GARDNER – This time of year, hockey champions of all sizes and ages are crowned, from Mites to Squirts to Pee Wees to Bantams.
Even if you are over 50 years old.
At Gardner Veterans Arena, from the first Monday night game in October to the last Monday night game on April 1st, ATM Plus Red Wings' goal is to win the Jill Richard Sr. Men's Hockey League's coveted 2023 – was to win the 24 year championship.
And after 25 weeks of play, the Wings didn't let April Fool's Day fool them. They defeated the Canadiens 4-1 in a heated final game, which ended with a jubilant celebration on the ice by the players gathered around Stanley. – A cup-shaped trophy sits on the center ice as Queen's “We are the Champions” plays from the arena's sound system.
Like kids in youth hockey or high schoolers who won district and state titles, these veterans at Veterans Arena embraced the giddy, dancing sensation.
Gilles Richard himself attended the trophy ceremony. Five years ago, the league was named in recognition of his leadership, organizational skills and decades of dedication.
“Hockey is a lot of fun. And the older you get, the more you want to play,” said Richard, 75, who currently skates in the 60-and-over league at Veterans Arena.
Red Wings come from behind to win
The Canadiens took a 1-0 lead in the first period with an unassisted goal by Doug Cormier. However, the Red Wings tied the game in the second period with a goal from Paul Steadman off an assist from Randy Comeau.
The Wings then scored three unanswered goals in the final period to decide the game, with goals from Mike Littrell, Jay Andrews and Comeau, and assists from Bill Vautour and Steadman.
“We were in last place in November and then we just kept moving up,” Wings defenseman Roy Greenwood, 64, said after the game to cheers in the locker room. “We won every game in the round-robin playoffs, and we won the semifinals and finals. We just came together as a team and had a blast. This league is a lot of fun and we all love it.”
At 70 years old, Wayne Ron is still able to keep up with the younger skaters and says, “I've been playing hockey for 50 years, and it still feels good to win.'' There are a lot of great players in this league, but every year… I'll be on a different team.”
Forward Matt LeClerc knew his team would fight back. He added: “We've been back for games all year, especially the last seven or so games. We all really look forward to every Monday night here at the rink.”
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Bob Nadalin, a 77-year-old longtime player from Shrewsbury who is on the Red Wings' roster, missed the championship game due to injury, but still enjoyed the celebration and said: Told. 2007.
“I love this game and this is the best league. Great players, no knuckleheads,” said Rob Ciunc, 62, of Boylston, who had 10 goals and 19 assists on the season. They re-draft every year.” ”
Sitting across from Siunci and smiling was Dave Oinonen, 54, a winning goaltender from Winchendon who has played in the men's hockey league for more than 30 years. “We just kept it close in the first period and fought back like we have all year,” he said.
When asked what was the most difficult thing about being a goalkeeper, Oinonen replied with a laugh. Oh, and purchasing equipment. It is high. “
old uniform
A few seasons ago, the league, which bans slapshots and checks, began wearing retro pro hockey jerseys with the names of Hall of Famers on the back, rather than the names of individual players in the league. We decided to pay tribute to the hockey team.
So in the championship game, old legends like Guy LaFleur, Terry Sawchuk, Ken Dryden, Brendan Shanahan, Ted Lindsay and Howard Morenz returned to the ice, and their names intrigued me. Spectators Googled it on their phones. Morenz, who played on three Stanley Cup championship teams with the Canadiens, died in 1937 at the age of 34.
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League top scorer
Dan Comeau of the Canadiens, who wears the No. 10 jersey of the late great LaFleur, became Richard League's top scorer with 10 goals and 13 assists for 27 points during the season. Carlton Grady of the Blackhawks (14-13-27) was just one point behind, followed by Randy Frost of the Maple Leafs (7-19-26).
Dennis Gagne of the Maple Leafs led the way with 21 goals, followed by Jeff LaDue of the Whalers with 17 and Andrews of the Red Wings with 14.
