Frank Vatrano - Hitting Stride With Bruins?

Frank Vatrano

Hitting Stride With Bruins? 

Frank Vatrano was looking good and all set for his first full year with the Boston Bruins. He was in great shape.  Yet the East Longmeadow, MA native had a major set back in pre-season practice with torn ligaments in his left foot that required surgery. He came back earlier than expected and played 2 games with the AHL Providence Bruins Team, scored a goal in each game, and that was certainly a positive sign.

Yet NESN Bruin's Announcers, Billy Jafee and Andy Brickley, both warned that after missing pre-season and early games it wasn't going to be easy for Frank. You can be fully recovered and in shape, but being in "game shape" and having your legs ready is a different story and that happens only after actually playing in NHL games. They proved to be right.

The Boston Bruins were lingering around 3rd place in the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division, but it was evident that they needed the type of scoring punch that Vatrano can bring. In his first game against the Florida Panthers on December 12 he didn't disappoint. He scored a goal in his first game with his patented quick release thunder shot from the front right side of the net. It ended up being a good 3-1 win for the Bruins. It was pretty amazing for him to do that in his first game and also be part of a win.

Yet in the first 3 games you could see the progression of game shape and experience that Jafee and Brickely talked about. Vatrano's movements out there on the ice began to become quicker / faster and more instinctive, but it took actual game playing to accomplish this. The Bruins lost the next 2 very close games...2-3 OT loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, and a 4-3 loss to a very good Columbus Blue Jacket Team that had won 12 games in a row. The Bruins came back after being down 0-3 in the first period, an exciting game to watch.

Last night Vatrano seemed to be fully back and hitting stride. He had 2 assists in a 4-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres, but it was more than the assists. He appeared to very active around the net, as well as on the open ice..very involved in the play and contributing.

Let's see....4 games...a goal and 2 assists, for 3 points and a +2 rating. Not bad! We are talking about the NHL here!

Go Frank !

Alfredo DiLascia

Image News Service

Sports Media: Anti-Prayer, Anti-Christian, Anti-God

The proof, as always, is in their actions. Whether it be ESPN, ABC, NBC, HBO, or Fox Sports television. Or whether it be in the print sports media such as Sports Illustrated, USA Today Sports, ESPN the Magazine, Inside Sports, the Sporting News, and many others, they are all anti-Christian and really anti-God. In fact with Sports Illustrated pushing their "Swim Suit" edition is much more important to them. Now THERE is a positive influence on our young people involved in or interested in sports.

A major happening before and after games, related to sports, are prayers and religious services of all faiths that occur routinely. If nothing else one would think that this would be a very relevant human interest story...it is news. Yet any mention or coverage of this is avoided like the plague by the sports media. Athletes in Action is a highly regarded sports ministry where there is a player initiated tradition and practice of prayer before and after games. During this time of such division in our country this is a wonderful sign of unity of faith. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is still another organization promoting prayer before and after games. Often after a game players from both teams will hold hands in prayer...what a wonderful example for our young people! Yet the television cameras will quickly turn away, even though this is VERY relevant news related to sports.

Often after a game, or a boxing match, the star of the game or winner is interviewed. The athlete will begin the interview by thanking God...saying such things as "I would like to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ"...or some other reference to God. You can tell that the interviewer is VERY uncomfortable with this and their body language revels this, as well as quickly moving on to another subject. I am sure that they are directed to be this way by their network management who pays their salaries.

Nowhere has the anti-Christian, anti-God bias been revealed than that related to Tim Tebow. Tebow was an up and coming football sensation at the University of Florida as a quarterback. He was a multiple All-American pick, Heisman Trophy winner, 2 time National Champion at Florida, 2 time Maxwell Trophy Winner, Davey O'Brien Award Winner, Manning Award Winner, multiple selections as the Player of the Year...and there was much more. Most importantly, he was a winner and any coach, any team looks for that. He was an up and coming star for sure. But two things started to happen. The first thing is it was obvious that the sports media were VERY uncomfortable with him kneeling and praying on the sidelines...and his references to God while being interviewed. The topper, however, is that a Christian group, Focus on the Family, put forth a Super Bowl ad that briefly indicated that his mother while doing missionary work in the Philistines contracted amoebic dysentery while pregnant and doctors suggested an abortion. She refused and the result was Tim Tebow! For the sports media and the far left this was intolerable and there were cries to boycott the Super Bowl. For the far left, make no mistake about it, abortion is their Holy Grail.

