In the News

Harris leads Thrashers to Fitchburg Street Hockey title

Sentinel & Enterprise

Posted: 11/24/2011 06:36:42 AM EST

Submitted report

Ryan Harris potted four goals to lead the Eastwood Club Thrashers to an 8-4, title-clinching victory over the Team Sports Redwings in the Fitchburg Street Hockey League Penguin Division finals.

Collin Wilbur (assist), Camden Manning (assist) and Audry Cox each added a goal in Game 2 of the finals as the Thrashers swept the best-of-three championship series. Giovanni Long (assist), Colton White, Mike Cooper and Austin Fietz each scored once for the Redwings.

Wilbur and Harris each recorded a pair of goals to lead the way in a 4-2 win in Game 1. Aiden Plante scored for the Redwings in the loss.

The Thrashers reached the finals by defeating the St. Bernard's Penguins, 5-0, in a semifinal clash. Harris (2 goals), William Palmi, George Love and Sheridan Cormier each scored for St. Bernard's.

The Redwings, meanwhile, punched their ticket to the championship round with a 5-4 semifinal triumph over the TD Bank Flyers. Giovanni Long scored two goals, while Chris Cummings, Mike Cooper and Tristan Doiron added one apiece for the Redwings. Marty Stoucek had a hat trick and Mikey Arseneaux scored one goal for the Flyers.

BEAVER DIVISION

Adam Starr scored the game-winning goal in overtime as the St. Bernard's Beavers finished off a thrilling Beaver Division championship series with a 5-4 win over the Police Association Kings.

Starr finished the game with two goals and a pair of assists, while teammates Nick McDermott (assist),

Trevor MacMaster and Tim O'Connell added one goal apiece. The Kings were led by a pair of goals by Brandon Emery and solo tallies by Troy Brassard and Cody Wheeler.

In Game 1, O'Connell scored a pair of goals to lead the way in a 5-2 victory. MacMaster, McDermott and Patrick Bell chipped in with one goal each. Carly LeBlanc scored both goals for the Kings.

CADET DIVISION

It was more overtime drama in the Cadet Division, as Alex Landry potted an unassisted goal in the extra session to lift the Dunkin' Donuts Rangers to a 4-3 win over the Cleghorn Oil Hurricanes.

Landry scored two goals in the title-clinching, Game 2 win. Zach Finn and Tyler Allsobrooks each had one goal and one assist, while John LeShane and Chris Ayotte contributed with one assist each. Jack Cassidy scored two goals for the Hurricanes, and Jason Bugarin added one goal and a pair of assists.

Connor Cassaca netted a hat trick to lead the Rangers to a 5-2 Game 1 victory. Josh LeShane and Zack Finn each scored one goal as Dunkin' Donuts claimed an early series lead.

Game on following Eagle Scout's project

By Mackenzie Schroth, Correspondent

FITCHBURG -- Boy Scout Jason Bugarin,15, of Troup 41 Fitchburg gave back to his community this summer by replacing the benches, flooring, walls and roof for the street-hockey rinks in Coolidge Park.

The 435-hour renovation served as Bugarin's Eagle Scout project. It was completed with the help of 40 volunteers, whose efforts Bugarin orchestrated.

This project was especially meaningful to Bugarin and his parents, Michelle and Rob Tuttle, because he used to play street hockey at the rinks.

Michelle Tuttle recalled, "I found a picture of him (playing there) when he was about 4."

Jason's Eagle Project Being on the team was an integral part of Bugarin's childhood, and the rink and the league continue to be an important part of his life.

Bugarin said after he grew too old to play in the league, "I thought there was something I could do to give back."

His Eagle Scout project was the perfect opportunity. He began planning the renovations in April of last year.

Bugarin's friends and family, including fellow members of Troop 41, joined him. The physical work took 343 hours out of the 435 total that the volunteers donated. This was double what they had originally estimated, according to Lisa MacMaster, a Fitchburg Street Hockey committee member.

