-elimination playoff. Head Coach Otto Feindt remarked "This is a wonderful opportunity for our club. We need to be involved in a tournament not only to test ourselves, but raise our standard of play."

Team captain Mark Lilly thought it was an excellent idea. "This team has been in League III for the last few seasons, and it's time to push ourselves to the next level."

Lilly, who wears jersey No. 9 and leads the team in points with 39 in just 31 games, found this the appropriate time to segue into the playoff discussion. "We've been in training camps, and Ken [Frazier] and Chris [Koenig] have been really working to improve," he proclaimed.

When asked for specifics, Lilly mentioned the power-play as something they've worked on. Speedster Danny Patten agreed. "Coach told us not to be hesitant, and take the shot when it's there," he informed. "Make the quick passes, but just be familiar enough and comfortable enough with each other to pull the trigger."

Only four league games remain, and all four appear quite winnable for Check Republic. Unfortunately, they appear unlikely to move out of seventh position even if they win out. For now, however, Coach Feindt is remaining positive. "All I ask is that they play their best," he insisted. "And they are."

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