Main Street, Melrose, MA
March 19, 2011
Barry’s Tea, an Irish favorite, is what Tim Moynihan, wearing a Bruins cap, serves me from the counter of Breads ‘N’ Bits of Ireland. The gray-haired gentleman has already prepared two egg sandwiches, one for me and the other for the AMHL Photographer, who’s still seated at the back of this family-owned and -operated shop.
Mr. Moynihan places the teapot and then two thick slices of toasted Irish bread on my tray as we conclude our conversation—his brogue as strong as a salmon’s heart—about Irish jaunting cars, ponyback rides, and storytellers in Ireland. I thank the Killarney native and then join my wife.
I’ve already read the Boston Globe sports section (the Bruins’ power play has been unplugged, good hockey game between BC and Northeastern), and now focus on my food and surroundings: My green-eyed lass across the table; behind her, the framed poster of a traditional Irish dresser; and to the left, the real version whose shelves hold family pictures and a poem about friendship.
The couple to my left is readingb the newspaper when a contemporary joins them to discuss last night’s Hockey East action. The BC Eagles beat the NU Huskies, 5–4. “Northeastern is good,” the upright friend says. They wonder how Merrimack will fair against favored BC tonight. His seated pal predicts an upset.
My best friend and I finish brekkie and then drive home, where tonight we’ll watch Recchi and Kelly and the lads from Boston against the Leafs in Toronto. Win or lose, I reckon I’ll enjoy a slice of soda bread Mr. Moynihan sold us, sip tea, and wonder if Barry Melrose is watching the game, too.
Showing posts with label Maple Leafs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maple Leafs. Show all posts
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Friday, January 01, 2010
Tuesday Championship: The Green Machine
December 22, 2009Concord, MA
We join this game in progress, early in the third period. The Penguins—skating left to right across your AMHL audio—are clinging to a 2–1 lead over the Leafs when the Penguins score a surprise goal off a face-off.
“Who got that one?” this reporter (who was glancing at his notes instead of watching the action) asks referee Peter Bagley.
“The green kid,” Bags replies.
Ryan O’Connor is a scoring machine. The fleet-footed twenty-seven-year-old lad is proficient with the puck but is perhaps better known for his garish green hockey garb.
Bagley will later provide, via email, details. “Ryan O’Connor or “The Green Machine” as the officials refer to him, is one of the league’s best players. Ryan is always a gentleman taking face-offs, skates up and down the ice each and every shift and wears the most hideous combination of colors in the league. I have asked him to buy new gear and in 2009 he did buy some new gloves, BLACK to replace the green and yellow ones from 1994.”
O’Connor, who will say that Bagley gives him guff at every face-off, lists his hometown as Westwood, MA. He recalls his early introduction to hockey, well before he acquired his now famous hockey digs. “I was first on skates at three years old. My father played in high school and college, so he got me on skates when I was young.”
Ryan’s youth hockey coaches recognized the talent that would two decades later become obvious to AMHL fans. O’Connor says, “When I was real young I played defense, but I was one of the smaller and quicker players.”
So O’Connor converted to forward.
Fast forward a dozen or so years later—to the late-90s—when Ryan played for the Westwood (MA) Wolverines. “Oakey,” as his teammates called him, looked good in green but not good enough to earn the attention of college scouts. So O’Connor didn’t pursue a college hockey career.
“Didn’t even consider it,” Ryan says. “I wasn’t the best player in high school.”
He played pickup hockey at Fairfield University (CT) but then hockey’s allure diminished. The years slipped away as a career in high tech ranked higher than hockey. In 2002, he just stopped playing— until six years later O’Connor realized what he was missing.
He wanted back in the game.
Ryan contacted AMHL legend Dana Salvo, who worked with O’Connor’s sister, and then joined the AMHL in the summer of 2008.
Now, eighteen months (and five AMHL seasons later), Oakey has accrued seventy-three goals, including the one he has just scored against the Leafs and which he will recount for AMHL fans (and the snoozing scribe)
“(My) initial strategy was to bring the puck back to my right defenseman.” But when Leaf Mike “MMMBop” Hansen’s composite stick broke on impact with the ice and O’Connor’s stick, Ryan instead collected the loose puck and then danced around the stunned Hansen. And quicker than you can say “there goes $70 down the drain,” O’Connor then flicked the puck past Mike Edwards.
But less than two minutes later, the Penguins are caught flat-footed when Leaf forward Brendan Doyle malingers to the right of goalie Claude Corbeil. Doyle deposits a rebound past the netminder.
3–2 Penguins.
With less than ten minutes remaining, Leaf forward Rob Mirak crashes the net. He says yes to a backhand shot, but Claude says non. A follow-up attempt—non encore!
Corbeil's big-time saves are all the Penguins need, and O’Connor’s third period goal proves to be the game-winner.
After the game, O’Connor stuffs his old Kelly greens in his hockey bag.
Don’t expect the “Green Machine” to trade them in. O’Connor says, “I figure if I changed (them) nobody would recognize me anymore.”
Sunday, May 10, 2009
AMHL Tuesday Championship: Cinco de Mayo
el martes, el cinco de mayo de 2009Concord, MA
Like the underdog Mexican army against the mighty French invaders on el cinco de mayo de 1862 (but with much less bloodshed), the AMHL Flyers will fight the good fight against les Leafs.
With surprise starter Miguel Edwards, whose knee is slated for surgery, in nets, the Flyers hold down the proverbial fort in the first period. The Leafs, though stymied, have not surrendered a goal either, so we move to the second period to break the scoreless tie.
Leafs skating right to left across tu radio, the puck is loose in the Flyer zone. Forward Brent “Dos Minutos” Rice, who in past seasons was well-acquainted with the penalty box but has remained penalty-free this season, out-maneuvers the Flyer sentries; Rice seizes the puck in the slot and then performs a backhandarama—spinning as he steers the puck between Edwards’ right skate and the post.
The Flyers counter, when Billy “¿Por qué no?” Whynot beats Leaf legend Mitch Weiss.
In the third period and the Flyers clinging to a 3–2 lead, tempers flare. Flyer Pedro Buenhombre and Leaf Brendan “el Diablo” Doyle almost go mano a mano, but they are dismissed to the sin bin before the fists can fly.
