1996 Boston Icemen vs. Russian Red Army

The 96 Boston Icemen faced the 96 Russian Red Army in a 2 game series at NESC this past weekend. During their extended stay, the Russian Red Army also participated in the NESC Spring Classic where they captured the Gold in the 96 division.

The opportunity for the local players to play against a world caliber team, especially a Russian team, was an experience of a life time. This was a chance that not many players get throughout their hockey careers. The games turned out to be a great learning experience for the Icemen.

The Russian team was a highly skilled, well conditioned extremely focused. They showcased their talent throughout the weekend and in our two game series.

In the first game, the Russians prevailed in a convincing 6 to 1 win. Their team play and fast paced skilled game was too much for an unprepared Icemen team. With no practices and little team chemistry, the Icemen seemed lost at times.

The rematch, 2 nights later, was a vast improvement for the Icemen. The boys were composed and dominated most of the play, outshooting their opponents and holding most of the offensive play. The third period found the teams even at  4-4. The Russians capitalized late in the third, going ahead 5-4 and that score would remain to end the game.

Coach McLean commented that he was proud of the way the boys played in the second  game. The Icemen players used their individual skill and played as a team and it showed throughout the game. These boys proved they can play with the best when they play as a team; when they put aside their individual goals and play as a unit; as a team. It was a pleasure to coach and watch our local kids compete against some of the best players in the world at the 96 level. This game
was one these kids will never forget.

The Russians plan on returning to Boston next year and the Icemen will repeat their two game series in 2009.

1996 Spring Classic Champions

1996 Boston Icemen earn Gold at the 2008 Minuteman Flames Spring Classic in Marlboro.

The 96 Boston Icemen were just that, a group of local boys from different AAA youth hockey teams who usually play against each other. They took the ice for the first time as a team to compete in the Flames Spring Classic. And that they did.

In round robin play the Icemen were victorious in every game beating Team Excel 9-0, Westchester Express 7-3, and a very physical Canadian V Red team 3-1.

Facing the Boston Selects in the semi-finals, the Icemen prevailed in a 9-1 win.

Also undefeated in round robin play, the Connecticut Yankees would be the Icemen's opponent in the Championship game. The Icemen proved they had talent, speed, strength and heart defeating the Yankees 7-3.

This team seemed to have it all: Speed and agility from 96 Boston Mission Conor Garland, 96 Islander Liam Pecararo and 96 Top Gun Jack Eichel; Strength and vision from 96 Providence Capital Dominic Franco, and 96 Islanders' John McLean and Ara Nazarian: Playmakers; 96 Providence Capital Bryan Lemos, 96 Boston Jr Terrier Bryan Green and 96 Top Gun Charlie McConnell. The defenseman, 95 South Shore King Anthony Wyse, 96 Top Gun Andrew Cross, 96 Long Island Gull Gianni Paolo and 96 Boston Missions' Jake McCarthy and Conor McCann were both a defensive and offensive threat. Solid goal tending came from 96 Top Gun Chris DeVito, 96 South Shore King Danny Higgins and 96 Boston Jr Terrier Richie D'Ortenzio.

The 96 Boston Icemen will face the Russian Red Army team in a 2 game series at the NESC on May 2nd and May 4th. 2008.

1998 Spring Classic Champions

The 98 Boston Icemen opened their Spring tournament season in the Flames Invitational held at the New England Sports Center in Marlboro, MA.  The 98 bracket was predicted to be full of very talented teams, and the weekend proved to be just as touted.

In the opening game the Icemen squared off against a tough Atlantic All-Stars Team. With no practice prior to the first game you never know what to expect but having a group of kids with individual skill, good team spirit, and great coachability played out to be more important.  The Icemen stormed to an early lead and did not look back.  With two goals by Brendon Cordeiro (Providence Capitals, EHF), two assists by Brandon Lafata (VJWE - NEHL), and three assists by Matt Koopman (MXI - EHF) the Icemen opened with a solid performance beating the All-Stars 7-3.

The second game of the opening day did not go as well.  The Icemen ran into a very talented Westchester Express Team.  With a very fast and physical opening period the Icemen and Express were locked at 1-1.  Lead by the great play of goaltender Nolan Delano (MXI - EHF) a beautiful power play goal by the Icemen's Kyle Koopman (MXI - EHF) the fist period ended tied.  The second period started the way the first finished, fast and physical.  Three minutes into the middle period the Icemen found themselves two-men down for over 5 minutes and four power play goals later the Express had a commanding 6-2 lead.  After strong performance by both teams the game ended 6-2 but know doubt was a precursor to these two teams meeting again on Sunday.

