GSL Parity Weekend - 2010 Flames - 1 In Awesome Wonder

September 13-15, 2024 – GSL Parity Weekend – 2010 Flames – 2024-2025

The scene was Everett Arena in Concord. It was GSL Parity Weekend for NH youth hockey teams in the 14U Division such as the 2010 Flames. The 10U and 12U division’s games were played in Manchester and Keene, respectively.

For the GSL Parity Weekend, teams were split into mini divisions and played the other teams in the division. The games were abbreviated for scheduling and recovery purposes. Each game was scheduled for one (1) twenty-five (25) minute period, running time.

The 2010 Flames (Manchester Flames) played the Concord 14U Premier team, and the NE Wolves 14U Premier team. Then, depending on standings, teams advanced in one direction or another.

The Flames advanced to a semi-final of sorts, and played the Berlin 14U team. Berlin had gone 2-0 in their mini division. I will get to some details of the games right about now.

The Flames skate to their positions as they face-off against Concord at Everett Arena. © 1inawesomewonder 2024.

Game 1 –

Scoring:

2010 Flames – 0
Concord Premier – 0

Concord outshot the Flames 11-6. Concord was whistled for two penalties while the Flames were hit with four penalties.

Warren – Interference.
Pinkos – Interference.
Giampa – Head Conduct.
Giampa – Misconduct.

This was a pretty good game. The penalties were called, assessed, and served quickly while time kept running. Both teams moved the puck pretty well. Both sides had to be on the alert as multiple players on both teams were capable of creating great scoring chances.

From a 2010 Flames perspective, it was good to see the Flames players moving the puck and looking to set one another up. They didn’t score a goal but they really pressed the Concord defense throughout the game. Only 6 shots on goal were counted on the scoreboard for the Flames. I thought there were two or three more than that. There were also several pass plays that led to shots that just missed the net, or plays that didn’t quite connect.

Concord had some size, speed, and offensive punch in their roster. They caught the Flames up ice a few times but hustle and goaltending kept them off of the scoreboard.

I know it was an abbreviated game that ended with a 0-0 score, but it was a fun game to watch.

Game 2 –

Scoring:

2010 Flames – 3
NE Wolves Premier – 0

After 14 or 15 shots on goal, the Flames finally got on the board. The “Full House” line (threes over sixes, with an extra three) were all over the offensive zone. Skating, moving, looking, passing, etc. An offensive zone possession was broken up and the puck slid to the corner. The Wolves defense was under pressure from Andy Soucy and Deen Destani. The puck was hurriedly cleared from the corner, but right to the slot where Ouellette was occupying space. Ouellette put the puck on net and pounded his own rebound into the open space between the goalie and the post. Ouellette unassisted. 1-0.

On their next shift, Ouellette hit Destani with a great pass but a fantastic Wolves save kept the puck out of the net.

A minute later Jaden Booth flew up the right wing on a rush that appeared to be on the edge of out of control. The puck was smacked off of his stick blade but it slid right to Luke Pinkos. Pinkos made a quick move around a defender in the slot and had a point blank shot like you might see in a video game. He drilled the puck into the back of the net for the 2-0 lead. Pinkos from Booth.

Caleb Powers had a great look at a scoring chance and ripped a shot off of the post. It didn’t count for anything but I heard him call “post” as he shot so that was impressive.

The Flames scored their third goal on an Ouellette tour of the offensive zone. Several players on both teams had signed up for the tour and were mesmerized by the scenic tour of the icy paradise called the offensive zone.

Ouellette dazzled the gathering before unloading a pass back to the right point where Joey Santitto was enjoying the view. He snapped into action, stepped into a shot that ended up wide of the net. The puck ricocheted behind the net. This is the area where Gavin Petrie loves to grab the puck and let opponents believe there is no apparent threat. Then, in an instant, Petrie centered a pass/shot from below the goal line. The puck hit the goalie’s equipment and bounced into the net. I believe he calls these little pass/shots “Passtrie’s”.

Either way, when I interviewed him later, he told me that he has scored this type of goal at least once each season for 6 consecutive seasons. Who knew. Petrie from Santitto and Ouellette. 3-0.

The Flames outshot the Wolves 24-6. There were no penalties called in this game.

I told Gavin after our chat that maybe he should swing by for a visit. He did just that. © 1inawesomewonder 2024.

Game 3 – SF (sort of)

Scoring:

2010 Flames – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 = 0
Berlin 14U – 0 – 0 – 0 – 1 = 1

The Flames outshot Berlin 12-8 in regulation. Since this game was a semi-final game, and time ran out with a 0-0 score, there had to be a winner. For roughly six seconds, maybe seven, confusion ensued. Then, ‘The Great Voice’ from above the benches brought forth a decree, and bellowed for all to hear that the outcome of this contest shall be decided by virtue of a three player shootout.

