Special Report to the New York Times by R. Inkrat
Portland, Maine, January 14, 2012 - In a busy weekend for all the major sports, one event took center stage, as the Morning Hockey Club squads faced off at the Cumberland County Civic Center here tonight. The clubs play special matches at the CCCC periodically through the year and they are always spirited contests. This one was perhaps the best calibre of play and pace of any of them.
The Blues ultimately prevailed over Gold 5-3 in the see saw battle that took the focus of the sporting world away from such lesser events as the NFL playoffs, Bruins NHL hockey, and the Boston Celtics. "Those are all great," said one fan, "but nothing can compare to this."
An enthusiastic crowd variously estimated at 12-35 people watched as Blue jumped to an early two goal lead. The second blue goal came on a nifty effort by Andy McGlauflin, who got his stick on a cross ice pass at hos own blue line and dashed all the way down the rink to score.
Minutes later Gold sniper Barry White got his club on the board with a brilliant rink length rush and goal of his own, making it 2-1.
Goalies Tom Doucette and Gerry Anderson were brilliant at both ends of the ice, making save upon save as the two teams pressed the attack both ways. Doucette kept the contest close all the way. The Gold attack swarmed Anderson repeatedly, and it would be fair to say that without Anderson's standing on his head Gold could well have come out the winner.
Following the White goal, Blue ace Tim Boardman just missed scoring. Anderson made two remarkable glove saves, and then Doucette rose to the occasion stopping two point blank shots from the slot.
Jeff Berman leveled the score with a lovely goal from right in front, and minutes later White gave Gold a 3-2 lead on his second up ice dash finished with a nifty tuck in from the side of the net.
As usual conditions in the CCCC were challenging, especially the unusual warmth contrasted to the familiar MHC surroundings at either Family Ice Center of Portland Ice Arena. "It was very hot out there," commented Blue star Doug Pocock in the locker room after the game.
As the game progressed momentum shifted to Blue. Chris Greenwood picked up a loose puck at the corner of the net and got it up over Doucette, who had already made two saves, to make the score 3-3. Blue ace Gerry Nadeau just missed a goal before Matt Noone, always a factor, scored from the slot minutes later to give Blue the lead 4-3.
Peter Carlisle added a fifth goal for Blue on a hard shot from the point that Doucette saved at first, but the puck fluttered in the air and somehow trickled in behind him.
Both clubs showed verve on the attack and steady defense, none steadier than Gold blueliner Scott Fone, who made a number of brilliant defensive plays in the losing effort, including sprawling full length at one point to knock the puck away from his own goal area and out of the zone.
"I don't know why the league scheduled our game on the same night as the MHC Classic," said Patriot quarterback Tom Brady, who has often chafed at the lack of attention paid to his club and to himself, before the match-up between New England and the Denver Broncos. "We prepare the same way whether anyone will be watching or not," commented laconic Patriot coach Bill Belichick when told the MHC classic likely would distract many fans from the Pats Bills showdown, reportedly won by New England.
The Portland Pirates of the AHL lost the under card to Springfield 4-2 after the MHC tilt.
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Goalie
Hockey the way it should be! Somnus est hostes hostium
