The Last Full Season – 2010 Flames

March, 2025 – The Last Full Season – 2010 Flames.

Full season hockey, it runs from September until sometime in March. It’s a lot. It’s a love. And this one, well, this was the last full season.

 

 

 

It’s a mild, gray day in March as I stare out our home office window. Colors are muted, but maybe it’s the lens through which I peer. The browns and grays are holding on a little longer as the snow and ice retreat. The greens, they’ll have to wait, but they cannot be contained. Light is flat and so is my energy.

It was 11-something last night and I was sitting alone downstairs. I had the Canucks and Blackhawks playing on my phone, and the PS4 was in the middle of a March To October game on MLB The Show 24. I was deep in thought. My wife and the twins were all in their beds. All asleep. I had an overwhelming feeling of how emotionally and physically spent our family was at that very moment.

I thought, ‘there is no way I am the only one feeling this way tonight’. I was thinking about our 2010 Flames hockey family.

Yet, had the team won both games on Saturday, we would all have been up early Sunday morning and ready to go for the next game. Complete solidarity in the next task. To line up together and take on the next opponent. The next chance to be with those mates I identify by number hundreds of times a season. But there was no game. There was no season left in the last full season.

This of course led me to think about each kid, each coach, and each family. Which took me further, to the thought of how fleeting these moments in time really are. Even when you’re sitting on the floor at midnight and not really comfortable but you don’t move because, well, you’re exhausted and it’s still more comfortable than a bleacher seat at JFK.

Then, my heart skipped a few beats as my lungs momentarily forgot what they are supposed to do. In a half convulsive sigh, half my breath taken away, the last full season was over.

 

 

2010 Flames: 2. 6. 7. 8. 12. 20. 22. 24. 27. 33. 36. 63. 86. 87. 00. 31.

 

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Some time during the day yesterday I asked 6, I mean my son, what he would like me to do about writing up the 2010 Flames games from the Winter Classic through March 15th (basically Jan, Feb, and March). I honestly didn’t think he cared that much about the articles. Maybe I should be nicer. Anyways, he was gracious and let me off the hook, kind of, saying, “you can just do it however you would like to”. Thank you, Theodore.

So, here I am writing. This type of stuff that I started doing back in the late 90’s. It’s for the kids.

I am deeply sorry that I don’t have all the goals and assists, shots and saves from this season. Sincerely, this really bothers me. I suppose my priorities are out of line, but this season took a toll.

For our beloved 2010 Flames, the number of games lost to injury, sickness, and high school conflicts, was in the hundreds. So, I missed quite a bit of detail. But I can say this. Even for a guy that measures more things than anyone should ever know, the season isn’t about goals, assists, saves, and shots. They factor into the results but results aren’t ours to control. What’s far more important is the people, the kids, the coaches, and the families.

When the 2010 Flames battled somewhere south of Boston with just 8 skaters but played with the collective heart of the entire roster, and staggered opponents with their effort and resolve (to fix in purpose; to determine in mind), that is what this is all about. Honestly, when I saw results posted in our team chat of scores and outcomes that this team earned, even in losses, my chest puffed a bit. So many things were accomplished with many factors working against the team. I was blown away and very proud of the effort put forth by the kids, the coaches, the families.

 

 

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The Last Full Season – New England District Regionals in NH 2025

14U Youth Tier 3 Regional

The 2010 Flames earned a spot in the Regionals by finishing Runner-Up in the Granite State League Tier 3 State Tournament. Perhaps we will get to that later.

The Regional games were played at Sullivan Arena on the campus of St. Anselm College as well as over at JFK Memorial Coliseum in Manchester, NH. The Regional Tournament was made up of two different 4 team pools, with the top 2 teams from each pool advancing to the SemiFinals on Sunday morning. Games began on Friday afternoon.

There were two teams from Connecticut, Maine, and New Hampshire. One team each from Vermont and Rhode Island. Massachusetts is a commonwealth so that factors in somehow. Or not.

For the 2010 Flames they opened play against the Yale Jr. Bulldogs from Branford, Connecticut. The Flames trailed 2-1 going into the 3rd period before allowing 3 goals in a 1:59 span. The Flames scored the final goal of the game, dropping the opener, 5-2.

The Flames were outshot, 47-20 in the game. Will Rosenbeck started and played brilliantly, making 19 saves on 20 shots. Travis Ingalls made 23 saves on 27 shots, and didn’t get much help in the 1:59 span when the Flames couldn’t get the puck out of their own zone. During which time, the Bulldogs scored three times.