Los dos combatantes watch along with the growing crowd (including Kate “Margarita” Mikkelson, who upon realizing what this day in history signifies, ponders the possibility of imbibing in a lime-based elixir) as history (sort of) repeats itself.
Juan Sweeney scores two goals in less than a minute, and then, más rápido than you can say, “viva la revolución,” the rout is on and the Flyers have won, 10–2.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
New England Hockey Journal Radio Show: The Best Banter
From the pre-game chatter to the call from soft-spoken “Michael from Brookline” to the gregarious contribution from “Kevin from Melrose” to the post-game gabbing, it was a thrill to be part of the New England Hockey Journal Radio Show (NEHJRS). In ESPN 890’s Charlestown studio to talk hockey with Kevin Paul Dupont and Mick Colageo. I enjoyed participating in the on-air banter, but the behind-the scenes stuff was savory, too.
Saturday, January 17
During an early commercial break, I look at Mick, who has raised his headset to a new level: His earphones rest above his ear lobes.
“That’s a good luck for you,” I say.
He then repositions them to front to back, one ear pad on his forehead and the other on the back of his bulb. He looks not like a hockey jockey but more like an insane reindeer. But then the close of the Hockey Monkey ad, a staple of the show’s commercial stock, prompts Mick to get back to business.
The hot topic today is Vincent Lecavalier: Should the B’s make a move for the talented Tampa Bay forward? Dupes suggested as much in a recent column, writing “If (the Bruins) want to be in the Big Vin derby, they have the horses.” Callers debate the pros and cons of KPD’s case. Passion pervades every conversation. But laughter and levity will linger for me.
“Ron from Danvers” wrangles with Dupes about who the B’s might trade for Vinny. The Hall-of Fame scribe delivers an all-star caliber quip: “You can put your ’64 Rambler into this deal.”
Then, after a four-minute commercial break commences, KPD removes his headphones and delivers another beauty: “I’m goin’ for donuts.”
He exits the booth to pluck a Boston Kreme from the box my wife (who’s lingering around the office outside the studio) and I brought with us from our Saturday donut pantheon.
After a bathroom break (I’m a little nervous about my upcoming formal introduction), I select a Chocolate Frosted and then return to the booth.
“How do you stay in shot-blocking shape?” Mick, his microphone not yet open, asks me.
As we take our seats before the first half’s closing segment, I tell them that I walk to work and take the stairs instead of the elevator.
The white button is now lit, meaning we’re back on the air. Mick, seated to my right, mentions my “darling” wife and how, as a birthday gift, she arranged my appearance on the show. He then references my presence at HFBoards as Shotblocker32.
Dupes, across the table from me, wonders what number I have on the back of the Black and Gold replica jersey I’m wearing.
Number 32. Boston Bruin Don Sweeney.
After another commercial break, the second hour begins. Mick is still chewing on what he refers to as an “unfettered” Old Fashioned that he says sticks to your teeth in an unusual sort of way. He looks to me to add commentary.
“I’m all about the donuts,” I say, adding that I know what my role on this show is.
‘This is great radio…,” says Dave Shook, who takes time out from pressing the buttons in the control room. “Best radio banter that nobody can see.”
Saturday, January 17
During an early commercial break, I look at Mick, who has raised his headset to a new level: His earphones rest above his ear lobes.
“That’s a good luck for you,” I say.
He then repositions them to front to back, one ear pad on his forehead and the other on the back of his bulb. He looks not like a hockey jockey but more like an insane reindeer. But then the close of the Hockey Monkey ad, a staple of the show’s commercial stock, prompts Mick to get back to business.
The hot topic today is Vincent Lecavalier: Should the B’s make a move for the talented Tampa Bay forward? Dupes suggested as much in a recent column, writing “If (the Bruins) want to be in the Big Vin derby, they have the horses.” Callers debate the pros and cons of KPD’s case. Passion pervades every conversation. But laughter and levity will linger for me.
“Ron from Danvers” wrangles with Dupes about who the B’s might trade for Vinny. The Hall-of Fame scribe delivers an all-star caliber quip: “You can put your ’64 Rambler into this deal.”
Then, after a four-minute commercial break commences, KPD removes his headphones and delivers another beauty: “I’m goin’ for donuts.”
He exits the booth to pluck a Boston Kreme from the box my wife (who’s lingering around the office outside the studio) and I brought with us from our Saturday donut pantheon.
After a bathroom break (I’m a little nervous about my upcoming formal introduction), I select a Chocolate Frosted and then return to the booth.
“How do you stay in shot-blocking shape?” Mick, his microphone not yet open, asks me.
As we take our seats before the first half’s closing segment, I tell them that I walk to work and take the stairs instead of the elevator.
The white button is now lit, meaning we’re back on the air. Mick, seated to my right, mentions my “darling” wife and how, as a birthday gift, she arranged my appearance on the show. He then references my presence at HFBoards as Shotblocker32.
Dupes, across the table from me, wonders what number I have on the back of the Black and Gold replica jersey I’m wearing.
Number 32. Boston Bruin Don Sweeney.
After another commercial break, the second hour begins. Mick is still chewing on what he refers to as an “unfettered” Old Fashioned that he says sticks to your teeth in an unusual sort of way. He looks to me to add commentary.
“I’m all about the donuts,” I say, adding that I know what my role on this show is.
‘This is great radio…,” says Dave Shook, who takes time out from pressing the buttons in the control room. “Best radio banter that nobody can see.”
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Bruins Recap: All Aboard
Another successful week for the Bruins has Boston—from Alewife to the Aquarium; from Back Bay to Charlestown—buzzing about the Black and Gold. All aboard, then, for this week’s recap.
On Monday morning—a day off for the AMHL Photographer and me—we entered the Red Line train at Alewife Station. Posters promoting NESN’s Instigators show greeted us.
After eating breakfast at Charlie’s Sandwich Shoppe (I recommend the turkey hash) in the South End; watching the penguins, sharks, and winter skates at the New England Aquarium; lunch at Jose McIntyre’s (bring on the steak burrito), and then a ferry ride (on the SS Rookie) to and from Charlestown, we descended to the Blue Line.