 

The whole attitude toward Tebow started to change. Suddenly well known sportscasters began criticizing his abilities. It was a constant barrage and flow of negativism about Tim Tebow...on television, in print...everywhere. This previously up and coming sensation was suddenly persona non grata with the media. In fact it was popular to criticize his abilities and they received a "star" if they did, it was career enhancing to do so. Don't get me wrong, like any player in the NFL there are pluses and minuses when it comes to Tim Tebow. Yet to poison the water about Tebow before he ever gets a chance, to stack the deck with negativism was a terrible thing to do...yet that is exactly what they did. Shame on ALL of them!

if I were an owner and head coach of an NFL Team, Tim Tebow would be on my team. He brings character to the team, something that seems increasingly absent in the NFL. He is a winner, and possesses that certain something that brings about a winning team. At 6' 4" and 245 lbs he is a major force...and he always stays in shape. He can run and he can throw. I would have devised an offense around his positive abilities, whether that be some kind of "wildcat" offense or other new innovative offense. If I were an owner or head coach, by now I would have won a Super Bowl with Tim Tebow.

Sports News in America IS anti-Christian and anti-God. And there is PLENTY proof of this...just open up your eyes and ears. 

Western Mass Treasure Chest of Hockey Players

Western Mass Hockey Players Update - Professional, College, and College Bound

Danny Petrick - Outstanding defensive player who can also put up points. While still in high school Danny played, and played well, for the Springfield Pics in the USPHL Premier Division, a very fast and physical brand of East Coast Junior Hockey. Now in preparing for his college commitment at Northeastern University in the tough Hockey East Conference, he is playing for the Austin (Minnesota) Bruins in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). He is continuing to put up points as a defensive player with 7 goals and 5 assists so far this season. He was selected as the NAHL - Bauer Defensive Player of the Month for his 4 goals and 2 assists in a single month.

Charlie Kelleher - One of the most impressive up and coming players. He is committed to the University of New Hampshire in following his brother, Tyler. My own opinion, he could be playing and starring for them now! He is currently playing for the Tri-City Storm in the USHL with 17 points in 21 games. That ain't easy to do in that league.

Tyler Kelleher - University of New Hampshire, burning up Hockey East and Division I College Hockey with 30 points in 16 games, including 12 goals and 18 assists. He is second in the nation in points, only 1 behind the leader. The NHL is nuts if they don't draft him!

Mickey Foley - Skidmore College, a solid player as a junior for Skidmore with a respectable 6-4-1 record with some impressive wins.

Ryan Cloonan - Boston University, a sophomore forward for BU in the tough Hockey East Conference with a record of 8-4-2. BU is 5th ranked nationally in DI Hockey.

Cullen Geary - Bowdoin College, a solid defensive player for the Polar Bears who now have a record of 3-4 so far this season. Cullen is a junior.

Dominic Blad - UMass Boston. A freshman on what could be a very good team with a lot of freshmen players on the roster. Last year UMass played in the D III Frozen Four at Lake Placid. There is little doubt that Coach Peter Belisle will have this nationally ranked team in the hunt for post season play by season's end.

Anthony Blad - Senior at Suffield High, playing with the Springfield Pics in the USPHL has now evolved to become a solid defensive player. In contact with several DI and DIII colleges for Engineering and hockey.

Peter Crinella - Holy Cross College, now a sophomore after being a rare true freshman with no Junior play. Scored goals recently against Notre Dame and the Air Force Academy. The Crusaders have a 6-5-3 record.

Matt Foley - Yale University, doing an amazing job with a lot of playing time as a freshman. He has 2 assists in 9 games as a freshman defensive player.

Sean Kavanagh - Tufts University, a solid defensive player as a senior for Tufts that has a very respectable record of 5-1-1 to date. Sean has 5 points in 7 games so far.

Jack Williams - Franklin Pierce University. The Ravens have a 6-6 record so far this year. Jack is a sophomore defensive player with 3 assists so far. A tragedy earlier this year with the sudden, unexpected passing of the head coach.

Bryce Peritz - Suffolk University. Bryce is a freshmen defensive player for Suffolk with a record of 3-6-3 so far this season.

Austin Orszulak - American International College. Austin is a senior, Captain of the Yellow Jackets, and has 5 goals and 2 assists thus far in the season.

Artie Potter - UMass Amherst Club, wanted to concentrate on his Engineering studies as a freshman, but now as a sophomore (no surprise) is a standout on the UMass Team.

Tanner Zacharewicz, Kyle Zacharewicz UMass Dartmouth. Tanner is a senior and Kyle a junior, both solid players for UMass. It was fun seeing the brothers play in the same line vs. UMass Boston.