Despite the intensive manual labor, Jason said the hardest part was raising the funds and collecting the materials during these tough economic times. The project was completed through volunteer labor and donations from family and friends. The local business community provided sponsor fees, donated labor and sold the materials at cost.

Bugarin and the members of the Fitchburg Street Hockey League emphasized their gratitude for all the help and generosity they received. In particular, they wish to thank D&D Waste Removal, Maki Building Center, Workers Credit Union, JJ Roof and Gutter, Play It Again Sports, Subway, Gomes Liquor, Lowe's, Central Mass Oral Surgery, Team Sports and BSA Troop 41 In addition to this extensive list, Bugarin and the committee stressed that they "couldn't have done it without friends and family."

Bugarin says it feels great to be done with his Eagle Scout project. He explained that the project is meant to be an endeavor in which "you give back to the community and [which] is important to you."

Bugarin first joined the Scouts in 2001, at age 7, as a Tiger Scout. He is waiting to officially receive his new rank after his project is approved by a review board.

Only a sophomore, Bugarin says he's not sure what he wants to do for a career. He said he wants to go to college and major in either mathematics or science. In the opinion of the Fitchburg Street Hockey committee, he is off to a great start.

Jason's project means so much to the community, especially Fitchburg Street Hockey. Ashley Stefanilo, the secretary for the organization, explained, "He got a lot of things rolling [for us]. We can't say thank you enough."

The committee is now inspired to make further improvements to the rinks and to the league.

"It's nice to know that these kids aren't going to trip on the boards or get rained on," said Stefanilo when commenting on the state of the rinks before and after Bugarin's renovations.

"The project, in my view, was worth every moment," Bugarin said. "The project tests your leadership skills and teaches you what to expect as a leader in the workforce through the good and the bad times of being a leader."

Things are now coming full circle for Bugarin. He will once again be playing for Fitchburg Street Hockey. The committee is adding a new program for players ages 13 to 16. The other programs are for ages 4 to 12.

"We are able to give back to him by giving him free registration," Stefanilo said.

Registration for Fitchburg Street Hockey continues today at the rinks in Coolidge Park from 6 to 8 p.m. Signups will continue Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. The same times apply to next week. The registration fee is $60.

Fitchburg Street Hockey is a nonprofit organization.

For more photos of Jason's renovations, visit www.fitchburgstreethockey.com.

July 2, 2010 (Fitchburg Pride)

Perfect end to perfect season

The Subway Bruins (above) and Team Sports Red Wings (below) celebrate winning their respective divisions of the Fitchburg Street Hockey League. SUBMITTED PHOTOS The Subway Bruins celebrated victory in the Beaver Division championship game of the Fitchburg Street Hockey League by beating Gomes Package Raiders in a two game series to keep their perfect record for the season of 15-0-0.

In the Penguin Division, Team Sports Red Wings swept St. Bernard’s 6-1 and 6-0 in the best of three series to remain undefeated at 13-0. The team was led by Alex Jeffries with two hat tricks in the series, Eamon Doheny, who played strong defense with a nagging injury, and Derek MacMaster, who only allowed one goal against St. Bernard’s. Other scorers were Doheny, Adam Starr, Declan Fitzpatrick, and Michael Ginnity.

The Red Wings team exemplified teamwork, as 11 of the 13 players scored goals this season. This is the second consecutive year the Red Wings went undefeated on the season.