A familiar voice echoed through the cavernous platform area. “This is Andrew Ference…,” the B’s injured defenseman and go-green guy, announced.
“Whoo hoo, Andy!” I yelled, as Ference proclaimed the merits of mass transport.
My wife and I took the Blue Line to the Green Line, where Mike Milbury, Jack Edwards, and Andy Brickley’s likenesses again greeted us, to the Prudential Center (we skipped dinner in favor of dessert).
With dusk developing into darkness, we walked thru “the Pru” to Back Bay Station. The throng there consisted of commuters and Bruins’ fans, who, unlike us, were headed for the Garden.
“Yeah, Bruins,” I bellowed as I patted a fan on the back. He and his friends or family would watch the B’s in person while TLP (the league photographer) and I would watch on NESN. The Bruins beat the Bolts, 5–3.
On Wednesday night, the growing fan base was disappointed when, in Washington, D.C., the Bruins out-shot the Capitals but lost, 1–3.
Two days later in Atlanta, the Black and Gold bounced back to trash the Thrashers. Then, last night, the Bruins bashed the Thrash again, this time in front of a full-house at the Garden.
Running roughshod over the weaker teams (when you’ve won twenty games, that means every team except the Sharks, whom the Bruins host in February) has become commonplace, but the Bruins don’t appear to be complacent when assessing their performance; they know they still have improvements to make: finishing on scoring chances (not good enough against the Capitals) and preventing opponents from scoring the last goal of the game (the Thrashers did that in successive games).
Come this Thursday, when the Bruins host the Leafs in front of fans—many of whom have arrived at North Station via the commuter rail and the Green Line—we’ll see if the B’s can keep this train rolling.
If you’re already enjoying the ride, fantastic. If not, I think Andrew Ference would agree: Get on board.
On Monday morning—a day off for the AMHL Photographer and me—we entered the Red Line train at Alewife Station. Posters promoting NESN’s Instigators show greeted us.
After eating breakfast at Charlie’s Sandwich Shoppe (I recommend the turkey hash) in the South End; watching the penguins, sharks, and winter skates at the New England Aquarium; lunch at Jose McIntyre’s (bring on the steak burrito), and then a ferry ride (on the SS Rookie) to and from Charlestown, we descended to the Blue Line.
A familiar voice echoed through the cavernous platform area. “This is Andrew Ference…,” the B’s injured defenseman and go-green guy, announced.
“Whoo hoo, Andy!” I yelled, as Ference proclaimed the merits of mass transport.
My wife and I took the Blue Line to the Green Line, where Mike Milbury, Jack Edwards, and Andy Brickley’s likenesses again greeted us, to the Prudential Center (we skipped dinner in favor of dessert).
With dusk developing into darkness, we walked thru “the Pru” to Back Bay Station. The throng there consisted of commuters and Bruins’ fans, who, unlike us, were headed for the Garden.
“Yeah, Bruins,” I bellowed as I patted a fan on the back. He and his friends or family would watch the B’s in person while TLP (the league photographer) and I would watch on NESN. The Bruins beat the Bolts, 5–3.
On Wednesday night, the growing fan base was disappointed when, in Washington, D.C., the Bruins out-shot the Capitals but lost, 1–3.
Two days later in Atlanta, the Black and Gold bounced back to trash the Thrashers. Then, last night, the Bruins bashed the Thrash again, this time in front of a full-house at the Garden.
Running roughshod over the weaker teams (when you’ve won twenty games, that means every team except the Sharks, whom the Bruins host in February) has become commonplace, but the Bruins don’t appear to be complacent when assessing their performance; they know they still have improvements to make: finishing on scoring chances (not good enough against the Capitals) and preventing opponents from scoring the last goal of the game (the Thrashers did that in successive games).
Come this Thursday, when the Bruins host the Leafs in front of fans—many of whom have arrived at North Station via the commuter rail and the Green Line—we’ll see if the B’s can keep this train rolling.
If you’re already enjoying the ride, fantastic. If not, I think Andrew Ference would agree: Get on board.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Celtic Pride
Kate fallon (goalie, pictured right): Will the lassie lead the Sharks to another championship?In Celtic Pride (1996), Bostonians and best friends Mike O’Hara (Daniel Stern) and Jimmy Flaherty (Dan Aykroyd) are hockey fans (remember the scene where Jimmy is watching the Bruins on TV?). That’s right, hockey fans.
Sure, the movie was about the buddies’ obsession with the hometown team sporting the shamrock; but when Mike and Jimmy come down from the high triggered by the Celtics’ championship and ensuing celebrations, the two boyos will be ready to appear in Celtic Pride 2.
You see, Jimmy and Mike will become AMHL fans.
The two blue collar lads will love everyone’s favorite morning hockey (and donut) league because it’s rich with Celtic connections. From Tuesday to Thursday, AMHL rosters have been rooted in Irish heritage.
The Doyle brothers, Brendan and Jeremy, enjoy a cult-like following from Concord to County Cork. The two Flyers may well hoist the Koffey Cup again, as they did last season for the Leafs.
The Leafs will wallow in last place unless they can recruit a player with a surname such as Mahoney or Mahony. Peter Mahoney, who retired from the league several seasons ago, set a record for assists in a game, has not yet been contacted by Leafs management. Meanwhile, Bill Mahony, may be too busy chasing his kids around this summer to play hockey. Nonetheless, Billy’s agent is working the phones, trying to design an incentive-packed deal for his client.
The Blues’ Ryan O’Connor (not to be confused with the Barrie Colts’ sixth-round draft pick) leads all AMHL rookies in scoring. Teammate John Sweeney, in his second season, has already doubled his goal production from the last campaign.
“Penguin Pat” Obrien is making a comeback. The feisty Irishman scored three points in his first game in more than a year. His goalie, the unorthodox Brian Monahan, leads the league is poke checks and pucks deflected out of play. And Jeff Quinn, if his statistics are any indication of his potential, will continue to improve.
On Wednesday’s, Tim Donahue—last season’s MVP—has already lit the lamp nine times (and assisted on nine goals) for the Canadiens. Good luck trying to stop him.