Joe Mazza - Western New England University. Joe is a sophomore defensive player for the Golden Bears. He has 3 assists so far this season on a team with a 4-6-1 record.

Frank Vatrano - Boston Bruins. Injured, but will be back on the ice in December for the Bruins. The Bruins can definitely use his ability to score.

Barry Almeida* - A 2 time National Champion with Boston College, Barry now plays professional hockey with the Coventry Blaze, British Elite Hockey League. He has 2 goals and 5 assists in 6 games so far, not bad!

Willy Smith - playing hockey for the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL, he has 3 goals and 4 assists so far.

Johnny Leonard - Can't wait to see him play for UMass Amherst ! He is currently playing in the USHL for the Green Bay Gamblers where he has 8 goals and 4 assists in 23 games so far.

Keith Petruzzelli - In preparing for his college career at Quinnipiac he is currently playing for the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL. Definite NHL interest in Keith.

DJ Petruzzelli - DJ is currently playing for the Springfield Jr. Blues in the North American Hockey League. He also had some great experience last season playing in the British Columbia Hockey League, all in prep for his college career at Quinnipiac.

Jake Ryczek - Providence bound, drafted by the NHL Chicago Black Hawks, now playing with the Watererloo Black Hawks in the USHL.

TJ Syner* - Former UMass star, pro hockey with the Coventry Blaze, British Elite Hockey League. A teammate of Barry Almeida.

Coaches / Scouts - RECRUIT Western Mass ! A smart move. 

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* It would be nice to see Barry Almeida and TJ Syner be considered for the Springfield Thunderbirds in the AHL. Both excellent players and a good marketing move to have Western Mass players on the team.

Most all of the above players play in the Olympia Ice Center's (West Springfield, MA) Summer A League, one of the best off season hockey leagues in the nation. Look at the talent !

It is also fun to see many of the above players compete against each other in the USHL and in college. Recently Peter Crinella (Holy Cross) played against Matt Foley (Yale) in the Shillelagh Tournament at Notre Dame. (Sounds a little Irish to me!)

Many of the above players played for Cathedral High School in Springfield, MA


Alfredo DiLascia
Image News Service

IS ICE HOCKEY THE BEST SPORT? It May Be

NHL's Nick Bonino

Playing With Foley's Insurance

Olympia Ice Center Summer League

Photo by Alfredo

Ice hockey is Canada's #1 sport as it is in some European countries. It continues to grow in participation and with fans in the United States. There is a good reason for this.

One of the first things that you notice is that players from the NHL on down are regular down to earth people and they act like it. It is not like many other professional sports where players act like prima donnas and are stand offish to fans and the public, and seldom intermingle with people publicly. Too good for us regular folks. They may be 6' 3" and 240 lbs but they are afraid we might harm them, I guess. Not so with hockey.

It is not unusual to see an NHL player at a youth hockey or Junior game, or strolling the halls of the New England Sports Center in Marlboro, Mass. I happened to see and talk to NHL and Bruins legend, Bobby Orr, there last season. How about NHL Hall of Famer Mark Messier coaching a Mid Fairfield Connecticut Junior Team with his father. When passing by before a game he smiled and extended his hand for a handshake, You hardly ever see that with other pro athletes. It is not unusual to see Boston Bruin players mingle with youth, high school, and college players out on the ice during the off season..and pose for photos with them.

Locally in Western Mass current NHL player with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Nick Bonino, played in the Olympia Ice Center's Summer A League with the Foley Insurance Team. Current Boston Bruins player, Frank Vatrano, plays in this very same Summer League with Milano's Restaurant. He is not "too good" to play with and against his old friends. I was applying for Photo Credentials for an event at the Boston Garden. I couldn't get through and my messages went unanswered...so I thought that I would try to connect some REAL people so I called the Boston Bruins office. Within minutes the lady helped me to make the proper contact and I had my Credentials. Hockey people are REAL people!

One of the first things you notice about hockey are the great dedication and sacrifices of the parents (or caretakers). They essentially sacrifice up to 12 years of their lives taking their kids to games and tournaments all over the Northeast (on this coast) and Canada, some even go to Europe. I talked to one woman from California who regularly took her son many miles just to have him practice, let alone the games, where rinks are not as plentiful and some far away. Also, playing hockey is expensive and the parents pay out a ton of money over their careers, many parents who are working class people make major sacrifices for their kids.

