Coast Guardsmen battle for the Cup
Story and photos by PA3 Connie Terrell
First District Public Affairs
A swarm of pucks scattered across the ice. Some zipped through the air, slamming into the walls around the rink. Others buzzed as they whipped past a heavily padded goalie into the net.
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| Baltimore forward Petty Officer 3rd Class Josh Connors, a reservist at Station Cape Cod Canal, Mass., attempts to steal the puck away from Air Station Traverse City defenseman Petty Officer 2nd Class Brad Bucklew, an avionics electrical technician at Air Station Traverse City, Mich., during the final game of the 2008 Commandant's Cup hockey tournament at the Gallo Ice Arena in Bourne, Mass., April 12, 2008. |
After a quick warm-up, the players are ready to begin the final game.
Eight Coast Guard hockey teams battled for the cup during the 14th annual Commandant's Cup hockey tournament at the Gallo Ice Arena in Bourne, Mass., April 11-12, 2008.
Over 100 active duty, reserve, retired and civilian personnel made up the First District, New England, Headquarters, Air Station Traverse City, Baltimore, Ninth District, Hampton Roads and Puddle Pirates teams, coming from as far away as Alaska.
"Everybody that comes here pays out of pocket," said Petty Officer 1st Class Kirk Souza, a New England player. "They come because they love to play the game."
New England started off strong, trouncing the First District team 3-0 in the first game. New England kept their momentum, defeating every team that came their way until the first game of the semi-finals when they were shut down by Air Station Traverse City.
"It was definitely a bummer not to make the finals," said Souza, a recruiter in Boston, "but it was nice to see all my shipmates again."
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| Air Station Traverse City goalie Cadet Phil Rodino, from the Coast Guard Academy, stops a puck as Balitmore forward Petty Officer 1st Class John Overholt, an aviation maintenance technician at Coast Guard AIr Station Cape Cod, Mass., watches in disappointment during the final game of the 2008 Commandant's Cup hockey tournament at the Gallo Ice Arena in Bourne, Mass., April 12, 2008. |
The original structure of the tournament required players to be stationed within about 100 miles from the unit they were playing for. As players transferred to other units and the tournament evolved, the rules changed to allow players to choose a team close to them or a team they had played on before.
"It's a good way to meet people," said Baltimore forward, Petty Officer 2nd Class Dennis Hammonds, a reservist at Coast Guard Station Woods Hole, Mass. "I came here knowing two people and left knowing about 15 or 20."
The tournament also supports the Coast Guard's wellness program.
"It promotes athleticism from non-rate through captain," said Hampton Roads defenseman, Capt. John Healey, the deputy commander at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England. "The tournament is great."
Though Hampton Roads excelled throughout the tournament, they did not make the finals. Baltimore demolished them in the second game of the semi-finals 11-1.
The tournament ended after Baltimore defeated Air Station Traverse City 4-2, clinching the championship and skating away with their third Cup.
"It was my first year playing," said Baltimore defenseman Seaman Stephen Kelley, from Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Team South Portland, Maine. "It was a good experience and felt great to win."
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| Team Baltimore brought home their third Cup after winning the Commandant's Cup hockey tournament April, 12, 2008, at the Gallo Ice Arena in Bourne, Mass. Back row from left: Petty Officer 2nd Class Matt Reynolds, Seaman Stephen Kelley, Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Palladino, Lt. j.g. Dewey Worker, Lt. Ryan Hamel, Petty Officer 1st Class John Overholt, Petty Officer 2nd Class Dennis Hammonds. Front row from left: Petty Officer 3rd Class Josh Connors, Petty Officer 3rd Class Pete Duggan, Lt. Rob Cole, Ensign Jeff Young, Cadet Tyler Kelley, Petty Officer 1st Class Nicholas Rago, Lt. Cmdr. Marc Devereaux. Front center: Zackary Devereaux. |
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