Kate Fallon, who backstopped the Sharks to a championship last season, has a 2.66 GAA for the Teal Tiburones. Bobby Kilkenny can play nets if needed, but Stow’s (MA) favorite celebrity is blossoming into a point-producing prodigy. The CPA-by-day has been putting up big numbers this season.
Kevin Lyons, an unheralded Sabre defenseman, is best at putting out fires—in and around Acton and in the creases at Valley Sports Arenas.
On Thursdays, Paul Connors, the ever-steady and heady blue liner, has commanded the Caps to 5–0–1–0 record.
Mike Kennedy, City Sport’s CEO and de facto Avalanche captain, will make a new name for the Kennedy clan. “K” was out of commission last season with a tennis-related injury; but in his first game back, the venerable defenseman scored a highlight-reel goal (against his own goalie). Other than that blunder, Kennedy has returned to form: no goals, one assist, but lots of no-panic play, effective passing, and legendary leadership.
The Bruins, like the Leafs on Wednesday, are winless and hoping AMHL management will trade an AMHLer with obvious Irish ancestry to the hapless clubs.
And let’s not forget the Panthers. With the versatile and quick-witted Kevin “Hungry Hill” Reilly, time-tested Tommy Barrett, and yours truly, we’re a good bet to win the championship.
We’ll make fast friends with Mike O’Hara and Jimmy Flaherty, too.
Friday, May 09, 2008
AMHL Tuesday: Lucky Charms
Image courtesy of PaddyMurphy at flickr.com
Tuesday May 6, 2008
“Is maith an t-anlann an t-ocras.” Translation from Gaelic: “Hunger is the best sauce.”
So who wants a Koffey Cup victory more this morning, Leafs or Flyers?
Late in the first period, the Leafs are leading 2–1 and are on the attack. Leaf Brendan Doyle is too close to the net and Flyer Mike Moore lets him know it. Irish tempers flare, and the two take to pushing and shoving.
Before a donnybrook erupts, the two are separated and then sent to their penalty boxes.
“The boys are here to play,” says referee Kenny O’Mato (He says Amato. I say O’Mato) to his colleague, Peter Bagley and this reporter. “Emotions are running high.”
Less than a minute into the second period, the Leafs—skating right to left across Dave Goucher’s streaming imagination—attack. Doyle pushes a rebound past netminder Mitch “Edel” Weiss. Mitch must shoulder the unenviable nickname of the white regal-looking flower, and Doyle has a shamrock tattoo on his right shoulder.
After Moore scores, cutting the Leafs’ lead to 3–2, Brendan watches his little brother skate to the sin bin. Jeremy, about nine years Brendan’s junior, quenches his thirst with a few swigs of Gatorade as his teammates stymie the Flyers’ power play.
Not long after the younger Doyle exits the box, teammate Mike “MmmBop” Hansen lifts a backhand shot over Weiss’s glove—and into the net? The Flyers say no, but the on-ice officials say yes.
Marshall McLean, the Flyer’s go-to guy all season long, scores his second goal this morning, slashing the Leaf’s lead in half again. 4–3 at the second intermission.
“I wanna go upstairs,” says O’Mato. But league officials hired to review controversial play-off goals are rumored to be guarding the donuts instead of monitoring the expensive video technology installed at Concord Valley Sports executive offices earlier this week.
In the third period, the Leafs and Flyers trade goals faster than Allied Irish Banks trades junk bonds.
Each team has invested so much energy this season and neither is ready to quit. They’re both hungry, and as you know, “Is maith an t-anlann an t-ocras.”
With 2:20 on the clock, Marshall McLean scores. 6–6.
Forty seconds later, Leaf fan favorite, the fleet-footed Martin O’Schedlbauer crosses the Flyer’s blue line with the puck. Moore steps up to intercept him. M.O., who has scored only four goals this season but nonetheless has endeared himself with fans with his leprechaun-like charm, eludes his lean and lanky opponent. M.O. strides to the high slot. He shoots…he hits the post!
Leafs Nation is desperate for a hero.
Jeremy Doyle, a seamróg stuck to the back of his Cooper helmet, rushes down the left wing. He crosses the blue line, the emerald talisman glinting.
Brendan Doyle, who coached his little brother back in the day in Newburyport’s Little Ireland, now watches Jeremy reach the circle to Weiss’s right.
1:05 on the clock.
The lad winds up for a slap shot. He shoots…he scores! Fans from Dublin to Dorchester are downright delirious!
In the donut room, the new hero of Leafs Nation and Little Ireland forages for a Glazed Munchkin (they’re magically delicious). Before this morning, Jeremy Doyle had scored only four goals, but now he says he’s been saving up all season for a goal like this morning’s game-winner.
"An rud is annamh is íontach.” "What is seldom is wonderful."
Late in the first period, the Leafs are leading 2–1 and are on the attack. Leaf Brendan Doyle is too close to the net and Flyer Mike Moore lets him know it. Irish tempers flare, and the two take to pushing and shoving.
Before a donnybrook erupts, the two are separated and then sent to their penalty boxes.
“The boys are here to play,” says referee Kenny O’Mato (He says Amato. I say O’Mato) to his colleague, Peter Bagley and this reporter. “Emotions are running high.”
Less than a minute into the second period, the Leafs—skating right to left across Dave Goucher’s streaming imagination—attack. Doyle pushes a rebound past netminder Mitch “Edel” Weiss. Mitch must shoulder the unenviable nickname of the white regal-looking flower, and Doyle has a shamrock tattoo on his right shoulder.
After Moore scores, cutting the Leafs’ lead to 3–2, Brendan watches his little brother skate to the sin bin. Jeremy, about nine years Brendan’s junior, quenches his thirst with a few swigs of Gatorade as his teammates stymie the Flyers’ power play.
Not long after the younger Doyle exits the box, teammate Mike “MmmBop” Hansen lifts a backhand shot over Weiss’s glove—and into the net? The Flyers say no, but the on-ice officials say yes.
Marshall McLean, the Flyer’s go-to guy all season long, scores his second goal this morning, slashing the Leaf’s lead in half again. 4–3 at the second intermission.
“I wanna go upstairs,” says O’Mato. But league officials hired to review controversial play-off goals are rumored to be guarding the donuts instead of monitoring the expensive video technology installed at Concord Valley Sports executive offices earlier this week.
