AMHL Wednesday Championship: Wicked Good

Editor’s note: Thanks to rinkside reporter, Iron Butterfly fan, and Shark forward Terry “the Ear” Loebs for filing this report—complete with a wicked Baaston accent.

I owe him a coffee-flavored beeah or a beeah-flavored coffee (and a donut).

August 27, 2008
Rink One

Shaaks vs. Habs

Sharks swimming right to left across your mind’s ears…

Thanks to the acrobatic goaltending of Kate Fallon, who turned aside shots from (in degree of difficulty order) Anastas, Donahue, Corke, Mandarano and Fox, the Shaaks managed to open a 2–0 lead. The first maaker for the Shaaks came after Shark Mike Tavis dove headlong towards the boards to keep the puck in the zone. After righting himself, he kicked the puck to Bob “Postal Tape Boy” Kilkenny, who then dished smaatly to Terry “I Can Ear You” Loebs. Loebs wound-up the windmill center slot, closed his eyes tight, and made contact with the biscuit, which found its way through a maze of players and the fully-inflated (Garth Snow signature model) pads of goaltender Mitch Weiss. However, it would take much more than a lucky goal like to this to deflate the Habs’ spirit (or Weiss’s pads).

Seven minutes and several scintillating flashes of leather (by Fallon and Weiss) later, Canada-born Marc (“Maak the Knife”) Vallee ginsu’d his way through the neutral zone with two Habs defenders clinging to his back. To no avail—Maak managed a one-armed roof job over a sprawling Weiss. 2–0 Shaaks.

Now in the second period, the Habs were pissed now: Not only had the Shaaks managed to take a 2–0 lead halfway through the match, but the fact that they did so without any assistance from Mike “Show No” Moore—a no-show for this championship contest—was especially grating on the collective psyche of le bleu, blanc et rouge.

As Weiss nailed the door shut with save after sprawl, the Habs soon got busy. Paul Anastas weaved his way from end-to-end, leaving five Shaak jocks in his wake and then deposited the disc in the top right corner. The Habs followed that tally with a maaker from Tim Donahue from in-close, and then a gorgeous re-direction of a Donahue pass by Bill Mandarano cutting across the slot in front of Shaaks goaltender Fallon. 3–2 Habs.

The Shaaks, known for their thick skin, wicked shaap teeth and no Moore, were still down but not out as third period play began. Numerous chances were registered by the tenacious teal—including from Postal Tape Boy, "Grinder" Greg Longtine, Kevin "Well Done" Weldon, and Jamal “In a Gadda” Davita—but Weiss was there to deny every opportunity. Larry "Downtown" Brown had a blast from the point that clanged the crossbar. With the Shaaks threatening and within whiskers of knotting the score—and Kate Fallon standing on her head stopping multiple odd–man rushes—the Habs decided it was time to interrupt the fishes’ mounting mojo by calling for a timeout with 5:30 to go before the next drop of the puck, deep in the Habs’ zone.

On the ensuing draw, the Shaaks' Postal Tape Boy won the draw back to Larry Brown (presumably, this was not part of the plan the Habs concocted). Downtown fired a wicked haaad shot that Weiss denied with his left leg pad, but Loebs was there to pick up the trash and tie the score 3–3 with just under five minutes to play. The timeout strategy worked swiftly and effectively—albeit, for the fish.

The Shaaks countered several Hab attacks over the course of the game’s final minutes, and riding the euphoria of another Fallon stop, they lumbered down to the Habs’ end (although Longtine raced there). Tavis to Vallee to Weldon to Longtine, back to Tavis, and then after a few hacks, whiffs and saves in the crease, Chuck “a Puck” Livoli found an opening and fired an absolute laser beam through the back of the net (that's how Livoli would describe it, anyway).to put the Shaaks up for good, 4–3.

Following the game, Livoli remaaaked, “We had one more goal than they did at the end of three periods, so we won. By winning the final game of the play-offs, we are the champs. As champs, we get beer to go, eh?”

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.

AMHL Wednesday Championship: "Should I Stay or Should I Go"

Wednesday May 7, 2008

“Should I Stay or Should I Go?”

“I forgot my shin pads and had to go home to get them,” said Shark forward Richie Perkins after the first period.

Perkie didn’t miss any goals because his Sharks couldn’t beat Sabre netminder Steve Scansaroli, and the Black (and Pink) Swordsmen couldn’t put the puck past Shark backstop and 2010 Olympic hopeful (more on that in a future posting) Kate Fallon.

Now, three minutes into the second period, the Sabres—skating right to left across your streaming imagination—have finally figured out Fallon’s flaw: She can’t clone herself. Randy “Pop the” Corke knocks home a rebound (assists from son Jonathon and Scott Jacobsen). 1–0 Sabres.

A minute later, though, Fallon flops on her side, stacking the pads to thwart a shot from Paul Anastas.

Not to be out-done, Scans flashes some left-handed leather, robbing Dalton Gustafson.

But Scansaroli can’t stop Dave Mello. Nobody can. Mello, a super lawyer and a budding superstar even at his advanced age, finds uncontested space in the slot. With 4:11 left in the second period, the crafty veteran negotiates the puck inside the post, low stick side. 1–1.

With :27 remaining in the second, Rich Yamartino shoots on Scans, and then Gustafson roofs the rebound to give the Sharks a 2–1 lead.

In the third minute of the third period, Anastas gets an assist from fan favorite Steve “Whoa Nellie” Antonelli (who loves e-mail from his fans, by the way) and ties the game with his twentieth goal of the season.

The game is opening up, and Scans is tiring. The puck is about halfway between him and Iberville’s (Quebec) enfant chéri, Chris Garrison.

“Should I Stay or Should I Go?” Scansaroli wonders.

