Piper Tom Leads Us On...

The Final Minute...

Award Ceremony at Smithfield

2009 New England Regional Champions

Pirate Power is only exceeded by the Pirate Pride their families take in the Squirts for their incredible accomplishments this season.

A Championship Effort

'This can't be beat' reflected Nana Lucy aloud as the plastic covering the window vibrated deafeningly as she and the (not so) 'grumpy geriatric' trundled down I95 from their glorious weekend in crime ridden Smithfield, Rhode Island. "Lu, you got that wrong 'THEY can't be beat, and they proved it!' bellowed the 'hooting heckler.' For the second consecutive tournament our beloved Pearl River Pirates rose to the occasion by sweeping the entire field, capturing both the New York State and now, New England Regional title for Squirt III players. A ten game winning streak against the top opposition in their age group. Their title winning effort this afternoon against Darien Connecticut was indeed championship calibre. The (4-0) blanking was richly deserved. The Pirates stormed out of the gate and dominated the Blues for most of the period. Yet it was the spectacular net minding of Sean Gordon who preserved the 1-0 lead the Bucs took into the first intermission on the strength of a Ryan McLinskey highlight goal. 'Rushin' Ryan' picked up an errant pass in the neutral zone, and as his team was on a change, released a rocket from 45 feet that whistled by the unprepared goalie. Then, Gordon came up big on two breakaway opportunities as he turned aside uncontested screamers. Ninety seconds into the second session Dolan Ocasal lit the lamp for the Pirates, to be followed three minutes later by a CJ Greco goal. Luke Myers netted the final goal of the game (and season) at the seven minute mark of period two. Yeoman efforts by Anthony Margiotta, Ciran McEnroe, Liam McCullough, Dillon Krok, Michael Ruthberg were cheered by the rabid Pirate Fanatics during the waning minutes of the game as these kids went hard to the net and mucked the corners. On the back line Brian 'Double 8's Quinn led the attack out of the zone and quarterbacked the power play as never before. The tandem on 'd' of Owen McGee and 'Cuz' CJ McGee are impenetrable with their poke checking and ability to force attackers wide. As the Hooter left the parking lot he yelled to Coaches Tom McEnroe, Larry and Chris McGee "You guys have an extra GPS? I know you have a Great Pirate System... and don't forget to call your buddy Drury, he's from the Darien area!"

"Thank God...

I can use a few minutes alone."

Relentless...

Live Free or DIE

The Pearl River Pirates defeated the Back Bay Indians out of Wolfsboro New Hampshire in the first semi-final of the Northeast Regional played as the sun was rising this morning. It was the first time in the Hooter's memory that the 13 member squad competed against a team with fewer members (12). Kudos to the Indians who gave a credible fight before falling gamely (4-1) before the constant barrage of Buc snipers. The Pirates opened a 2-0 lead at the end of the first period on goals by Dolan Ocasal and CJ Greco. Greco restored the two goal lead before the close of the middle session countering the early 2nd period score by the Indians. Michael Ruthberg's third period tally sealed the deal for the Pirates who now advance to the Regional final to be played this afternoon. Their opponent will be the winner of the game between the Maine Maniacs and Darien Connecticut. Nana Lucy noted to the 'grumpy geriatric' as the happy group of Pirate fans exited the Smithfield arena, "Too pooped to hoot?" "Nah, retorted the notorious 'garrulous grouch,' first the Hoot must Poop... then I can root."

'Hooter' Girls?!?

"Don't worry Hooter. We'll help you."

The Only Loss

"I'm ticked now at these uppity hicks."