In the third period, the Leafs and Flyers trade goals faster than Allied Irish Banks trades junk bonds.
Each team has invested so much energy this season and neither is ready to quit. They’re both hungry, and as you know, “Is maith an t-anlann an t-ocras.”
With 2:20 on the clock, Marshall McLean scores. 6–6.
Forty seconds later, Leaf fan favorite, the fleet-footed Martin O’Schedlbauer crosses the Flyer’s blue line with the puck. Moore steps up to intercept him. M.O., who has scored only four goals this season but nonetheless has endeared himself with fans with his leprechaun-like charm, eludes his lean and lanky opponent. M.O. strides to the high slot. He shoots…he hits the post!
Leafs Nation is desperate for a hero.
Jeremy Doyle, a seamróg stuck to the back of his Cooper helmet, rushes down the left wing. He crosses the blue line, the emerald talisman glinting.
Brendan Doyle, who coached his little brother back in the day in Newburyport’s Little Ireland, now watches Jeremy reach the circle to Weiss’s right.
1:05 on the clock.
The lad winds up for a slap shot. He shoots…he scores! Fans from Dublin to Dorchester are downright delirious!
In the donut room, the new hero of Leafs Nation and Little Ireland forages for a Glazed Munchkin (they’re magically delicious). Before this morning, Jeremy Doyle had scored only four goals, but now he says he’s been saving up all season for a goal like this morning’s game-winner.
"An rud is annamh is íontach.” "What is seldom is wonderful."
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Canadian Espionage: Pirates and the Play-offs
The authorities couldn’t deter me from completing my mission: survey New Brunswickians about their hockey allegiances. The federal agencies tracking my whereabouts did manage to dupe the AMHL Photographer and me into boarding a barge bound from Grand Manan to the mainland. But the four-hour ride across the Passamaquoddy Bay—a trip the regular ferry completed in less than two hours—and the barge pirates did not prevent me from delivering the results of the informal poll of eleven random Canadians, from St. Andrews to St. John.
-Canadiens’ fans: 5
-Bruins’ fans: 2
-Other: 4
These numbers don’t tell the whole story.
“Habs in four,” said one male when asked what team he wanted to win the quarterfinal match-up pitting the Montreal Canadiens against my beloved Bruins.
He and his friend, interviewed at a SportChek in St. John, may as well have had their faces painted in les couleurs de les habitants.
Other “fans” of les bleu, blanc et rouge weren’t so enthusiastic. “H-h-habs,” admitted one denizen at the Red Herring Pub in St. Andrews. He was barely able name the enemy of Leafs Nation. Even though the hospitable patron said he has “a soft spot for the Bruins,” his loyalties lay with Canadian teams. “Go Calgary!” he added.
Mr. Hospitality was not alone in begrudgingly embracing the Canadiens. Back at the SportChek, a man about my age was decked out in an Orange and Black sweater. A Flyers’ fan since the 70s, he said he’d root for the Canadiens, but only if they were the only Canadian team left in the play-offs and only if they weren’t facing the Broad Street Bullies.
“I like the Oilers,” someone said at the Canadian Tire (where I bought a Sher-Wood PMP 7000 with a 5.5 lie for $14.99). She didn’t care much for the Habs or the Bruins. The fellow behind me in the checkout line wasn’t too thrilled to talk to the guy taking notes and declined to comment.
But most were eager to voice their opinions, including Norm, god love him, at the Red Herring. Norm, who owns the Great Canadian Dollar Store franchise in St. Andrews, was not wearing the Black and Gold but immediately piped up when he learned there were Bruins’ fans in the house. A fan since the glory days of Orr, Norm talked hockey with my wife and me well into the night as the Senators succumbed to the Penguins on Hockey Night in New Brunswick.
-Canadiens’ fans: 5
-Bruins’ fans: 2
-Other: 4
These numbers don’t tell the whole story.
“Habs in four,” said one male when asked what team he wanted to win the quarterfinal match-up pitting the Montreal Canadiens against my beloved Bruins.
He and his friend, interviewed at a SportChek in St. John, may as well have had their faces painted in les couleurs de les habitants.
Other “fans” of les bleu, blanc et rouge weren’t so enthusiastic. “H-h-habs,” admitted one denizen at the Red Herring Pub in St. Andrews. He was barely able name the enemy of Leafs Nation. Even though the hospitable patron said he has “a soft spot for the Bruins,” his loyalties lay with Canadian teams. “Go Calgary!” he added.
Mr. Hospitality was not alone in begrudgingly embracing the Canadiens. Back at the SportChek, a man about my age was decked out in an Orange and Black sweater. A Flyers’ fan since the 70s, he said he’d root for the Canadiens, but only if they were the only Canadian team left in the play-offs and only if they weren’t facing the Broad Street Bullies.
“I like the Oilers,” someone said at the Canadian Tire (where I bought a Sher-Wood PMP 7000 with a 5.5 lie for $14.99). She didn’t care much for the Habs or the Bruins. The fellow behind me in the checkout line wasn’t too thrilled to talk to the guy taking notes and declined to comment.
But most were eager to voice their opinions, including Norm, god love him, at the Red Herring. Norm, who owns the Great Canadian Dollar Store franchise in St. Andrews, was not wearing the Black and Gold but immediately piped up when he learned there were Bruins’ fans in the house. A fan since the glory days of Orr, Norm talked hockey with my wife and me well into the night as the Senators succumbed to the Penguins on Hockey Night in New Brunswick.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Short Shifts: Here's to U
Driving home from another trip to CanadAmerica, I hear on WBZ radio that Boston College beat Notre Dame, 4–1 to win the 2008 NCAA Division I Championship. Gerbe and the gang weren’t the only Eagles on ice this week. So in honor of BC (and a few other Boston-based schools, and one in upstate New York), here’s to U.
Tuesday morning, BC alumni Kate Mikkelson, Erin Tullock, and Mike Chase (posing here as a lumberjack) wore not maroon and gold but blue and white—for the AMHL Blues. The trio defeated Mike Evans (another BC alumnus among us) and the Leafs 6–1.
