|
West Point Junior Black Knights Hockey Take to the Ice at Madison Square Garden
What a 2006/2007 season for the mites of the West Point Junior Black Knights (JBK) hockey team. These 8 years and younger hockey players have been skating at Tate Rink, West Point, since September. The kids are from West Point, Garrison and the surrounding areas. They compete against top teams from the Hudson Valley Region, however, the most exciting game of the season was an intra-squad match up in the Little Rangers Program courtesy of parent Ethan Rockmore's initiative to arrange this special evening for the JBK families.
On March 19th, 2007 these young Black Knights traveled, with family and friends, to the heart of New York City to play a game in "The World's Most Famous Arena", Madison Square Garden (MSG). With sticks in hand and hockey bags dangling over their shoulders, the team was led into the 8 Penn Plaza entrance by Head Coach Greg Williams, while Assistant Coaches Dave Monroe, Kurt Heitman, Greg Boylan and Jason Affolder ensured the group stayed together.
Pedestrians passing by had to be impressed by the poise of these young athletes. Forwards Kelsey McEvoy and Spencer Rockmore and Defensemen Drew Homola, Luke O'Conner and Daniel Heitmann, all from Garrison, looked ready to play as they entered the arena. The Rangers first period of action was the only thing that stood in their way.
The team entered into the caverns of "The Garden" reserved for players, coaches and staff. On this night, they were players. The mites suited up during the first period of the Rangers vs. Penguins game. Coach Williams reviewed their assignments. After a full season of practice and drills, they knew exactly how to play their positions. After Coach Williams finished going over all the remaining assignments, he gave his spirited pep talk punctuated with one common message used for all games, "Have Fun!" The Rangers first period would end scoreless, which meant one thing, Game On!
Most of the 18,200 spectators were still seated as the JBK mites came out. A quick glance up showed the team at center ice captured on the overhead scoreboard's HDTV. They were all smiling as they made their way onto the ice. A steady roar was heard from the crowd. White team goaltender Donnie Feldman would make a save on Kelsey McEvoy and defenseman Peter Walker would then quickly clear the puck to Drew Homola. The blue team goaltender Abby Boylan would treat us to a Henrik Lundqvist impersonation, kick saving a blast from the left wing that was quickly cleared out by defenseman Daniel Heitmann to Luke O'Conner and then to Spencer Rockmore. This would preserve the final zero to zero score.
The next big ovation came as the team returned to their seats midway through the second period, all proudly wearing their Black Knights jerseys. The evening's excitement was not over. The MSG cameraman would capture the team cheering for the Rangers on the overhead scoreboard. Also with the score tied at 1-1 and 33.8 seconds left in the third period, Jaromir Jagr's centering pass ricocheted off Penguins' defenseman Rob Scuderi for the game winner. It was definitely the game of the year, and the Rangers game was pretty good as well.
| Click ads below
for larger version
System and Method for Display
Ads have a Patent Pending.
Click Here for More Information
|
