Results from 3rd Annual #25 Memorial Tournament The 2007 and 3rd annual #25 Memorial Tournament has come and gone with nice success.  We had 16 teams for the 3rd straight year and an assortment of auction and raffle prizes ranging from concert, Red Sox and Celtics tickets to autographed memorabilia from Bobby Orr, Ray Bourque and Jim Craig.  We welcomed some new players and a new team that won it all, Team Greez.  Congratulations to Tommy Vadala, Jason Rizzo, Mike Conley, Steve Fabiano, Mike McPherson and their goalie simply AK.  No team had an answer for their offense the first day and AK found his groove during the playoffs.  We had more players from the north shore’s EMRHL and even a couple from out of state including Connecticut and New York.  During down times, players tested their slapshot speed and accuracy skills as well as got a few wiffleball games in.  The 99 Restaurant and Bar along with Shaw’s Supermarkets fed our hungry players throughout Saturday.  Wings over Brookline had people grabbing for seconds and thirds during the beautiful day on Sunday.  We were fortunate to have very nice weather and even as games got hot, there was plenty of Aquafina and Gatorade for the players.  In the end, we were able to raise around $4500 for charity.  This was short of our goal but still a successful year.

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Another Rivalry Emerges Very similar to a Boston-New York rivalry from a few years ago, these two teams seem destined to meet.  In 2005, Laces Out and Kingfish met for the very first game in #25 tournament history.  It took them only a day to meet up again in the semifinals.  Both results were the same 7 for Laces Out and 6 for Kingfish.  Laces Out went on to win the inaugural tournament. In 2007, these two teams were grouped up again.  Both teams going into the game with 2 wins, no losses and playoffs already assured, but there still was much to gain.  KYFA was running away with group B and a clear obstacle for any team from group A.  The loser would most likely have to face them.  A hard fought and fast game, Laces Out jumped into a lead and Kingfish were forced to rally.  Laces Out up 9-7, Kingfish turned the ball over at center ice in the middle of a defensive change.  A race to the net, Laces Out captain Bob Woods tried playing Kingfish Defenseman Bo Stewart off the play but a 6’4” Stewart was able to get his stick on the ball preventing a shot and forcing a whistle.  This play loomed large and Kingfish were able to get an 8th goal and play the last minute for a tie.  Kingfish pulled their goalie and had a bouncing ball right in front of the net but were unable to get a stick on anything past Laces Out goalie Mike Killory.  Laces Out won the group with a 9 to 8 victory. Laces Out controlled The 25s in their quarterfinal match but the game between KYFA and Kingfish was much different.  A KYFA early jump was stifled in the second half by a Kingfish defense that was diving and blocking passes and shots all over their zone.  A second half shutout of KYFA and a Kingfish rally forced overtime with the score 4 to 4. In just under 5 seconds from the opening faceoff, Kingfish forward Keith Karpowich got the ball into KYFA territory and was able to sneak a backhand past the KYFA goalie for the win.  It was Laces Out and Kingfish once again in the semifinal. Laces Out wasted no time in putting their potent offense to work.  A few quick goals and things were looking bad for the Kingfish.  As they had done throughout the tournament, Kingfish got behind early but managed to climb back into the game.  After tying it, they went up one goal at halftime making the score 5-4.  The second half maintained the same trend of these two clubs.  Laces Out put early pressure on and Kingfish could only weather the storm.  What was a halftime lead for the Kingfish turned into a late game two-goal deficit.  Goals from Keith Karpowich brought it to one and Jeff Petrin tied it at 8-8.  The fast back and forth play didn’t result in any regulation goals.  Once again, this matchup would be a one goal game; this would be settled in overtime.   Unlike earlier starts, Kingfish came out strong.  They put a couple shots on net without conceding much.  Under two minutes into overtime, a center court turnover and collision was the one chance Laces Out needed and they put an easy one in on the two on none break to win 9-8.  Laces Out got to play for a second championship and once again Kingifsh played for 3rd place.  When these two teams meet again, you are in for a back and forth tug of war where each mistake is costly.  Some things we’ve seen from these games has been the ability of the Kingfish to maintain composure and stay in games.  Laces Out goalie Mike Killory faces about 25 Kingfish shots per game and even with a few by him, he manages to make the saves that make the difference.  These two clubs with good defenses, explosive offenses and overall smart play have earned each others respect and are good examples of what twenty-five hockey is all about.