Wednesday, the Sharks’ Andy Hayes and the Sabres’ Jonathon Corke (teammates at Clark University), played against each other. Corke’s teammate, Stephen “Whoa Nellie” Antonelli (alma mater unknown, but you can ask him; he loves fan mail) scored the game-winner. “It was an ugly backhander,” Antonelli would say after the game, “that scooted inside the pipe.”
Thursday, MIT’s Chad Mikkelson scored two goals for the Avalanche. Tied at two in OT with the Caps, fellow Av Tom “Last Train to Clarkson” Hargrave—slapped a shot toward the Capitals’ goal. An Av tipped the puck over the goal line—just after the buzzer (or so said referee and BC alumnus Peter Bagley).
Tuesday morning, BC alumni Kate Mikkelson, Erin Tullock, and Mike Chase (posing here as a lumberjack) wore not maroon and gold but blue and white—for the AMHL Blues. The trio defeated Mike Evans (another BC alumnus among us) and the Leafs 6–1.
Wednesday, the Sharks’ Andy Hayes and the Sabres’ Jonathon Corke (teammates at Clark University), played against each other. Corke’s teammate, Stephen “Whoa Nellie” Antonelli (alma mater unknown, but you can ask him; he loves fan mail) scored the game-winner. “It was an ugly backhander,” Antonelli would say after the game, “that scooted inside the pipe.”
Thursday, MIT’s Chad Mikkelson scored two goals for the Avalanche. Tied at two in OT with the Caps, fellow Av Tom “Last Train to Clarkson” Hargrave—slapped a shot toward the Capitals’ goal. An Av tipped the puck over the goal line—just after the buzzer (or so said referee and BC alumnus Peter Bagley).
Monday, February 18, 2008
Muscial Montage
Saturday, February 16, 2008
I’ve missed the Dunkin’ Donuts Musical Montage—the between-period, set-to-music Bruins’ highlight reel—tonight but won’t miss the final frame, when I expect the Bs to sustain or increase their 2–1 lead over the Leafs in Toronto.
While I wait for the third period to commence, I present a soundtrack for the last few days. Rewind to Thursday morning: As my Avalanche teammates prepared for the third period against the Capitals, my defensive partner pounded the metal support column, painted white, to his right.
“Bodies on the floor. Bodies on the floor,” Bill Chioffi chanted in his best monster truck rally voice, repeating the lines from some heavy metal song (he thinks it’s Metallica, but I can't verify that. Anyone?) as he pounded out the beat.
I don’t know if Chioffi’s charades pumped up Andy “Zach” Zacharakis, but the goggled warrior scored a late goal to give us a 5–4 victory. This pleased our goalie, Kenny “KISS Fan” Tarr because if the game had gone into OT and the Panthers had scored, Kenny’s GAA would have taken a hit.
Kenny and his wife sat in Section L at Conte Forum at Boston College on Friday night. My wife and I sat a few rows back. The Eagles struggled against the underdog UMass Lowell River Hawks, but BC’s pep band tried to jack up the home team and its fans with Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” and the Sport Chant Remix in Zombie Nation’s “Kernkraft 400”. Neither the band nor the person who selects music for the PA system chose KISS, but Kenny was content with AC/DC.
And I was happy to tap my toes to a tune by Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine as Baldwin the Eagle (or was it Baldwin Jr. ?) skated around the rink, chucking sponge pucks into the crowds of kids gathered behind the Plexiglas. The youngsters were ultimately disappointed because the Eagles succumbed to the River Hawks, 1–3.
Saturday morning, I opened the CD my wife had bought for me, Anne Murray Duets: Friends & Legends. I read the inserted booklet containing the stories behind the songs—from “Danny’s Song” to “Si Jamais Je Te Revois” (If I Ever See You Again), sung with the likes of Martina McBride and Isabelle Boulay —all the while thinking about Glen Murray, who like Anne, is from Nova Scotia. What’s his favorite song by Anne Murray? “Daydream Believer” or “Snowbird”?
Muzz scored a goal against the Leafs, but the Bs bungle a 2–1 lead in third and then lose in OT. My quick-thinking wife changes the channel before the last Bruin exits the ice. We watch the last half of Miracle, and I enjoy the goose pimples I get when Eruzione scores his goal and then does his dance. After the victory over Finland and then the gold medal ceremony, I read the where-are-they-now updates flashing on the tube as Aerosmith’s “Dream On” stokes my core.
I’ve missed the Dunkin’ Donuts Musical Montage—the between-period, set-to-music Bruins’ highlight reel—tonight but won’t miss the final frame, when I expect the Bs to sustain or increase their 2–1 lead over the Leafs in Toronto.
While I wait for the third period to commence, I present a soundtrack for the last few days. Rewind to Thursday morning: As my Avalanche teammates prepared for the third period against the Capitals, my defensive partner pounded the metal support column, painted white, to his right.
“Bodies on the floor. Bodies on the floor,” Bill Chioffi chanted in his best monster truck rally voice, repeating the lines from some heavy metal song (he thinks it’s Metallica, but I can't verify that. Anyone?) as he pounded out the beat.
I don’t know if Chioffi’s charades pumped up Andy “Zach” Zacharakis, but the goggled warrior scored a late goal to give us a 5–4 victory. This pleased our goalie, Kenny “KISS Fan” Tarr because if the game had gone into OT and the Panthers had scored, Kenny’s GAA would have taken a hit.
Kenny and his wife sat in Section L at Conte Forum at Boston College on Friday night. My wife and I sat a few rows back. The Eagles struggled against the underdog UMass Lowell River Hawks, but BC’s pep band tried to jack up the home team and its fans with Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” and the Sport Chant Remix in Zombie Nation’s “Kernkraft 400”. Neither the band nor the person who selects music for the PA system chose KISS, but Kenny was content with AC/DC.
And I was happy to tap my toes to a tune by Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine as Baldwin the Eagle (or was it Baldwin Jr. ?) skated around the rink, chucking sponge pucks into the crowds of kids gathered behind the Plexiglas. The youngsters were ultimately disappointed because the Eagles succumbed to the River Hawks, 1–3.