This One's for You Mary Jo

"Let's just say 'it's no Chappaquiddick" chortled the 'Hooter' to the unhappy Andover Massachusetts fan as he left the Smithfield arena. Her Warriors had been steam rolled by the band of 13 squirts out of Rockland County, NY. "I thought Rockland was a beautiful community on the coast of Maine" she had inquired before the 'grumpy geriatric' leveled her aristocratic aura, just as the Bucs laid waste to her team (7-1). "And we don't have Prep Schools there either" smirked the 'gregarious grouch' before she could again suggest that the Pirates were too good to play in this tournament. The 'Hooter' was feeling his oats after this mauling. Seven different scorers hit the twine in an awesome display of passing and puck control. The Pirates withstood three consecutive penalties in the first five minutes of the game. Their growing confidence in their defense enabled a consistent attack to develop over the next two and on-half periods. As the team convened in the parking lot 'Hooter' remarked to #22, "Dill, when your first shot hit the goalie square in the face mask - and he didn't react - it reminded me of the scurrilous Ted Kennedy not doing anything to save that girl. But that's another story. He's just one of Mass' two shits!"

"The Pirates Win, but...

"Girls Rule, Hooter!"

The Results of Pirate Power

Rhode Island vanquished.

Mighty Max McGee

"Hooter, this is my prediction."

Asked, and Answered

"There's a reason you're the smallest state in the union" heckled the 'bearded blowhard' as the fans exited the Smithfield Arena. The Pirates had laid the wood, check that, make that- the fiberglass on the Cranston Rhode Island Flames (6-0) in a lopsided affair. Our band of Bucs rang the bell for three scores in the opening period and continued with a furious assault on the beleaguered Flame goalie until the final horn sounded. Waves of Pirate attackers swarmed around the offensive end unchecked for a good portion of this contest. The siege easily could have resulted in a dozen goals. The 'Hooter' and the cheer leading bevy of beauties on the Pirate sideline had much to be proud of as Pirate Power was on full display. As the team exited the ice the 'boisterous blogger' reminded all, "I predicted this last night at the team party... a Shutout." Nana Lucy reminded the jubilant Pirate crowd of her equally accurate call: "Four beers in the Hooter by eight; asleep by ten."

"That's All She Wrote"

'Hooter' sang, "Maine, Maine go away, come back another day!"

Maniacal Finish

Pirate onslaught in 3rd period resulted in 4 goals in 5 minutes

Nice Change, Coach

"Sometimes it seems like there is more of us than them."

...it's how you finish.

"No, I am EGO-maniac!" retorted the 'Hooter' to a coterie of disgruntled Maine Maniac parents and fans who had watched their team absorb an unexpected and unrelenting counter attack by the Pearl River Pirates in the opening game of the New England Championship for Squirt Tier III teams. The Bucs had fallen behind two nothing after one period to the team from Lewiston Me. The Pirate opening salvo during the first three minutes of action was for naught. Six minutes into the contest Maine got on the board first as a result of a turn over in the defensive zone. Before the period ended Sean Gordon was beaten for a second goal on a deflection from the point. Honeymoon over! The Bucs knotted the score at two at the end of the second period on the strength of goals by CJ Greco and Dolan Ocasal. The transition game that had been so effective for the Maniacs was rendered moot by the revivified and relentless forecheck of the Pirates. Dillon Krok ripped a wrister from the right circle past a stunned Maniac net minder four minutes into to the third period. A neat conversion by Ocasal opened a two goal lead. The coup de gras was CJ Greco scoring unassisted while the Bucs were down a man with four minutes remaining. As the 'Hooter' retreated to the friendly confines of the Pirate fan base from the despirited group from the Pine Tree State, Greco completed his hat trick. The 'geriatric grampa' was heard taunting the fans from 'down east' as they exited the Smithfield Arena, "(6-2), and your two senators stink too!"

O'Reilly

'Dad, I am insulted that you referred to a 'feline' in today's blog. What about me. And it's almost St. Patrick's Day. You Hoot for our team, why won't you Bark at the opposition!?!'

Pirate Attack

Pressure applied in third period resulted in a 3rd soft goal that gave them the tie.

