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Malden/East Boston Youth Hockey Update
February has been tough – even on hockey players who almost never cancel games.
However, Malden/East Boston Youth Hockey (MEB) teams have continued to struggle
through all of the storms and schedule changes. One thing that did not change
was the Central Mass Winter Classic tournament in Marlborough this past weekend.
This tournament attracts players from across New England, New York, and New
Jersey, and is always a fun time for all of the families involved.
Bottom Row L to R: Jared Swanson, Anthony Bocchino, and
Nicholas Summers Top Row L to R: Deano Summers, Sam Fosdick, Corey Rufo, Kevin
Ivany, Brandon Hurtado, and Tim Rufo
Missing: Brendan Curtis, Kevin McMaster, Thomas Sullivan, John Bernbaum, Anthony
Bettoncourt, Andrew Hallahan, Shamus Royds, Jake La Verde, and Coach Glen Curtis
MEB had four teams competing this year – Mite, Squirt, Pee Wee, and Bantam – in
the contest that we have traditionally played in each February for the past few
years. The schedule was a tough one this year, with one of the first games of
the weekend featuring our youngest players, the Mites. Along with them, we
logged lots more minutes on Friday, with five games before early afternoon, and
six in total after one late night match, where our Bantam team tied one of our
rivals from Casco Bay (Maine). With Saturday games coming early as well for both
the Squirt and Pee Wee teams, we had a rough record at the end of the night,
with just two of our four teams not on the negative side of the score sheet.
Early Saturday proved to be a good time for our Pee Wees, who won their second
in the 7:00 AM game against a team from north central Massachusetts. Our Squirts
did not fare as well, dropping another to the Hawks from the south shore (MA).
Saturday games picked up again at dinner time, which our teams did not
appreciate much. The Squirts, Mites, and Bantams all had difficulty finding the
back of the net with the puck while skipping dinner with friends. In late night
games, the Pee Wee’s extended their winning streak to take first place in their
division heading into the playoffs on Sunday with a win over the Southeast
Cyclones (MA). Our oldest players in the tournament ended their qualifying round
with more trouble, dropping the 10:00 PM game to the Southern Maine Breakers,
ending their tournament trip.
On Sunday morning, our Pee Wees were our only team in the playoffs, and broke
out early in their re-match against the Cyclones, leading 4-2 in the second
period. In the end, they were defeated 6-5 in a tough game in the early morning
playoff round. This team displayed great teamwork and effort, and really enjoyed
themselves in the tournament – a great showing for MEB all around! Please see
the team photo above – a great time in Marlborough for these kids and all of the
other players, siblings, parents and families! |
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