Saturday morning, I opened the CD my wife had bought for me, Anne Murray Duets: Friends & Legends. I read the inserted booklet containing the stories behind the songs—from “Danny’s Song” to “Si Jamais Je Te Revois” (If I Ever See You Again), sung with the likes of Martina McBride and Isabelle Boulay —all the while thinking about Glen Murray, who like Anne, is from Nova Scotia. What’s his favorite song by Anne Murray? “Daydream Believer” or “Snowbird”?
Muzz scored a goal against the Leafs, but the Bs bungle a 2–1 lead in third and then lose in OT. My quick-thinking wife changes the channel before the last Bruin exits the ice. We watch the last half of Miracle, and I enjoy the goose pimples I get when Eruzione scores his goal and then does his dance. After the victory over Finland and then the gold medal ceremony, I read the where-are-they-now updates flashing on the tube as Aerosmith’s “Dream On” stokes my core.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
If You Could Read My Mind
Image provided courtesy of www.lightfoot.ca“If you could read my mind,” as the Gordon Lightfoot song title goes…
…you could tell that Canada has been on my brain this week. I’ve been reading Vinyl Café Diaries by Stuart McLean, whom some might claim is the Canadian equivalent of Garrison Keillor. McLean accentuates his bust-a-gut funny stories about Dave, who owns and operates a record shop in Toronto, and his family, with references to hockey.
On Rink Two on Thursday morning, I was five feet in front of my goalie, Nova Scotia native Kenny “KISS Fan” Tarr (hello Lower Sackville readers) when Chris “Tower of” Power, from Toronto, wound up for a slap shot at the top of the circle to my right Get out of the way? Skate out to meet the Al Iafrate of the AMHL? I froze like Northern Saskatchewan in early January as the puck whistled past me and then past my screened goalie.
Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs were probably sound asleep in a Boston hotel, resting for Thursday night’s game against the Bruins. The Bs belted the Buds as the AMHL Photographer and I cheered from our TV room.
The high-def TVs at the 99 Restaurant on Friday night offered customers sight but no sound. Bellied up to the bar and waiting for dinner, I watched ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption; toward the end of one segment, Tony Kornheiser waved a Canadian flag. Why? I knew that he isn’t Canadian, so I’d have to investigate this weekend.
On Saturday morning at Dunkin’ Donuts, while my wife read the sports section in The Boston Globe, I opened the paper’s “Sidekick” section to learn that Canada was assigned dishonorable mention in “Punch Lines” and that “This Day in History” indicated that Gordon Lightfoot, the iconoclastic singer whom the Maple Leafs named honorary captain in 1992, was born in 1938.
Back at home in Maynard, I hopped on the Internet to solve the mystery of Mr. Kornheiser’s gesticulation of the Maple Leaf. Pardon the Interruption is aptly named for Canadians: The show that airs on Canada’s TSN abruptly ends for viewers north of the 49th parallel—they’re transferred to TSN’s SportsCentre—while American viewers watch, if not hear, "The Big Finish" on ESPN.
Later on Saturday morning, I tuned in to ESPN 890 for the New England Hockey Journal Radio Show with Kevin Paul Dupont and Mick Colageo. After discussing Glen Murray’s goal- scoring drought, and then the induction of Mark Messier and Ron Francis to the Hall of Fame, Mick and Dupes bantered with the Toronto Star’s Damien Cox. What about the Leafs… How about Doug Armstrong losing his GM job in Dallas…What about the possibility of the Toronto Argonauts playing the New England Patriots?
“Woo!” I said when it was my turn to chime in. “That’s what I’ll say when Murray scores two goals in first period tonight.” I then told the guys they forgot to mention Al MacInnis in their Hall of Fame discussion. Murray and MacInnis, I said, are both from Nova Scotia. I signed off by telling them I’d call from Newfoundland next Saturday.
The AMHL Photographer and I leave on Thursday, so that doesn’t give me much time to update my iPod with a Gordon Lightfoot tune or two.
Monday, October 08, 2007
Hockey from the Couch
“It’s a lot of aggression. It’s a lot of blood. Can you tell who my favorite team is?” Lucifer says this to the young man, whose soul his parents had sold, as the Zamboni maims an indentured soul who failed to fulfill a commitment to the Prince of Darkness.
The Devils’ fan is a smooth-talking, well-dressed, bad boy on the Tuesday night sitcom Reaper. The show, whose set includes a Canadian Tire store in Joe Sakic’s hometown of Burnaby, BC, is not a hockey show per se but is proof that hockey is back, if not with a vengeance.
More substantiation: the commercials touting upcoming episodes of The Office, where the oft-inappropriate Michael is at the rink engaged in what may prove to be yet another hair-brained stunt to motivate his employees.
Thursday night’s programming on the national networks weren’t appealing, and the AMHL Photographer wondered if Center Ice would offer Comcast customers a free preview weekend of NHL action. Maple Leafs vs. Senators, Avalanche vs. Predators, Panthers vs. Rangers. Comcastic!
I watched bits of each game, my left ankle on ice because I had strained the left Achilles tendon in a freak play that same morning. (Skating hard for the boards, an opponent’s stick got tangled in my skates—completely unintentional—and then next thing I knew, I crashed feet-first into the boards. Two shifts into the game, I was done for the day and doubtful for next week’s game.)
Friday night, with my left ankle surrounded by an air splint and propped up on a couch pillow, I suffered no pain as I endured the Bruins’ performance against the Stars.
The good news is that although the ice was off-limits for me this past week weekend, the airwaves were not: The New England Hockey Journal Radio Show returned to ESPN 890 on Saturday afternoon (tune in next week from 11:00–1:00), and the Bruins redeemed themselves on Saturday night (they won’t play Satan’s favorite team until December 13th).
The Devils’ fan is a smooth-talking, well-dressed, bad boy on the Tuesday night sitcom Reaper. The show, whose set includes a Canadian Tire store in Joe Sakic’s hometown of Burnaby, BC, is not a hockey show per se but is proof that hockey is back, if not with a vengeance.
More substantiation: the commercials touting upcoming episodes of The Office, where the oft-inappropriate Michael is at the rink engaged in what may prove to be yet another hair-brained stunt to motivate his employees.