"Stealing One"

The Pearl River Pirates returned to their home rink this date to meet the Mamaroneck Tigers, a Tier II program that competes in Westchester and Long island NY leagues. The Tigers, like our Bucs, were tuning up for close-of-season tournament play. Our squad will complete in the New England Regional this weekend in Smithfield R.I. while the Tigers will trundle off to the Harrisburg Pa. invitational. The Pirates came out flying and opened up a 2-0 lead on the strength of first period goals by CJ Greco and Dillon Krok. The Mamaroneck contingent responded quickly and often in the middle period with three unanswered tallies. They demonstrated superior break-out ability from the defensive zone and nifty stick handling putting their pucks behind a largely unsupported Sean Gordon. Dolan Ocasal's hustle resulted in the Tiger turnover that knotted the score at three. But it took another 'rock' from Krok (more like a pebble thru the 5 hole) to match a third period score by Mamaroneck to give the Pirates a well earned (4-4) tie to complete their season at Sport-o-Rama. The 'Hooter' credits this point to the outstanding clutch net minding by Sean 'the Cat' Gordon who kept the Tiger's at bay by denying them numerous scoring opportunities with his quick glove and rapid lateral movements. This was in stark contrast to the three soft goals yielded by the Tiger goalie.

Our New York State Champions

Thank you for all the enjoyment you gave your parents and fans through your hard work.

Caught in the Act

"You're damn right: I do GIVE A HOOT. Thanks for joining in the fun."

Chit Chat

"

"I told CJ that if he didn't do something spectacular his mother was going to be taunted in the blog."

Crunch Time Virtuoso

The championship game exceeded the expectations of the 'Hooter' and most likely those of all Pirate and Stampede parents fans in attendance. The Center State team that had played so ineffectively against the Bucs the day before, must have gained great confidence in their victory over the previously undefeated Pelham team in their semi-final. That swagger grew as the Pirates got off to a particularly slow start in the opening period that ended with the teams tied at one on the strength of a CJ Greco goal which offset a Stampede power play score. Defenders were falling, open passes were missed, and shots went wide. What was going on here? Indeed, the 'grumpy geriatric' had thoughts of Marlborough revisited. And this ride is 300, not 200 hundred miles! Emboldened by their having stymied the Pirate attack the Stampede continued their opportunistic play with a second goal, again on the power play in the middle stanza to take a 2-1 lead into the final twelve minutes of play. And then a "It's A Wonderful Life" moment struck. During the unexpected resurfacing of the ice between periods 2 and 3 the 'Hooter' met his Clarance. The 'Yonkers Yakker' thinking he was had engaged a Stampede parent in conversation actually chatted up the father of the 13 year old youngster who was refereeing the game. To paraphrase this sage observer of youth hockey: "Blue will win this game...I've seen over 100 games my kid has officiated this year. White's spent, just watch." Barely turning his head back to watch the resumption of play in the third period, CJ Greco knotted the score on a great Luke Myers feed. Greco's spin-a-rama move at the crease (that proved the game winner) was the highlight goal of the season for this old timer. The artistry continued with a Greco conversion of a Krok pass to complete the natural hat trick and make it a 4 STAR performance. Anthony Margiotta put the cherry on this (5-2) classic by notching the final tally. As the old man headed down a rainy route 17 he turned to the bewildered Nana Lucy, "You know, it feels like Christmas to me. An angel got his wings tonight, for sure."

BrainTrust

"Chris, if this doesn't work out for the Squirts... is there a Plan B? And YOU have to tell Greg!"

"Getting the message - finally"

"Yeah, but maybe we have to bring this sign back to the hotel."

Enough Said?

What's for Lunch?