On Saturday the Icemen and Flames faced-off in an early morning tilt.  The first two periods was full of up and down, close checking hockey and the Icemen held a 2-1 lead right through the middle of the third period with outstanding goaltending by Jonathan O'Donnell (Baystate Breakers - EHF), goals by Brendan Cordeiro and Brandon Waterman (Providence Capitals - EHF), and assists by Colin McCaughey (MXI - EHF), Jake Friedman (Florida Everbaldes), and Christian Thomas (Providence Capitals - EHF).  After two empty net Goals by Brandon Lafata and Jonathan Folsom (VJWE - NEHL) the Icemen capped their 2nd win of the tournament 4-1.

In the Afternoon contest the Icemen the Icemen played a worn out Vermont Ice cats Team.  Again with a great performance by Nolan Delano (MXI -EHF) and too many multiple goals and assists to mention, the Icemen shut out Vermont 10-0 and secured the spot in the championship game and the rematch they were waiting for against the Westchester Express.

Championship games are supposed to be a match-up between the two best teams and in the 98 Division that's exactly how it played out.  The Icemen (3-1) and the Westchester Express (3-0-1) dropped the puck and gave the fans what they wanted to see; a very fast, well played hockey game.  After another stellar first period performance turned in by goaltender Nolan Delano (MXI - EHF), the Express lead 2-1.  In the second period both teams showed great poise fighting off multiple penalties, however the Icemen tied it up 2-2 with a goal by Colin McCaughey (MXI - EHF), assisted from Christian O'Neil (BJE - EHF) and Nicole Saber (MXI - EHF).  Going into the final 15 minutes, tied at 2-2, both teams stepped up the intensity.  With tremendous net-minding by Jonathan O'Donnell (Baystate Breakers - EHF) and an incredible defensive performance the four "blue-liners" Matt Koopman, Collin Murphy, Nicole Saber and Ryan Verrier (all MXI - EHF) the Icemen wore down the free-skating Express with physical play and puck movement.  The Icemen broke the deadlock with a goal by Christian O'Neil (BJE -EHF) from Colin McCaughey (MXI- EHF) and secured their 4-2 victory and completed their championship weekend a goal by Jonathan Folsom (VJWE-NEHL) fed by a beautiful pass by Christian O'Neil (BJE - EHF).

The Boston Icemen 99's started out the Minuteman Spring Classic with a hard fought game against the scrappy Westchester Express team from New York. After almost two scoreless periods the Icemen got on the board with two back to back goals only 18 seconds apart from their small but tough "black and blue" line (Joe Dunlap, Anthony Nazarian, Jake Aleksa). The first goal was scored by Dunlap with the assist going to Anthony Nazarian and the second scored by Nazarian assisted by Aleksa. The Icemen's offense exploded in the third period scoring four unanswered goals, the first three coming from the high-powered line of Christian Brinkley, Cam Barbagallo and Jack "The Brick" Swarbrick. Brinkley scored at 11:42 with the assist going to defenseman Jason Dobay and then Brinkley again, this time unassisted less than a minute later. At 8:05 Swarbrick took a nice pass from Barbagallo and made it 5-0 . It was now time for the skilled line of Sean Doherty, Jack Nisbit and Marc Gatcomb to get in on the fun. They accounted for the Icemen's final tally of the game with an unassisted goal by Doherty with 6:12 remaining in the game.

Westchester did not go easy, they managed to spoil the Icemen goaltender's (Jimmy Scannel) perfect game by scoring with just 1:10 left in the game. Final score Boston Icemen 6 Westchester Express 1

The Icemen were back at a few hours later playing game 2 of the round robin against the very physical Young Guns AAA club. The Icemen again jumped out on top in the first period with a goal from Jack Swarbrick assisted by Cam Barbagallo. The pair of Swarbrick and Barbagallo hooked up again at 5:46 in the second period with "the Brick" beating Young Gun goaltender after receiving a nice pass from Barbagallo. Only 35 seconds later Anthony Nazarian scored with the assist going to Jake Aleksa. Defenseman Austin Marini opened up the third period scoring with a wrist shot from the point after receiving a pass from Christian Brinkley at the 10:58 mark and making it 4-0 Icemen.

