Results from 4th Annual #25 Memorial Tournament Expecting a return of the triple digit heat that hit the 2nd annual tournament, the only fire came on the court. The court and spectator areas where lined with fans in addition to plenty of ice cold water to keep everyone cool. So to the business of hockey came some new teams and a couple surprises. The two biggest surprises came not from surprising teams but rather the efforts they put forth. Out of a very good group, came the Cougars. Young and full of enthusiasm, they did that little extra it took to get past teams including 2005 Champion Laces Out and 2006 Runner-up Scrappers. As a team, they performed well from defenseman Nick Brackett to outstanding performance by goalie Ross Worby. Some scores may have gotten close but these two kept them in every game. The biggest achievement came from offensive minded rear-guard Shaun Blaney who exhibited terrific puck control throughout the tournament. But this scoring defenseman put on a show in the semifinal against KYFA which included one blocked shot into what was an empty net. This performance propelled the Cougars into 2008 championship game. Overall, the Delicutters were putting up a similar performance as they had in previous years. They were playing well but going into the quarterfinal game against 2007 champion Team Greez, players would need to step it up. For whatever reason, the crowd knew to watch this game. For an early Sunday morning, there was definitely an increased amount of attention. The Delicutters came out to their game plan. They stuck with the Greez’s forwards and put a couple in the net for a small lead. The second half was all about weathering the storm. The Greez really turned it on but Delicutter goalie Steve Sousa was out his mind! There is no better way of putting it on paper other than if you didn’t see it; you missed some of the most acrobatically amazing and even downright lucky saves. The Delicutters were inching closer to an upset and a date in the Semis. However, in the later part of the game the Greez were able to tie it up and eventually get the game winner. Whatever happened, the Delicutters performance made the weekend and although it was a loss in the books, it was one of those sports moments that made it more than what is displayed on the scoreboard. Maybe one could call the 2008 tournament an off year. After all, Laces Out, Scrappers, Kingfish who have never missed a playoff all sat watching on Sunday. Expectations fell short on a Vipers team and a very good Greez squad. Revere Squad predictably rolled through and almost bullied their way past everyone to a long awaiting Championship. Perhaps sometimes things fall a bit short but it is the few bright spots in this years tournament that make it continue to be what it is. The need to be on your game and work as a team and when given the opportunity to play at a higher level, you show the ability to do so. In sports, the outcome often doesn’t tell the whole story and I am sure the members of the Cougars and Delicutters walked away with a lot more memories than a single score sheet could provide.

Tournament Leader Board

Congratulations again to the champions and runners up! Champions  - Revere Squad - Joe Russo, Jerry Scoppettuoulo, Tony Silvestri, Mike O'Reilly, Sean Connelly and Steven Mitchell 2nd Place – Cougars - Nick Brackett, Ross Worby, Shaun Blaney, Mike Foster, Bernie Gately, Christian Carol 3rd Place – Team Greez - Mike McPherson, Jason Rizzo, Mike Conley, Steve Fabiano, Tommy Vadala, Brian Fitzpatrick and the Greezer Louie Sorentino