"See, Lucy, I told you there was an advantage to being on the first floor" howled the 'Hooter' in the car on his way to the One PM semi-final matchup between The Pirates and the Tri-Town Timberwolves. "The Hooter was ejected because he didn't read 'Zero Tolerance' on the wall, but the good doctor who can read an X-Ray and an MRI, she was almost busted in the hall" sang the 'grinning grandpa.' 'That happy mood was soon validated at the Myrtle Merritt Rink as our Band of Bucs laid waste another representative from the north country. Tri-Town? As in Schenectady, Troy, Colonie? No. Try-Again. It's Winthrop, Brasher and North Florence in St. Lawrence County on the banks of lake Ontario. "Our lads put more pucks on their net, than they receive in feet of snow each year" quipped Steve McCullough at the conclusion of the 6-0 shutout. Poppa Ed Gritz quipped, "Hooter, Dillon out-shot their team 8-6... at least that was close!" In the other semi-final the Pelham Penguins were upset by the Center State Stampede squad (3-2) who were pillaged by the Pirates yesterday. "Let's go wolf down some chow at Appplebees now, boys" commented Coach McEnroe, "we don't want to have to stampede back to the arena later! Coach Quinn reminded all, "Be wary of a defeated opponent. Their memories are often long and their tempers likely short."

Their 'Wall' of Support

"Like, ah, go HOME?!?

Rushin' Ryan

"Can you say, 'knife through butter'?

Pirate Power

Ryan seemed to be everywhere

The Rockets Red Glare

The Batavia Ramparts was the only team on the Pirates dance card this date. The western regional representative presented a new challenge to our baker's dozen skaters. The Ramparts enjoyed brief one-to-nothing and two-to-one leads in the opening period that were countered by goals by Dolan Ocasal and Ryan McLinskey. From the drop of the puck in the second period the Pirate Express began to roll uncontested in the offensive zone. The Rampart net minder practically had to stand on his head to keep the score respectable as the Pirates marauded around the net during the final two periods. Michael Ruthberg and Dillon Krok dented the twine to supplement two more McLinskey goals in this resounding (6-2) victory. In winning all three games against their group opponents the Bucs are poised to play Tri-Town in the second semi-final tomorrow. As the 'Hooter' exited the arena he informed a few awe struck Batavian parents, "perhaps you should rename your team; at least when you play us. How about "Sieve." There was no rampart defending your goalie tonight!"

The General with His troops

"When do I pull on the reins in this one?"

The Blue Bombers

"Attack, Attack, Attack!"

Eight is Enough

"Coach, do I really have to finish the game against these guys."

Pillage and Pummel

"Yeah it was a Stampede alright...the entire second period toward the Center State net" smirked the 'Hooter.' The Pirates came out smoking, dominating most of the first period but still only skated off the ice with a 1-0 lead. The lads swarmed a beleaguered Stampede net in the middle session netting six goals to enter the final period with an insurmountable 7-1 advantage. The Hooter had plenty to howl about with Luke Myers getting a hat trick and Anthony Margiotta and Liam McCullough both notching two goals apiece. CJ Greco netted the other score. Although the Pirate offense was very potent, equally strong play from their defensive stalwarts stymied attack after attack assuring a likely Pirate victory midway through the contest. The Hooter received in-game counseling and redirection from Mark Myers so as not to have any rabbit-eared referee interpret Hooter's "Luuuuuuuuuke" as a boo. Sandy Margiotta remained near the Hooter at all times with therapeutic dosage of prescription Valium in her purse should need arise. Dr. Michelle Greco said "Psychotropics, no problem - Steve needs them regularly." Kelly Ocasal's promise of a post game hot chocolate and oreos did the most to get the 'grumpy geriatric' through the entire game without ejection.

The Crime Scene

"Misdemeanor in the stands, felony on the ice."

Strategy Session

"It's either this defensive alignment or we jostle the net when they're in the zone."