Icemen defensemen Joe Nagle, Jacob Mendeszoon, Austin Marini, Jason Dobay and Mattie Poulin played outstanding helping preserve a well deserved shut out for goaltender Jimmy Scannel. Final score Boston Icemen 4 Young Guns AAA 0

The final game of the round robin was played against the Atlantic All-Stars, a very talented group of players from CT, NY, NJ and Canada. Once again the Icemen scored first with an unassisted goal by Sean Doherty coming at 7:24 in the first period. Jack Swarbrick closed out the first period, scoring with only :24 seconds left with the assist going to Jack Nisbet. Defensemen Mattie Poulin went coast to coast scoring an unassisted goal only 31 seconds into the second period making it 3-0 Icemen. It was then time for Icemen goaltender Jimmy Scannel to put the team on his back. With 3:54 left in the second period the Icemen were called for a delay of game penalty when one of their players tied the puck up in the goaltenders crease. This gave the All Stars a penalty shot and a chance to get back in the game. Icemen goaltender Jimmy Scannel had other ideas. He stoned the All-Star shooter and preserved the Icemen 3 goal lead. The All-Stars did manage to get on the board with 2 minutes 27 seconds remaining in the second making the score 3-1. Once again the Icemen defensive corps and goaltender stepped it up in the third keeping the All-Stars off the board for the rest of the game and preserving a 3-1 victory for the Icemen. Final score Boston Icemen 3 Atlantic All-Stars 1

The win gave the Icemen a 3-0 tournament record, tied with the host team, the Minuteman Flames, also 3-0. The Icemen however received the #2 seed in the playoff round, losing out on the #1 seed due to a tie-breaker with the Flames.

Losing the tie breaker with the Flames and having the #2 seed meant the Icemen would have to play an early morning (6:20am) semi-final game against the Atlantic All-Stars(#3 seed), the winner would advance to the final against the Flames who drew a #1 seed bye.

Both teams where up for the task, with the Icemen opening up the scoring at 7:23 in the first period with a goal by Christian Brinkley assisted by Jack Swarbrick. The All-Stars answered with their own goal coming less than 2 minutes later, tying the score 1-1. The All-Stars took the lead with 7:44 remaining in the second period but the Icemen answered that one with a goal less than 3 minutes later when Brinkley scored his second goal of the game unassisted. The third period was back to back, both teams had great scoring chances and both goalies played outstanding. With only 3 minutes and 24 seconds remaining in the third period Icemen Jack Nisbit received a pass from Jason Dobay and scored making it 3-2 Icemen. The All-Stars did not go away. After pulling their goalie, the All-Stars put the pressure on and scored with only :34 seconds remaining the the 3rd period and tying the game and putting it into "sudden death overtime".

The first over time period was played 5 on 5 for 5 minutes with neither team scoring. The second overtime was played 4 on 4 with the All-Stars scoring just 45 seconds into the overtime period and spoiling the Icemen's hope for gold.

The Boston Icemen '99 team will take their show on the road in hopes of coming up big when they head to Montreal for the Festival National AAA tournament June 5th - 8th.

The Youngest Icemen Skate to Victory in the Minuteman Flames Spring Classic

2000 Spring Classic Champions
The 2000 Boston Icemen met for the first time in the Minuteman Flames Spring Classic, coached by Steve LaRossa.
In the first round robin game, the Icemen faced the New Jersey Revolution. Off to a great start, the Icemen dominated in a 9-1 win. Putting the puck in the net for the Icemen: a hat trick by Alex Brinkley, two from Joey LaRossa and Liam Murphy and one each from O'Conner, Joslin and Lockhart.
The second game was against a strong Minuteman Flames team. The game ending in a 1 to 1 tie with Brinkley scoring the solo goal.
In the Icemen's third game, they faced the Westchester Express. The Icemen were again dominating, winning 9 to 1 win. Brinkley netting his second hat trick of the tournament, LaRossa and Murphy netting two each and Lockhart and Krammer contributing each with one.
The Icemen met the Young Guns in the final round robin game. The Icemen continued their strong play, stunning the Young Gun team 8 to 2. Lockhart, Brinkley, Murphy, Larossa and Krammer all scoring for the Icemen.
The Championship game was a rematch of Flames and Icemen. In a well played and hard fought game, the Icemen prevailed 3 to 0. Goals from Brinkley, Lockhart and O'Conner sealed the win.
The Icemen blueline was guarded by Eddie Everett, Ryan O'Conner, Adian Sandler and Owen Callow. All absolutely solid.
Giving up only 5 goals for the tournament, Joe Maly held court between the pipes.