1. The Flames first goal was banked in off the inside of the pads that, when open, create the five-hole. Jacob St. Pierre and Lucas Ouellette moved the puck into the offensive zone. The puck ended up on Deen Destani’s stick as he slid across the slot. He powered a backhand along the ice as the goalie was sliding side to side mirroring his progress. The puck found the opening between the pads, hitting the inside of one pad and then the other before crossing the goal line. First goal of the tournament – Even Strength – Destani from Ouellette and St. Pierre. Flames lead, 1-0.
2. With the game out of hand, the Flames scored to make the score 5-2 with 1:18 left. Maybe it was just me, but I found some humor in this goal. First, the announcer at Sullivan Arena for the day was spinning records, eating a few courses, tracking the game on an iPad or something comparable, and butchering names like it was an old SNL Skit. I applaud his willingness to volunteer. So, when Luke Pinkos was announced in the starting lineup, for taking a penalty, and scoring the goal, his name was announced, sort of. I don’t think any of the announced names are even words so I won’t attempt them. But let’s say it sounded something like this. Starting at defense, “13 Loose pennies in pockets”. Or, “Slashing penalty on the Flames, #13 Tuscadero, Pinky” (Happy Days). Then finally, “Flames goal, number thirty-three-teen, Lucious Slavistan-Schpinkos”. Even – Pinkos unassisted. Down, 5-2. The goal was not shorthanded as noted in the electronic gamesheet. Which is a reminder: See here kids, it’s digital, so once it’s out there everyone can see it forever.

As it would turn out this was the closest game the Bulldogs (CT State Champs) would play until the Championship game. In the Title Game, the Bulldogs beat the other CT team in the Regional, 6-3. The other team was Northwestern Youth Hockey which is based out of New Milford, CT. New Milford has one border on the Housatonic River, and the Appalachian Trail runs along the border of town for a time. The town is south and west of Hartford, nearly touching the NY border. Either way, the two CT teams were undefeated until they played each other in the Final.

On Saturday morning, the 2010 Flames played the Newport Whalers. Yes, a solid take on the Hartford Whalers logo. The Newport Whalers are based out of, you guessed it, Middletown, RI.

This game was tough. Or at least tougher than it looked like it should have been. If that makes sense. The Flames scored with 7:22 left in the 2nd period and led 1-0 until the final minute of regulation. Then with their goalie pulled, the Whalers scored after the Flames had the puck and failed to clear the zone. The Flames short-shifted (or double shifted) a few times in the third period and overtime. This did not work well, or at all. Regulation ended with the game tied, 1-1.

With a roster full of non-dominant players and lines, this team’s strength has always come from the sum of all of its players multiplied by equal parts massive heart and unbridled childhood delight in playing together.

After a delay, or at least a very short intermission, or a time a time of confusion, the wait was over. It looked like it was a surprise to everyone that there would be a 3-on-3 overtime of 10 minutes. With 6:21 left in the OT, the Whalers got a clean breakaway and scored. The Flames outshot the Whalers 36-25 in the game and somehow only solved the goaltender once. This loss knocked the 2010 Flames out of contention for the SemiFinals.

1. The Flames lone goal came on a pure snipe from Gavin Petrie. He took a pass from Caleb Powers and raced up the right wing. There was a defender back but Petrie fired before anyone could break up the play. His shot sailed over the goaltender’s shoulder into the top corner of the net, on that top shelf. You know, where Grandma keeps the ‘warm drink’ that she secrets away for times when Grandpa comes in from the farm as cross as a badger with a wolverine complex. Even Strength – Snipe – Petrie from Powers. Up, 1-0.

 

It was Saturday afternoon, and the 2010 Flames lined up to play their final game of the season. The last stanza of the last full season. I don’t know if that had registered with everyone, or with anyone. I know the thought came to me at some point during the game. But like I have watched and marveled at for the last six seasons, I watched the 2010 Flames play hockey. They weren’t dazzling, they stayed in character.

They hit and were hit. They shot and missed. They made saves. They scored. They played with all that they had left in their tanks. And for the sixth straight year, I thought their tanks were collectively more full than each of their reserves added up. Maybe it’s me, but that’s exactly how this team has come across to me, for 6 straight seasons. I love it. It seems a perfect fit.

The feedback came in after the game, when it was conveyed from the parents of the team from Maine, that the 2010 Flames “were the best team they played in the tournament, by far”. I don’t know if that meant the Flames were that good, or if it meant that the Flames were the opponents that played the most like a team, all in, all for one. Either way, I like it. That’s our team. All in. All for one.

The opponent in this final game was the Casco Bay Mariners, out of Falmouth, Maine. Falmouth is just north of Portland, Maine. The town borders Casco Bay.

 

 

The Flames led, 2-0 after one period. They led, 4-0 after two periods. They won the game, 4-1. Here’s is how the goals went for the Flames.