The first five shootout attempts (3 for the 2010 Flames and 2 for Berlin) were denied entry into the goal by way of goalie saves at either end of the ice. Then the final shooter for Berlin barely got one by Travis Ingalls in the net for the Flames. ‘The Great Voice’ proclaimed Berlin the winner and the Flames with legions of their people were banished from the arena immediately.

This was a good game, but it was the ugliest of the three games in aesthetics. With running time, there was too much time running off the clock while officials were talking to coaches, to each other, to ‘The Great Voice’, ordering food, etc. There were 8 penalties called in this game, with four penalties to each side.

Beal – Roughing.
Warren – Misconduct.
Pinkos – Misconduct.
St. Pierre – Interference.

Teddy Beal was called for a matching roughing penalty while being sandwiched between two defenders in the crease area after a play at the net. He looked like a target for the ‘Roxbury Guys’ from the old Saturday Night Live skit.

Then there was the old foursome of misconducts. Flames player hits Berlin player along the boards. It didn’t appear there was a play made on the puck. Berlin teammate and Flames teammate all take exception to the rough housing and get as tangled up as they can get while playing Twister on skates. Whistles blew wildly.

The refs met, and chatted, and seemed to be leaning towards compassion when, like a thunderclap, ‘The Great Voice’ from above the benches spoke. His words could be heard but also seen as the sound waves rippled through Everett Arena in all directions. He thundered something like, Be done with them! Remove these combatants from my sight. And allow no other to see them either. You are expelled from Everett Arena. I have spoken and you four will contest no more.

Late in regulation time the Flames had a power play opportunity. They were dominating the offensive zone with possession of the puck but proceeded to miss the net with their first four shots attempted during the power play.

In a sequence of ‘turnabout is fair play’ the Flames reciprocated by taking a penalty in the final two minutes of regulation. Berlin had some chances of their own but goaltending was running hot in this game.

Berlin advanced and beat Upper Valley in the last game to ‘win’ the tier. ‘The Great Voice’ from above the benches was jolly. He belly laughed and proclaimed that he would be throwing a great feast. Then invited no one.

That is roughly how I remember the game.

These next two photos from behind the net are priceless. Their value is incalculable due to the rarity of ever glimpsing a photo taken by this particular photographer. Photos credited to: J. Ss. Beal (The extra s is for sassy).

: Before the shootout commenced the referee asked Travis, “Have you ever played in a shootout before? Travis, looking incredulously, answered, “Played in a shootout?!?! I was born in a shootout.” Nobody could explain it, but we all believe.

: This game was full of brilliant goaltending at both ends of the ice. O’Neil for Berlin, and Ingalls & Rosenbeck for the Flames. This one barely trickled over the goal line.

Before the Berlin game, I spent some time on a gorgeous September day out in the park along the river just behind the ice arena. I was listening to my beloved Red Sox beat the Yankees (the only game they won in the four game series) while enjoying the views of the sky, the clouds, the river, and all the green around me.

GSL Parity Weekend – 2024-2025

So this is why I call these Mooney’s Moonshots. Well, the name Mooney, that already gets us headed in the right direction. Then there is this. Moonshot. While ‘moonshot’ originally meant “long shot,” it’s increasingly being used to describe a monumental effort and a lofty goal—in other words, a “giant leap.” Moonshot is also used to describe a towering home run. And home run is a large gain, or popular success. So ya, I like Mooney’s Moonshots because it stands for all of that.

Thank you for the time you spend to take the pictures and go through them, load them, and then freely share them.

Here are some pics from the Berlin vs. Flames game, Mooney’s Moonshots.

In all, the games were well played. They were fun to watch, like watching a recorded TV show in 42 minutes because you get to fast forward through the commercials. Oh yeah, and the TV show is all about your favorite kids in the world. Great stuff!

3 games.
1-1-1 record.
In 75 minutes of regulation time, Ingalls one shutout. Rosenbeck one shutout. Ingalls and Rosenbeck combined for one shutout.
The only goal the Flames allowed was a shootout goal. That’s it!
3 goals scored.
42 shots on goal.
25 shots allowed.
Great job!

You can find more 2010 Flames material in these pieces, here. 2010 Manchester Flames.

The current look at my ‘hockey office’. So many hours spent in this space, tracking numbers and capturing season after season. (C) 1inawesomewonder 2023.

The beginning of every article. (C) 1inawesomewonder 2017.

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.

“We should be dreaming. We grew up as kids having dreams, but now we’re too sophisticated as adults, as a nation. We stopped dreaming. We should always have dreams.” ~ the late Herb Brooks.

“To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. Number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it: If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a full day. That’s a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you’re going to have something special.” ~ Jim Valvano on how to live life, during his ESPY speech.

“I started writing sports stories 20 years ago. I still do. I write because somewhere, in some game, a kid might be having the time of his or her life. That’s awesome to think about. It’s all about the kids.” ~ Steve Beal Sr.