Playoff Scenario Mayhem Group D play matched the speed and intensity of the play in Group A but took the level of tension to a new height.  These teams were not giving an inch to each other.  In round play, Team Greez made every other team’s mistake cost and took of few of their own resulting in a 2 win record going into the 3rd set of games.  Revere Squad and Cougars had fought a tough battle earlier in the day to tie 7 to 7.  Cougars then went on to tie group surprise Blue Collar Hockey 5 to 5.  The standings into the last set of games were Team Greez 4 points, Cougars 2 points, Blue Collar Hockey 1 point with -3 Goal Differential and Revere Squad with 1 point and -10 GD.             Cougars had their destiny in their hands but lost to Team Greez as others did and made a huge error at the end giving up an easy goal to make the final score 7 to 4 in favor of Team Greez.  This complicated matters and created more scenarios than can be written here.  Team Greez had advanced and there was room for only one of the three remaining teams.  A win by either Revere Squad or Blue Collar Hockey would have launched their respective team into the playoffs.  A tie meant much more.  For Revere Squad, it was win or go home.  Blue Collar could afford a tie allowing up to 5 goals.  A 5 to 5 tie would mean the final tiebreaker in the #25 Tournament rules which is a best of 3 penalty shots.  The team members of the Cougars could only sit there and watch and hope for a tie of 6 or more goals.              Revere Squad came out determined and ready to win by jumping out to a 4 to 0 lead.  Blue Collar was not going home like that and had one then two uninspiring goals but goals nonetheless.  It was the play of Blue Collar goalie Kevin Pacheco and forward Bobby Farrell that really changed the game.  Pacheco was nothing short of amazing stopping point blank shots and twisting his body to get just enough piece of any shot to keep it at 4 goals.  Farrell fought through tough play and a defense focused on him to get the offense going.  Blue collar tied the game 4 to 4 only to go down 5 to 4 about a minute or so later by a Sean Connelly goal.  Blue Collar answered right back and Farrell scored, tying the game 5 to 5 with just about 5:30 remaining. In the next minutes, the tension was palpable.  There were only the 3 teams and 7 tournament workers there to witness one of the greatest moments in #25 Tournament history and feelings you can’t buy.  Every scoring chance from here was greeted by oohs and ahhs.  The ball would just go near the net and the few people were on their feet stiffening up.  For over two minutes, there was nothing but amazing hockey.  Sean Connelly broke the tension with not just one but two goals to put Revere Squad up 7 to 5.  Under a minute left, it looked bleak for Cougars and Blue Collar.  Blue Collar was persistent and never gave up.  However, some of the Cougars did and began to grab their gear and walk out.  With just about 20 seconds left, Blue Collar manages a goal and rushes back to the line for the face-off.  The ball dropped at 4 seconds, Rob Downie put it pass Sean Connelly and snapped a wrister at the legs of the Revere Squad goalie who didn’t even watch it go right between his legs and into the back of the net as time expired.  A roar from the bleachers soars as the teams on the rink shake hands and soon after find out their result which was elimination for both Revere Squad and Blue Collar Hockey.  Cougars made use of their second life and got their first 2007 win in the quarterfinals against the Delicutters.

Outstanding Performances of the Tournament Kevin Pacheco and Bobby Farrell, Goalie and Forward for Blue Collar Hockey versus Revere Squad Bill Renault, Jeff Petrin and Bo Stewart, Goalie and Defense for Kingfish vs KYFA - Shutting out KYFA for 2nd half and overtime in Quarterfinals John Wright, Goalie from KYFA – Registered only 2007 shutout and never gave up more than 5 goals in a tournament that averages a 6.23 Goals Against Bobby Calautti, Ray Khan, Dan Yanotchko, Dan Armstrong and Rick Melanson, members of the Beasts – 5 individuals who gelled together although the stamina demands got the better of them Jim Bieren (Chiefs) and Joe Russo(Revere Squad) – Jim registered a 101mph on the slapshot challenge with Joe not far behind with 99mph

Tournament Leader Board Team Name 2007 Goals 2007 Assists 2007 Points Team Greez Mike McPherson 15 3 18 Team Greez Jason Rizzo 10 7 17 Delicutters Chuck Capone 12 4 16 Laces Out Dana Taylor 10 4 14 KYFA Mario Melo 6 7 13 Laces Out Mike Dedranti 6 6 12 Scrappers Rich Blanchette 9 3 12 Beasts Bobby Calautti 5 6 11 Chiefs Jim Bieren 6 5 11 Kingfish Eloi Teixeira 10 1 11 Muskrats Scott Sacchetti 8 3 11 Scrappers Jim Salkins 5 6 11   Team P Name 2007 Wins 2007 SV 2007 Shots 2007 SV% 2007 GA 2007 GAA KYFA G John Wright 3 32 39 82.1% 7 2.33 Scrappers G Russell Kuhl 2 42 54 77.8% 12 4.00 The 25s G Syd Saloman 2 33 43 76.7% 10 3.33 Muskrats G Dave Poole 1 45 60 75.0% 15 5.00 Blitzkrieg G Matt Anctil   37 50 74.0% 13 4.33 Kingfish G Bill Renault 2 48 65 73.8% 17 5.67 Beasts G Rick Melanson 1 58 79 73.4% 21 7.00

Thank you to all those that made the 2007 tournament work from the beginning to the end.  Our referees Ed Scull, Justin Quintin, Dan Gallotto and Steve Mitchell did an outstanding job and I received a lot of compliments.  Eric O’Dea and Danny Olson not only took stats and announced the games but kept everything running on time.  Their work with the tournament stats was quite impressive.  The proof is in the product with our photographer Bryan Panhorst who once again created lasting memories for us all.  We also have to thank Phyllis Stewart, Kate Stewart, Jesse Silva, Joe Russo, Eloi Teixeira, Scott Miller, Bill Renault, Keith Karpowich, Jonny Herald, Ray Khan and Kevin Kiernan for their help in setting and striking the tournament activities.

Congratulations again to the champions and runners up! Champions  - Team Greez - Mike McPherson, Jason Rizzo, Mike Conley, Steve Fabiano, Tommy Vadala, Alek Kanevsky and the Greezer Louie Sorentino 2nd Place – Laces Out - Dana Taylor, Matt Ford, Mike Dedranti, Bob Woods, Mike Murphy and Mike Killory 3rd Place – Cougars - Steve Corda, Shaun Blaney, Mike Foster, Parker Gately, Craig Worby, Nick Brackett and Steven Mitchell