Written by Lake Placid 2022: Little did I know when I awoke on another beautiful morning in Lake Placid that this Saturday would be about rocking the boat. I will get to the ‘rocking the boat’ phrase as we go. Breakfast in the hotel was everything it needed to be. And I wanted to spend some time in the USA Hockey Store before the 2010 Flames played their final round-robin game against undefeated Braintree.
Lake Placid 2022 – Saturday’s schedule had us playing just one game. We filled the rest of the day with fun and excitement, no problem at all.
Saturday, November 5, 2022 – Rocking the boat:
I had made a deal with myself that I would go back to the USA Hockey Store on Main Street, and make a decision on what 1980 Team USA themed apparel I wanted to take home with me. I was aware that the little TV in the corner might be playing the USA vs. USSR game from February, 1980. It was. And I ended up watching the entire third period, again. Tears formed in the corners of my eyes, again. The game, the miracle, on the world stage in the ultimate small Olympic Village setting that was Lake Placid, NY in February, 1980. Perfect. This could not have been orchestrated by any other than The Almighty.
Finally, I did make a purchase at the USA Hockey Store. While I was there I listened to stories being told by total strangers. These were hockey stories. USA Hockey stories in fact. One gentleman had grown up with Jim Craig and he knew all about the Craig family, youth hockey from that era, and much more. It was pretty neat to listen to.
I also listened to a tall, blonde boy of about 13 years old, accurately answer questions and correct outlandish statements of several other kids who clearly only had a slim idea of what The Miracle on Ice truly was. I caught the boy’s eye, and tipped my new ‘Miracle On Ice’ hat to him in appreciation of his knowledge of the events that unfolded some 30 years before he was even born.
This was the view I had on Saturday morning as I walked out of the hotel toward Main Street. What a place. © 1inawesomewonder 2022.
After my version of shopping on Main Street, I returned to our room and cooled down a little bit. Believe it or not, it was 70+ degrees in Lake Placid on that Saturday. Plus that hill back to the hotel seemed to grow as the week went on.
Then, it was time to get down to the Olympic Center for the 2010 Flames game against Braintree. I won’t get into the particulars of the numerous opportunities that Braintree team representatives had to show class, grace, and sportsmanship, all of which they totally obliterated over the weekend. Let’s just say, that I wasn’t looking forward to our team playing against them, and not because they are good team.
This view was from outside the 1980 Rink right before game time. I am so glad I got to go to Lake Placid, NY. The views in all directions were amazing! The setting was wonderful. The tournament was so well done. We got to watch our kids play hockey, having the times of their lives. We are so very blessed. © 1inawesomewonder 2022.
The 2010 Flames scored first when Teddy Beal slid the puck between the goaltenders pads after being set up by Cooper Lazzaro. The Flames led, 1-0. The lead didn’t last long. Braintree scored a power play goal to tie the game, 1-1 a couple of minutes later. The 2010 Flames probably wouldn’t beat that Braintree ‘town’ team more than once out of ten times, but they made their chances much more difficult by taking 11 penalties in the game. Braintree scored 4 power play goals and went on to win, 6-1. During 5-on-5 play the Flames were much better matched. Braintree ended with 25 shots to the Flames 19.
It looked to me like the 2010 Flames weren’t able to skate player for player with Braintree’s speed and structural execution and the physical side of their game came out. Physical as in trailing, reaching, hanging on, and committing penalties as a result. The sons of ‘B’ had a good power play and once they got one PPG, they usually only needed one face-off win in the O-zone to get another power play goal. All in all, it was a great learning experience for our team, even if they were rocking the boat just a bit on the ice.
What was awesome about the game, was the fact that the Flames were playing in the 1980 Rink. It was Herb Brooks Arena, where so many unforgettable moments played out back in 1980 for the USA Olympic Hockey Team. I found myself looking around the arena throughout the game. I checked out the rafters, the lights, the banners hanging above the ice, and the names and uniform numbers of the 1980 US Hockey team roster that are displayed in a ring that encircles the entire seating area.