Scans stays in his crease. Garrison, whose soaring statistics—37G, 22A—have endeared him to les Québécois, guides the puck past the bushed backstop. The Sharks—and their three fans on hand this morning and countless dozens listening on CBC Radio—enjoy a 3–2 lead!

But this is the AMHL. Goals galore every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. And with 13:45 remaining, the Sabres figure they have plenty of time to score at least one goal, at least get this game to OT.

Kate Fallon is ready. And so are her teammates. Mello dives head first to break up one play. And when Fallon isn’t stopping pucks herself, she’s watching her teammates attack “’Roli the Goalie.”

Tired as he is, Scans keeps his team in the game with several big saves, and the score is still 3–2 Sharks with :55 on the clock.

“Time out!” yell the Sabres.

Scans stays on the bench and watches time tick away. It has been a great season…the 2.50GAA, the shutout, the donuts he ignored…but will this campaign end in defeat?

His teammate Paul d’Entremont, whose twenty-four goals led all Sabres, controls the puck inside the opponent’s blue line. He winds up as the final seconds bleed from the clock…he shoots…it’s blocked. It’s over.

“Should I Stay or Should I Go?” you may ask yourself.

Stay…for the Three Stars, sponsored by the Clash, as voted upon by the media:

3. Steve Scansaroli
2. Chris Garrison
1. Kate Fallon

Honorable mention:

Fathers and sons who play for the same team
The American Intellectual Property Law Association
The Olympic spirit

AMHL Thursday: Obeying Orders

Thursday February 21, 2008

"No talking to the media," Dave "Mr. Hockey" Losier tells us after our 7–4 victory over the Bruins.

Our captain doesn’t want our egos to inflate as we tell the hockey world about the Avalanche’s 6–1–1 record. With five games remaining in the regular season, we lead the Panthers by three points; Losier doesn’t want us to get too cocky. He doesn’t want to read about us in the paper.

“Too late,” I reply.

I spoke with a legitimate member of the media last week but not about the Avalanche per se. Melissa Reiner interviewed me and two other AMHlers—Stow’s Bobby Kilkenny and Paul Anastas—for The Stow Independent’s piece about our league.

Losier orders me to post Reiner’s story. When Mr. Hockey issues a command, I obey. Even if he contradicts himself.

So here's the text (with permission from The Stow Independent).

February 20, 2008
By Melissa Reiner

It’s 5:51 a.m. on Tuesday and Bob Kilkenny’s alarm clock is sounding. He’s been awake for awhile, thinking about the cup of joe he’ll enjoy after an early-morning workout at Valley Sports in Concord. It’s not that the coffee is that good. Actually, it’s average at best. But it’s the hockey that keeps him coming back.

Twice a week Kilkenny arrives at the rink just after six o’clock – sometimes still in his pajamas – and by 6:30, he and about a dozen others take to the ice for a friendly game of five-on-five. Members of the A.M. (as in early-morning) Hockey League, they’re part of a growing number of local hockey groupies who are willing to gather in the wee hours of the morning – and night – to play a sport they’re as addicted to as that daily jolt of caffeine.

“We’re old men… we never get primo ice time,” laughed Kilkenny, 41, one of several Stow players in the 18-and-over adult league. “The alternative is to play at 11 o’clock at night. But then again, I would do just about anything to play hockey.”

He’s not alone. The AMHL, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month, has enough players – women included – to fill 12 teams that play on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings throughout the year. (Plans for a Friday session are currently in the works.) Fairness in the league is paramount: Trades are allowed if a team is unfairly stacked with talent, and all teams make the playoffs. The champion is awarded the aptly-named “Koffey Cup” trophy.

Kilkenny, who laced up his first pair of blades as a five-year-old growing up in Maynard, skates Tuesdays and Wednesdays before heading to his day job straight from the rink. “Most guys bring their work clothes to the locker room and shower there,” he said. “We do it to get out, get some exercise and to have fun.”

But mostly they do it for the coffee, crullers and conversation that have become a morning ritual after every game. “The coffee is pretty horrible,” said Kilkenny, “but all week long I look forward to it.”

Jim Dwyer of Maynard plays every Thursday and carpools to work with his goalie. He looks forward to his post-game walnut crunch and chocolate frosted donuts almost as much as donning his Avalanche jersey each week. “I think about other things, but hockey and donuts are never far from my mind,” he said.

Dwyer, formerly of Stow, is so passionate about amateur hockey that he’s currently penning a book about his experiences. “AMHL Glory: A Passion for Morning Hockey (and Donuts)” is nearly complete and awaiting publication. “It started out being about the league,” said Dwyer, 44, “but the more I started writing, it turned into my hockey memoir.”

In the book, Dwyer reminisces about everything from lacing up his first pair of skates to bonding over Rangers’ games with his father. He says hockey is enmeshed in the culture of New England. “There are a lot of knowledgeable hockey people here,” he said, “partly because of (former Boston Bruins’ defenseman) Bobby Orr. For a lot of people, he was their favorite player growing up.”

Stow resident Paul Anastas still bleeds black and gold. “I think every kid in New England played street hockey and watched the Bruins growing up,” said Anastas, 44, who moonlights for the Wednesday morning Sabres in the AMHL.

A late-bloomer by hockey standards, Anastas was a wrestler who didn’t pick up a stick until age 26. “For me, one of the reasons I play is the camaraderie and the bond that the guys share,” he said. “But there’s also something special about the game. It’s unlike any sport I’ve ever played.”

Anastas has helped organized the first all-Stow team to participate in this spring’s Chowder Cup Adult Hockey Tournament April 23-27th in Marlboro. Their moniker? The aptly-named Stow Brewins.

Now, can somebody pass the butternut crunch donuts, please?