January 01, 2023 – 2022 Winter Classic – Back To Back:
After defeating last year’s Winter Classic Runner-Up, Presque Isle, Maine on New Year’s Eve, the Flames earned a spot in the 2022 Winter Classic Championship Game and a chance to win this tournament in back to back years. It would take extra time to decide the winner, but what a game! What a finish!
Sunday, January 01, 2023. Tri-Town Arena – Ryan Frew Memorial Rink.
2022 Winter Classic Championship Game – Game 4.
Score by period:
Monarchs: 01 – 00 – 00 – 00 = 01
Flames: 00 – 01 – 00 – 01 = 02 (Overtime)
Flames goals in order:
- Jordan Hawkes skated down a pass that had gone awry. He turned up ice and fired a shot that set the rest of the play in motion. The save was made but the puck bounced off of the goalie’s pads where Chase Giampa grabbed the rebound. Chase had no room to shoot on goal so he did the next best thing by putting the puck through the crease from behind the goalie. The puck slid nicely, right on to the stick of Gavin Petrie who promptly slapped the puck into the net. Power play goal, Petrie from Giampa and Hawkes, 1-1.
- Cooper Lazzaro alertly scooped up a pass intended for an opposing forward at center ice. Cooper worked to his right, skating through a stick check on his way into the O-zone and the right circle. Another defender was already back but Cooper’s shot was away before the defensive player could get to him. The defender created a bit of a screen and Lazzaro’s shot was perfect. The puck rose quickly and hit the net in the top corner, far side, under the bar, where Grandpa hides the candy that is saved for the most special of occasions. Lazzaro unassisted, overtime, Championship game-winner, 2-1. Back to Back Champs!
Congratulations to Cooper Lazzaro who was named Tournament MVP!
Will and Travis – You don’t win Titles without these two. You just don’t. Great job guys! You may have been underrated in this tournament because of the offensive zone pressure and possession time of the entire team. But you were huge when needed! 3 goals allowed in 4+ Tournament games is not possible without your contributions.
Plus, Travis told me that it’s pretty fun to be swarmed by the team on the ice. The pictures back that up!
I apologize for not having more pictures of our goaltenders this weekend. They are awesome, and I think everyone knows how valued they are on this team. Our goalies and the rest of the team were the winner’s of the Winner’s Bracket, the Champions!
The team scored 22 goals in the four games, while piling up 28 assists (way to move the puck)! The team pounded pucks to the end boards. They fore-checked like they were possessed and allowed very few chances against. It was awesome! It takes everyone. Don’t forget it.
The 2010 Flames won the 2022 Winter Classic Championship as a team. Kaveney’s we got you!
Congratulations team, the 2010 Flames.
You can find more 2010 Flames material in these pieces, here. 2010 Manchester Flames.
2022 Winter Classic Going Back to Back vs. Monarchs
2022 Winter Classic Going Back to Back Champs! Enjoy!
Sometimes you persevere enough to overcome what might otherwise set you back. You bond as a team along the way because every single time you play, the scenario is new. You play as a team because you have started to realize it’s better that way, if not easier.
Letting your ego and priority of self melt into the depths of team is one of the most rewarding sacrifices you can ever make. Because it almost always turns out that you are better working together, especially when you give of yourself to your teammates. The rewards can multiply quickly, and sometimes you get to celebrate as a team, on the ice.
Check these out! They are a lot of fun to look at.
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.