A Dominant Performance

"All Pirates, All the Time"

The Hoot Gets the Boot

"And what, pray tell, were you saying about me and Anger Management, old man" quipped Ray Krok with a twinkle in his eye. "Bet you're glad you didn't pay to get in" chimed in Terry McLinskey. "If you need a good lawyer...then, I'll help you find one" chirped Steve Greco. All because of the Hooter's cameo appearance at the opening game of the New York State Squirt A Championships being held this weekend in the Ira Wilson rink on the grounds of SUNY Geneseo. Indeed barely six minutes into the first period the 'grumpy geriatric was a goner - ejected by 'referee rabbit-ears. The Pearl River Pirates had already opened up a 3-0 lead on the Norfolk-Norwood Icemen when the 'bearded blogger' was given the heave ho for challenging the official's judgment in blowing down the play in the offensive zone because the goalie had dislodged the net from the goal line (a second time in three minutes) while the Pirates maintained control of the puck. The Hooter watched the balance of the (8-1) thrashing administered to the western NY team from the corridors outside the arena as six different Bucs netted goals. Nana Lucy reported that the auditorium was abuzz with rumor that a second ejection would mean expulsion from New York State for the 'boisterous behemoth.' To wit the Hooter responded in Dirty Harry Callahanese, "Make my day - I haven't paid my taxes yet and I have a Florida residence!"

These Girls Rule

"Who knew, 'Hooter'?! This should've been a photo of the Squirts in a victory pose. But we, like all the moms on the team, champion our sons' efforts."

Mikey Knows

"Win some, Lose Some"

Another Fishing Story...

"Well Pop Tom" quipped Nana Lucy as they began their 200 mile retreat to Rockland County as the snow began in earnest minutes after the final ceremonies at the N.E. Sports Center, "how are you gonna 'splain this?" Nice try," retorted the 'grumpy geriatric' "but I ain't no Ricky Ricardo, Lucy." Yes, the Pearl River Pirate Squirt A team came ever so close to completing the Hat Trick; joining the Mites and Pee Wee travel teams as tournament champions. But it was not to be. Their valiant fight ended at 23 seconds of the third overtime period in their 6-5 defeat at the hands of the Hetland Panthers. The New Bedford, Ma. squad proved equal to the task, rallying twice from two goal deficits to win this thriller on a power play shot from the point passed a screened Liam McCullough. Our lads demonstrated their own come back ability forcing overtime on the strength of a Ryan McLinksey goal midway through the third period to stop the bleeding. Our 4-2 lead had become a one goal deficit in the span of three minutes late in the second and early in the final period. As the two weary travelers pulled into the driveway and color began to appear in the white knuckles of the driver, the 'boisterous blogger' waxed philosophical. "Losing is what makes winning so special. Imagine the opportunity this presents the team for next week at the State Championships." Nana poked the old man and said, "I get it... that is why you go fishing day after day, even when you come home empty handed with another 'one that got away story." Responded the 'Hooter,' "Yup, every day the boat starts and I get home safely, every day that we enjoy a youth hockey game and we get home safely, God has blessed us."

Future Groupies?

"Sure it was a good game, but we've got better things to do... remember 'Girls (of all ages) Rule!'

On the Road to the Finals

"They call this tournament 'the March Classic.' Today is March first. They just saw a classic" bellowed the 'Hooter' to no one in particular. The 'grumpy geriatric' was reveling in the dominating performance displayed by the Pearl River Pirate Squirt A team against their league opponent, the Millbrook Knights who had also made the trip to the New England Sports Center for this annual season ending tournament. The Pirates came out flying, opening a three to one lead at the end of one period. The motivation no doubt was that the loser of this game would be eliminated from championship game consideration. Pirates were on the attack constantly and were seldom threatened in the defensive zone. A last minute Knight score made the game appear closer than it actually was. The Bucs were near flawless in their play in a decisive (5-2) victory over an opponent who had played them tough in league competition. "This was the de facto league championship game of the Hudson Valley League" pontificated the 'Hooter' to a smiling Chris McGee at games conclusion. "You're right on top of things" crowed the winning coach. "We won our divisional championship (Canadian); they won theirs (American). I guess we'll call this win: "The North American Cup!" This bodes well for the squad who is now assured of a berth in the finals to be played later today.