1. The Flames scored with 11:30 left in the opening period. Jacob St. Pierre tipped a puck out of the defensive end toward the middle of the ice where Deen Destani picked it up at the blue line. He skated with it through center ice but was checked off of the puck. The puck went to his left, right on the stick of Andy Soucy who was skating his lane. The same player who ran around just trying to hit people also hit Soucy and knocked his scoring chance off kilter. The puck came right back to Destani. Deen stickhandled to the side of the net, backhanding a pass to the crease where St. Pierre had arrived. St. Pierre tapped the puck into the wide open net for the goal. Even Strength goal – St. Pierre from Destani and Soucy. Nice play working through the physicality. 1-0.
2. With 6:20 left in the 1st period, the Flames scored again. Joey Santitto poke checked the puck at center ice as Lucas Ouellette took over the puck while back checking. Ouellette circled wide toward his own blue line (like a boat setting up for one last straight away with a water skier in tow), he got turned and stickhandled up the left wing. He had Tyler Mooney and Garrett Warren ahead of him at the blue line. He carried the puck in, then he hit a dead end. A defender had fallen down and the stickhandling stopped there. The puck was free. For just a second. Mooney had followed in Ouellette’s wake and was right there, on the spot. Mooney did what he does best. He just loaded up and fired a wrist shot from the half wall. The puck shot past the goaltender and into the net. It might have gone through his glove. Warren was on the doorstep just in case he was needed. Even Strength goal – GWG – Mooney from Ouellette and Santitto. 2-0.
3. With 11:15 left in the second period, the Flames added another goal. This one was on a rebound. Luke Pinkos had retrieved the puck in the D zone and sent a pass up the side wall to Teddy Beal. Beal saw Gavin Petrie racing through center ice and lofted a pass up the wing. Petrie skated onto the puck nicely. His lane to the net was cut off so he turned to the outside. Beal had skated to the bench for a change. Pinkos was at the point and he took Petrie’s pass and cranked a shot on goal. The shot was on net but saved. Petrie and Chase Giampa were on the doorstep looking for the rebound. Petrie pushed the puck over the line for the goal. Even Strength goal – Petrie from Pinkos and Beal. 3-0.
4. The Flames scored their final goal of the last full season with 9:30 left in the 2nd period. But the clock ran for another two seconds, so the goal was recorded with 9:28 left. Lucas Ouellette took an offensive zone draw and won it clean. Like perfectly, clean, back to Luke Pinkos at the left point. Pinkos wound up to pound a slap shot and the lane opened wide. Like parting of the Red Sea, wide. Pinkos fired low and hard. Ouellette tipped the shot, he was still at the face-off dot. The shot deflected to the corner. Nobody wanted to get directly in front of that shot. I give credit to Ouellette for the tip, even though it looked like a batter swinging at a curveball while looking for an inside fastball. His hands were on point (great tip), but his backside was bailing out. I can’t blame him. Anyways, the puck was in the corner and so was Garrett Warren. Warren tried a centering pass but it was blocked. He got it back and tried again. Ouellette on the nearside and Tyler Mooney on the far side post. The puck skidded by Ouellette and the one defender who didn’t know which Flame to defend. This left Mooney wide open. Mooney received the pass and shot it all in one motion. Goal! The puck was in the back of the net and the Flames led, 4-0. Awesome play from an offensive zone face-off win. Even Strength Goal – Mooney from Warren and Ouellette.

 

The Flames were outshot 14-13 in the 1st, and 10-8 in the 3rd. In the middle period, the Flames dominated play, with two goals and a 19-2 advantage in shots on goal. They lead 40-26 for the game.

In an oddity that almost never happens in the postseason, the Flames won their last game of the season. They weren’t the Champs. They didn’t advance. They just finished their last full season with a win. Honestly, with all the health issues, injuries, and sickness the team faced this year, this was an ending accompanied by a smile. Seemingly out of nowhere they had a 3-game run at Regionals that ended with a win. You don’t get chances like these if the team rolls over and throws their hands in the air with all the adversity they faced. They earned these chances by doing what they do best; They compete hard, together, every time.

That has become the 2010 Flames trademark. Counted out everywhere, by every one, but still they come. Still they play. Still they dazzle no one. Still they give everything they have, for themselves. For their mates. For their coaches. For the crest on their chest. That is how you do it. And nobody can take it away from them. Well done, well earned.

Only this team can play all season, hurt, sick, while missing kids to their high school commitments, not win a single league title, and finish the season on a win. At Regional’s no less. Those are the 2010 Flames that I love. Over and out. The Last Full Season.

 

Whenever I worked a game at West Side Arena or JFK Memorial Coliseum in the booth, I would take notes and score the game on the iPad. I would also keep the Warren 2010 Flames chat up to date. But at the bottom of the note sheet I would write the numbers of the Flames players missing for that game.

Today, when I sat down to finish this little article on the team at Regionals, I noticed some symmetry among the mess that is my desk. Which is covered with notes, gamesheets, note pads, among other things. My own little hockey central.

 

 

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

 

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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.