First, I want to thank everyone inside and outside of our team and the Flames organization for all of the support, feedback, comments, and encouragement I have received throughout this season. You all have been an inspiration to me as I sit at the keyboard and contemplate the hours of recalling games, perusing my chicken-scratch stats, and trying to tell a story while occasionally subjecting us Continue Reading...
February 23: Flames 5 @ Shamrocks 3
Like the promise that each new day brings, the Flames Pee Major team keeps us all in suspense as to what their team effort will look like. On a snowy Saturday evening in Wilmington, MA the visitors offered one of their best team hockey efforts of the season. Missing one of their top defenders, in Patrick Goren, due to injury, the Flames picked up their fallen and stepped up. Goren broke his right Continue Reading...
February 10 – @ Flames 5 vs. Bulldogs 1
After dealing with Winter Storm Nemo for two days, and adjusting to rinks actually closing their doors, the Flames returned to the ice. Sunday afternoon at West Side Arena, the first and second place teams in the Mass. Selects Pee Wee Indian Division met for the 6th time this season. The Flames came into play in 1st place, with a five-point lead in the standings over the Bulldogs. 1st Period: The Continue Reading...
Ottawa 1 – January 25: Flames 3 vs. Perth Blue Wings 1
The Manchester Flames Pee Wee Majors traveled to Ottawa, Ontario to compete in the 9th Annual Capital Winter Classic Tournament, and this morning they played their opening game. Walking into the complex this morning, we sought the unfamiliar relief of the cold rink as a place of warmth to get away from the wind chills of 10 and 20 degrees below zero. Feeling frozen, maybe a little bit, the Flames Continue Reading...
MLK 4 – January 20: Flames 9 vs. Conquistadors ’01’ 1
On Sunday afternoon the Flames Pee Wee Major team played their semi-final game in the “5-8 bracket” of the 2nd Annual MLK Tournament. The Flames, playing as the 6th seed, hosted the Conquistadors 01 team. The two teams had met earlier in the tournament, with the Flames earning a 6-0 win. This one would be similar in result as the Flames got stronger throughout the game and won 9-1. The win ensured Continue Reading...
MLK 2 – January 18: Flames 6 vs. NE Jr. Hurricanes 0
On Friday afternoon the Flames played their second game of the 2nd Annual MLK Tournament vs. the New England Jr. Hurricanes. The Flames played well and earned their second straight 6-0 victory. This set up their final game of the prelim round with a Saturday afternoon game against the Ice Cats from Long Island, NY. Saturday’s game has come down to a battle for the overall #1 seed. Now, let’s get Continue Reading...
January 6: @ Flames 3 vs. 495 Stars White 2
After two games on Saturday the Flames came into Sunday afternoon’s game with the 495 Stars White team with a full 24 hours off. The Flames and Stars were meeting for the 4th and final time this season, and if the game followed previous results, this would be a tight one. In three previous meetings, the Flames earned one goal victories in each, 4-3, 3-2, and 3-2. During the pre-game skate both Continue Reading...
January 5: Flames 4 @ Raiders 2
Saturday morning at 8:00am the Flames Pee Wee Major team brought its first performance of 2013 to the Allied Veterans Memorial Rink in Everett, MA. With a game time scheduled early, reminding me of Mite hockey schedules, the players and parents made their way south in the dark. An early game on a Saturday morning, following a holiday week had all the makings of a sluggish performance. To make Continue Reading...
December 30: @ Flames 2 vs. NH East 1
Sunday afternoon the Flames returned to home ice, hosting the 1st place (GSL) NH East Eagles. This NH East club has proven over the years to be well coached and very stingy on the defensive end of the ice. In early November they shut out the Flames 3-0, allowing just 12 shots in the game. In GSL play, the Eagles had allowed just 14 goals in 10 games played. And so it was entering play on Sunday. Continue Reading...
December 15: Flames 3 @ 495 Stars White 2
In the second of two games on Saturday the 15th, the Flames battled through and around heavy traffic in the vicinity of the Pheasant Lane Mall which was packed and overflowing with Christmas shoppers. Then, for the second time on Saturday, the Flames put up a good effort, and this time, left Tyngsboro with a 3-2 win. The win improved the Flames record to 10-5 in Mass Select play, tying them with Continue Reading...