Thursday night’s programming on the national networks weren’t appealing, and the AMHL Photographer wondered if Center Ice would offer Comcast customers a free preview weekend of NHL action. Maple Leafs vs. Senators, Avalanche vs. Predators, Panthers vs. Rangers. Comcastic!
I watched bits of each game, my left ankle on ice because I had strained the left Achilles tendon in a freak play that same morning. (Skating hard for the boards, an opponent’s stick got tangled in my skates—completely unintentional—and then next thing I knew, I crashed feet-first into the boards. Two shifts into the game, I was done for the day and doubtful for next week’s game.)
Friday night, with my left ankle surrounded by an air splint and propped up on a couch pillow, I suffered no pain as I endured the Bruins’ performance against the Stars.
The good news is that although the ice was off-limits for me this past week weekend, the airwaves were not: The New England Hockey Journal Radio Show returned to ESPN 890 on Saturday afternoon (tune in next week from 11:00–1:00), and the Bruins redeemed themselves on Saturday night (they won’t play Satan’s favorite team until December 13th).
Friday, March 17, 2006
AMHL Tuesday: Excalibauer!
Leafs' goaltender John Saner reached for his goalie stick, ready to take it into battle, but it had been stolen by the enemy.
“He took my *&^%! stick!” growled Leafs’ goalie, as he spied his counterpart, the Flyers’ Brian Monahan, stepping onto Rink One.
The vengeful Saner grabbed Monahan’s weapon—still gleaming and leaning against the boards—and then strode toward Monahan, who prepared for the inevitable confrontation. Monahan held Saner’s CCM; Saner clutched Monahan’s Bauer.
John’s CCM is nothing special: your run-of-the mill, off-the-shelf, Martin Brodeur model. Brian’s tool is the stuff of legend. An original AMHL goalie, Brian is widely known for his unorthodox style of stopping pucks. He flashes left-hand leather, snaring pucks in his glove but wields his stick like a sword. Rather than keeping the stick’s blade perpendicular to the ice, Brian keeps the blade nearly a foot in front of him so that pucks tend to rebound into the corners or out of play behind him. And if you have the puck behind the net, Brian is likely to flick his mighty right wrist and swing his sword along the ice to poke the puck off your stick. This unconventional method prompted AMHL legend (now retired) Tom Tidman to dub Brian’s stick “Excalibur.”
Nonetheless, Saner flung Monahan’s legendary talisman toward the neutral zone, laying down the proverbial gauntlet. Monahan followed suit, sending Saner’s stick toward center ice, thus setting the stage for a classic duel between two long-time AMHL veterans, both of whom wear number 30 on their jerseys.
In the first period, the Flyers attacked first, but Saner squeezed into classic butterfly position, his stick covering the five-hole, to turn aside the Flyers. Monahan was a mere observant—until Alex Tee launched a rocket from the top of the circle to Monahan’s right. Excalibur glinted just before the puck bounced against Monahan’s blade and then out of harm’s way.
The Flyers mounted a counterattack that not even Martin Brodeur could have stopped. Down 0–1, the Leafs rushed back at Monahan. Excalibur glimmered weakly beneath the feeble arena lighting, and the vulcanized projectile bounced off the shaft of the stick— not toward the boards but back toward the crease. Rebound. Score!
And so the battle raged into the third period, the two goaltenders locked in an epic battle. Monahan’s Flyers leapt to a 4–1 lead, but Saner’s Leafs surged upon Monahan with such fierceness King Arthur himself had never witnessed. But had the celebrated fictitious king been at this Tuesday morning melee, he would knight Monahan. The proud warrior would surrender only two goals in the third period and win the game—and tie the Leafs for second place.
Next week’s stop in the Life of Brian: Monahan and the Flyers duel the Ducks!
“He took my *&^%! stick!” growled Leafs’ goalie, as he spied his counterpart, the Flyers’ Brian Monahan, stepping onto Rink One.
The vengeful Saner grabbed Monahan’s weapon—still gleaming and leaning against the boards—and then strode toward Monahan, who prepared for the inevitable confrontation. Monahan held Saner’s CCM; Saner clutched Monahan’s Bauer.
John’s CCM is nothing special: your run-of-the mill, off-the-shelf, Martin Brodeur model. Brian’s tool is the stuff of legend. An original AMHL goalie, Brian is widely known for his unorthodox style of stopping pucks. He flashes left-hand leather, snaring pucks in his glove but wields his stick like a sword. Rather than keeping the stick’s blade perpendicular to the ice, Brian keeps the blade nearly a foot in front of him so that pucks tend to rebound into the corners or out of play behind him. And if you have the puck behind the net, Brian is likely to flick his mighty right wrist and swing his sword along the ice to poke the puck off your stick. This unconventional method prompted AMHL legend (now retired) Tom Tidman to dub Brian’s stick “Excalibur.”
Nonetheless, Saner flung Monahan’s legendary talisman toward the neutral zone, laying down the proverbial gauntlet. Monahan followed suit, sending Saner’s stick toward center ice, thus setting the stage for a classic duel between two long-time AMHL veterans, both of whom wear number 30 on their jerseys.
In the first period, the Flyers attacked first, but Saner squeezed into classic butterfly position, his stick covering the five-hole, to turn aside the Flyers. Monahan was a mere observant—until Alex Tee launched a rocket from the top of the circle to Monahan’s right. Excalibur glinted just before the puck bounced against Monahan’s blade and then out of harm’s way.
The Flyers mounted a counterattack that not even Martin Brodeur could have stopped. Down 0–1, the Leafs rushed back at Monahan. Excalibur glimmered weakly beneath the feeble arena lighting, and the vulcanized projectile bounced off the shaft of the stick— not toward the boards but back toward the crease. Rebound. Score!
And so the battle raged into the third period, the two goaltenders locked in an epic battle. Monahan’s Flyers leapt to a 4–1 lead, but Saner’s Leafs surged upon Monahan with such fierceness King Arthur himself had never witnessed. But had the celebrated fictitious king been at this Tuesday morning melee, he would knight Monahan. The proud warrior would surrender only two goals in the third period and win the game—and tie the Leafs for second place.
Next week’s stop in the Life of Brian: Monahan and the Flyers duel the Ducks!
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