When we finished rocking The Boat to climb the hill back to our hotel, I stopped to take this picture looking down Main Street. It just never got old looking around at scenes like these in so many directions. © 1inawesomewonder 2022.
After the game which finished the round robin part of the schedule for the 2010 Flames, we figured we would be playing in the Gold Medal game against Braintree on Sunday morning. There were three teams that finished 2-1 in round robin play. Haverhill / Pentucket we hadn’t played but we did edge them in goal differential by one goal. The NorthStars were 2-1 also, but we had beat them head-to-head, so naturally that would put us ahead of them.
We learned a couple of hours later, while several of us were literally rocking the boat at “The Boat Tasting Room” across the street from the arena, that head-to-head didn’t factor into the seeding decision. The 2010 Flames were dropped to 3rd place and would play Sunday morning for the Bronze Medal against Haverhill / Pentucket. Honestly, I didn’t mind at all, as it gave our team a chance to play another good team that they hadn’t played before. Braintree went on to win the Gold Medal game, 7-1 over the NorthStars.
We had a blast at The Boat Tasting Room with several other Flames friends from our team and our Flames #1 team. The 2010 Flames of which I write, are the #2 team. In recent years, eight different players from our 2010 Flames #2 team have played up to the #1 team, including four players from last year’s team. So we were enjoying life among many friends on a gorgeous afternoon in beautiful Lake Placid, NY, across the street from the most memorable arena in USA Hockey history.
The game didn’t go the way that the 2010 Flames would have liked, but it started out pretty cool. © 1inawesomewonder 2022.
Saturday night the team had an 8:30pm curfew so the team could rest up for a 5:45am arrival at the rink. They had to play the Bronze Medal game on Sunday morning. As the night wound down, rather quietly, I spent the evening watching some LSU-Alabama football and watching our son play hockey for Ohio University on YouTube. The Tigers upset Alabama (Geaux Tigers!), and Ohio won their second straight, 6-5 game of the weekend. Another great day in Lake Placid, NY.
Saturday, November 5, 2022. 1980 Rink Herb Brooks Arena – Lake Placid. 12:30 PM.
2010 Manchester Flames – 01 – 00 – 00 = 01
Braintree – 01 – 03 – 02 = 06
2010 Flames goals in order:
1) Teddy Beal slipped a shot through the five-hole after getting to the front of the net. The goal was nicely set up by Cooper Lazzaro’s rush and dish.
Flames 1 – Braintree 6 – Game 3 – Lake Placid 2022
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- “Hustle Hawkes” is a good player to watch if you want to see what skating hard looks like.
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- Will makes the save on a point blank shot. One of several break-ins that Braintree had in the game.
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- The battle for the rebound ensues and the puck slides over the line. The ref got it right, unfortunately for the Flames.
Thank you Flames players of all ages and teams for the support.
I love these.
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- Goalie 101 breaking it down mentally on the fly. Get squared to the shot. Stay calm and don’t get mad at your team for a breakaway bid allowed.
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- At least don’t get mad now. Okay, make the glove save on the point blank shot. See the defense got back eventually. Stay calm, remember Rule #1.
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- Rule #1: Glove save: complete. Glove save above average: Check. Freeze the glove save: Hold it. Should I still hold it? Check. Holding it. That’s textbook.
This is the Flames goal as seen from behind the net in one of the Flames cheering sections. Thank you Shannon. (Photo Credit: Shots by Shannon)
You can catch up, and follow along on all things 2010 Flames in the following places.
You can find more 2010 Flames material in these types of articles, right here.
Then there is the team web page 2010 Manchester Flames.
The thoughts and opinions expressed here are those of the individual contributors, mostly mine, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the schools, coaches, players, or characters listed in any of these blog posts. Or, maybe they do, but you would have to ask them directly.
Either way, “It’s a great day for hockey” ~ the late “Badger” Bob Johnson.