November 20, 2009 (Fitchburg Pride)

HOCKEY HEROICS

PENGUIN DIVISION
Te
STB 1	9	1	0	16
Eastwood Club	7	2	1	15
STB 2	6	3	1	13
JBM	3	7	0	4
TD Bank	1	9	0	2
Midtown	1	9	0	2

Beaver Division
Te
STB	9	1	0	18
Police Assoc.	8	2	0	16
Firefighters	2	8	0	4
Subway	1	9	0	2

The St. Bernard’s Beaver Division team won the 2009 Fall Playoffs in dramatic fashion with a 4-3 overtime win against the Police Association Kings. After falling behind 2-0, STB rallied and went up 3-2 until the King’s Zach Keating tied the score at 3 all, with three minutes to play. After a long rally in their own offensive zone, STB’s Nick Boivin scored the winning goal in overtime. STB swept their two playoff rivals to end their season at 13-1.

October 31, 2008 (Fitchburg Pride)

Food, gear stolen at street hockey HQ
BY KAREN MANN KMANN@FITCHBURGPRIDE.COM

The blockhouse at the Fitchburg Street Hockey League headquarters at Coolidge Park was recently broken into, with concession food and drinks, and league equipment stolen. PRIDE PHOTO / KAREN MANN

The Fitchburg Street Hockey League took its worst loss of the season two weeks ago when the blockhouse was broken into and burglarized.

According to Police Capt. Philip Kearns, the Fitchburg Police Department received a call on Oct. 15 that items had been stolen from the concession stand and blockhouse, which sits between the two street hockey rinks at Coolidge Park.

Meghan Northway, a coach, league secretary, and member of the Board of Directors, said that all of the food and candy for concessions was taken.

Northway said the loss of concessions is a serious hit to the league, which has two divisions playing in the fall season that will soon end, and had three age groups playing in the spring. She didn't have an estimate on how much revenue the league would lose, but said it will be significant.

"It's very important because all of the proceeds go back to the kids. It goes right back to the league," Northway said. "With that money we're able to run the league. No one down there is paid, it's all volunteers. Any money we make goes back to the community, to the kids."

Kearns estimates the monetary loss to be in the hundreds. Along with the food, hockey equipment, including sticks and a coach's bag, were also taken from the blockhouse.

Northway said it is not uncommon for league officials to leave stuff in the blockhouse.

"It's all locked up," Northway said. "It's our home away from home."

According to Kearns there was forced entry into the building.

Northway said leads are tough to come by, considering how busy the blockhouse is.

"It's so random," she said, "And because of the amount of people we have down there, the police are saying even if they took fingerprints, it would be pointless because of all the volunteers and the coaches who are in there."

Kearns said it happens from time to time, but it is not that common for people to break into the concession stands in Fitchburg.

"The Little League and Street Hockey Association have done what they can to make it burglar proof," said Kearns. "It's unfortunate because all this stuff is for the benefit of kids and youth sports and these people running it are parents."

Police and officials from the street hockey league ask that anyone with information contact the Fitchburg Police Department at (978) 345-9648.

Beaver Division

June 13, 2008 (Fitchburg Pride)

In the Beaver Division, the Gomes Package Raiders topped the 50/50 Diner Bulldogs, 2-1, to win the title. Josh Jordan scored one goal for the Raiders, while Colton Mailloux netted the gamewinner on a pass from Zack Keating. Nick Lanni scored for the Bulldogs. The Raiders finish the season at 6-1-3.

The Raiders moved into the championship game of the Beaver Division street hockey league after beating the Godin Construction Kings, 6-2. Keating led the offensive attack for the Raiders by netting three goals, while Jordan added two goals and an assist. Jason Bugarin also scored a goal.

Penguin Division

June 6, 2008 (Fitchburg Pride)

Street Hockey Playoffs

Mid Town Beef goalie Travis Chesbrough (photo above) can't make the save - but is saved by the post - on a shot by Subway Sabre Jack Lanni (number 17) during Fitchburg Street Hockey League playoff action Wednesday night. Justin Boisvenue of Mid Town is psyched after finding the back of the net (photo below).

Chipmunk Division

May 9, 2008 (Fitchburg Pride)

Chipmunk street hockey players chase the puck during a game this week. With three age levels, the Fitchburg Street Hockey League has a busy spring schedule.