Townie Mites Take 2011 Mcgoff Trophy

This year marked the 11th Annual Dan McGoff Memorial Christmas Classic Hockey Tournament  hosted by Charlestown Youth Hockey and there were plenty on hand to watch some very talented teams compete all weekend long in over 20 games. The tournament  was held on December 9th through the 11th at the Emmons, O’Neill, Horrigan Rink the home of Charlestown Youth Hockey. This tournament is held in honor and in memory of Dan McGoff whom spent many years mentoring young hockey players, coaches and parents about the finer points of youth hockey and he exemplified how one person can make a big difference by giving back to such an important non-profit community based youth program. Dan not only worked tirelessly during his many years as a board member,  coach and hockey parent while involved with CYHA but he also recruited the entire McGoff family and many  friends over the years to become a crucial part of the continued success that Charlestown Youth Hockey has seen since its inception.

Thank you to all of the McGoff family members whom visited throughout the tournament and a special thanks goes out to Meghan McGoff, Dan’s daughter, for her presence and part in awarding the winning teams their trophies We would also like  to thank Lisa McGoff Collins for her donation of a handmade holiday basket for the raffle and the baked goods that kept coming in. We also want to thank Doris McGoff, Bobby and Ann McGoff and the entire family for their presence, help and donation of a flat  panel TV. Thanks also goes out to the following for their generous donations to our successful raffle, coach David Higginbottom and Reebok for the skates as well as Providence Bruins tickets and autographed items,  Bill Cantin from the Ironside Grill for the  gift certificate, Danny Ryan for the Warren Tavern gift Certificates, coach Chris Tuite for the autographed Providence Bruins hat and shirt,  J’s skate shack, Joe Slesar for the Boston Beer Works gift certificate, Brenda Suppa for donuts and pastries and all those that donated baked goods for the bake sale. A special thank you to Toni Ann’s for  their donation of two delicious trays of chicken broccoli and chicken parmesan which everybody raved about and we highly recommend you try at their newly opened store on Main Street. Thank you to Edie and Nicole and Edie’s little helpers whom kept the snack  shack fully staffed and open all weekend long.  Thank you to DJ Kevin Cain for his excellent DJ services and the Bruins Music CD, Mary Dowdle and Robie Marcella for photography on short notice and a special thank you to all of the board members, coaches, parents  as well as all the other volunteers whom dedicated their time to help make this year’s tournament another great success.

The Charlestown Mite A team competed against Cambridge, South Boston and Quincy, along with the Under 10 Girls team going up against Arlington and the Boston Junior Eagles and the Squirt A boys team battled with South Boston, Dedham and  Wellesley.  A great showing for every game as plenty of fans were on hand for the local matchups.

Highlights of the Mite A Division.

The 2011 Annual Dan McGoff Tournament was the first for many of the young Townies on Charlestown’s Mite A team, and they came into the tourney ready to give it their best shot on their home ice.  In their first game of the weekend on Saturday morning, they beat out a tough competitor, Quincy, with a score of 8-4.  Later that day, they came out on top of Cambridge 6-3.  Townie goalie Sonny Fazio played some tremendous games in net. On Sunday morning, the young Townies got closer to a spot in the championship game when they won again, this time 5-2 over a very talented South Boston team.  Undefeated, they ultimately entered the championship  game against Quincy and the battle began.  Both teams fought hard to win the trophy, but after 3 tense periods the game went into a 5 minute sudden death overtime period. The Townies became the undefeated 2011 McGoff Champs after a sudden-death overtime goal  by Aidan Boucher, leaving the final score at 4-3.

Highlights of the Girls Under 10 Division.

On Friday the Girls U10 team took on the Boston Jr Eagles last year’s defending Champion.  Although the Charlestown Girls were a little over matched losing 6-0 they played  hard til the end.  Goalie Sarah Potter made numerous great saves to keep the Townies in the game.

On Saturday morning The Lady Townies played league rival Arlington.  The game was a back-and-forth affair with Arlington scoring the first two goals.  The Townies roared  back with goals by Ciara Wall and Emma Brennan to tie the score at 2.  Assists went to Jessica Pistorino, Lauren Barry, Brigh Cote, and Kaleigh Wall.  Arlington scored again to make it 3-2 and added a late goal for a 4-2 final.  Again, Sarah Potter was stellar  in net.  Caitlyn Killoran, Kristen O’Keefe, Alaina Aiello, Olivia West, and Ana Mastrocola also played strong for the Lady Townies.

Highlights of the Boys Squirt A Division

The Charlestown Squirts played two tough opponents from Southie and Dedham. The play was back and forth for the entire game and great goaltending by James Hollien kept them in both games only to lose in the last minutes of each game.

Following the two tough losses the Townies fought hard against a fast and furious Wellesley team who was loaded for bear and in the number one slot. The Townies were down 3 goals by the beginning of the third period but with a sudden surge  by the forwards and a very solid defense at the blue line the Townies stormed back with 3 goals in the third to tie the game at 3. The victory was purely moral at that point for the Townie Squirt A team but they showed guts and determination to come back in  their own house against the number one ranked team in the tournament. It was a great ending to a well played tournament.