The 2002 Boston Icemen traveled to Canada to compete against some of the best 2002 teams in North America in the 2010 Niagara Bauer Invitational.  It was a very exciting tournament, where only 4 out of 15 teams advanced to the playoffs.  The Icemen advanced to the finals, playing 6 games in 3 days. 

A travel weary club competed hard in their opener, falling 3-2 to eventual champion, Total Hockey Red from Toronto.  Zach Robbins was unbelievable, stopping 32 pucks while giving his teammates a chance to win.  Matty Beniers and Ian Moore scored while Joey and Peter Kramer chipped in with assists.  Defense was solid with Alex Nazarian, Michael Martignetti, Devin O'Brien and Corey Hanneman all playing smart and physical hockey. 

The Icemen rolled in their second game, 7-0.  The Kramer boys, Nick Dallaire, Rich Hardy, Declan Lovett, Beniers, Aidan O'Leary and John Stasukelis lit the lamp, as the Icemen prepared for a tough Kensington Valley team, one of the top 3 2002 progams in Michigan.  The Icemen started strong with their aggressive forecheck, and Wil Cohen scored on a nifty one timer early to quiet the raucous Michigan patrons.  The boisterous Icemen faithful helped the boys keep their energy level up in the 5-2 win, and the coaches mulled their strategy for game 4, up late with Tim Hortons coffee and donuts.

The Icemen needed to win big against the Orchard Lake Pirates to advance based on the goal differential tiebreaker, and their attack was relentless, and they pounded the Pirates 15-1.  All 15 players had points, including our goalie.  This set up a semifinal showdown against the hometown favorites, the Niagara Sharks.  The game was 2-1 deep into the 3rd, when the Icemen broke it wide open with a convincing 7-1 victory.  In the final, the Icemen held a 2-1 2nd period lead, but a few penalties took their toll on some tired legs, and eventually Total Hockey won 6-3.   The Icemen finished second in the very competitive tourney, scoring 39 goals and giving up 13 in 6 games. 

The 2002 Icemen represented Boston area hockey quite well, and the team looks forward to Icebreaker in June.  The Icemen would like to thank their parents and sibling for making the trek up to Niagara Falls.   It was very fun!

The 2002 Boston Icemen treated their Moms to an exciting Mother's Day weekend of hockey, winning the May Spring Fling at the New England Sports Center.  The perennial favorites, Connecticut Yankees, and the Icemen battled in the opening game which was characterized by unbelievable goaltending and heavy hitting.  Zack Robbins made some great saves and Aidan O'Leary scored on nifty one-timer in the 2-1 loss to the Yankees.   The "fired up" Icemen took it to the Boston Selects in the 2nd game, 8-2, with Philip Resca, Will Cohen, and Devin O'Brien, Michael Martignetti, Joey D'Ortenzio and Nathan Eldredge all playing solid two way hockey.  Nick Rheaume, Hayden Kirks, Alex Nazarian, Tyler Anastasi and Ian Moore all lit the lamp as the Icemen moved the puck well throughout the game.  A tough New Jersey Renegades team took advantage of a weary Icemen squad later that day, 8-3, in a game where the Icemen found their legs in the 3rd period, which was too late, but a fine confidence builder heading to the playoffs.

The Icemen slept well, knowing they would meet the NJ opponent early the next morning, and there were plenty of emotions carried over from that loss on Saturday.   Cory Hanneman and Johnathan Stasukelis were flying early, and they helped set up nifty goals by Ian Moore and Nick Rheaume.  Zack Robbins recorded the first ever shutout for the 02 Icemen.  The 3-0 win set up a championship game against the vaunted Yankees.  The Icemen jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a wrister by Moore after a nice pass from O'Brien.  Nick Rheaume continued his torrid scoring pace to put the Icemen up 2-0, as Anastasi and Nazarian executed a perfect give n' go to baffle the Yanks' defense.  O'Leary broke through again on an unbelievable individual breakaway effort, and Will Cohen finished it off with a nifty backhander on a feed from Hannemann and Stasukelis to seal the win and the championship, 4-2.

The kids had great fun, and we look forward to the next tourney in late June. 

Congratulations to the 2001 Mite Major Boston Icemen who had a successful weekend in their first tournament for spring 2009, securing a spot in the finals of the Flames Spring Classic before dropping a hard fought game against the Shamrock Elites 6 – 4.

Round Robin victories over the Minuteman Flames (6-4), Connecticut Yankees (5-3) and Westchester Express (8-3) were highlighted by timely scoring, tough defense and strong goaltending.  The team looks forward to the next tourney, the Warrior Meltdown, May 28-31 in Montreal.

The Russian White Bears are in the United States playing hockey at the New England Sports Center.