Anther positive thing about hockey is the growing number of girl / women hockey players and there are some good ones! At many off season hockey camps the girls participate right along with the boys and you can't take anything away form them....they are good! I had the opportunity to photograph several Springfield, MA Cathedral High's Girls games and my mouth dropped open on how good they were. I swear that a few could have played on the boys team.

The other thing that is so great about hockey is how families of team members AND competing teams become such good, and sometimes lasting, friends. You see the same people over and over, at times their are long delays between tournament games. This occurs over a number of years as the players progress in hockey and in age. The players battle like crazy out there on the ice and sometimes even fight. But the families seem to have all that in perspective. The players themselves form great relationships with team members and opponents over the years. As they grow older in their play it is not unusual to know some of the opposing players on the other teams. Even with fights, it is not unusual to see the two players come off the ice together, smiling and talking...they have the game in perspective.

I vote for Ice Hockey as being one of the very BEST sports! How about you?  

Alfredo DiLascia

Image News Service

Hockey: Skidmore Upsets UMass Boston !

Skidmore's Mickey Foley in Action

Western Mass, Former Cathedral High Player

Second Ranked Nationally, UMass Boston Hockey went into yesterday's game vs. Skidmore College with incredible statistics. They even had 4 first place votes for the National Ranking. In the NEHC Conference they were first in Scoring Offense, Scoring Defense, Power Play, Penalty Kill, and Special Teams Net...you can't get any better than that! In addition UMass was fresh off an impressive 7-1 win on Friday night in their first Conference game vs. Castleton University in which Junior Forward Colin Larkin scored a hat trick.

Yet fresh off a hard fought battle, a 2-1 loss against a very good 15th Ranked Babson College on Friday night, Skidmore College was determined. I kind of knew that UMass was going to be tested since I saw Skidmore tie them at last season's end in the UMass run to the Frozen Four at Lake Placid. The prediction turned out to be true.

The battle started in the first period with aggressive play by both teams and ended 0-0, no score. If you blinked at the start of the 2nd period you missed 2 goals! One by UMass Senior Captain Albee Daley at 44 seconds into the period but this was answered with an unassisted goal by Skidmore's Senior Captain Anthony Bird at 55 seconds...that battle was still on!  A 1-1 tie.  At the end of the 2nd period Assistant Captain Colin Larkin continued with his amazing scoring with a goal at the end of the period to give UMass a 2-1 lead going into the final period.

UMass was hustling and playing aggressive but you could sense the momentum swing toward Skidmore who were not only determined, but seemed to want it more. Two goals were scored by Skidmore's Anthony Bird that gave him a hat trick and a Skidmore 4-2 win. The final goal was with an open net.

UMass now at 3-1 plays Daniel Webster College next Friday, followed by the University of Southern Maine on Saturday; both home games.

Alfredo DiLascia

Image News Service

Footnotes:

Western Mass and Springfield's Cathedral High School were well represented at the game yesterday. Junior Mickey Foley is on the Skidmore Hockey Team and Freshman Dominic Blad is on the UMass Team. In attendance were also the Boston Bruins, Frank Vatrano, and Baltimore Oriel, Frankie Crinella. All former Cathedral-ites!

Although a nice facility, the Beacons Ice Arena has some of the worst lighting in the Northeast, way below NCAA guidelines. I brought this to the attention of the UMass Administration over 2 years ago after a Cathedral game v. BC High. New LED lighting has been installed at UMass Amherst and at the Olympia Ice Center in West Springfield. The pay back on new LED lighting is a year or less...what I call a "no-brainier". Good hockey is being played by both the Men's and Women's Teams at UMass. Still waiting for a response, and more importantly, action to correct this. (Sorry, Alfredo speaks up!) 

BIG WIN FOR AIC HOCKEY OVER HOLY CROSS !

#17 Senior AIC Captain Austin Orszulak

1st Period Action Last Night 

American International College Hockey started off slow in the first period, with most of the play down at their end of the ice, defending their net. Nonetheless they held off a very good Holy Cross Team that has received Honorable Mention as one of the best teams in the nation after some impressive wins over nationally ranked Providence and Union Colleges. The score was 0-0 at the end of the first.

In the 2nd period it was all AIC as they pretty much dominated play. AIC moved ahead with goals by impressive freshman, forward Dominik Florian from the Czech Republic who already is showing signs of stardom early in the season. This was followed by a goal by ex-Cathedral High player and Springfield, MA native, senior Captain, Austin Orszulak. The period ended with a 2-0 AIC lead and they looked like they would finish with a sure win, the momentum was in their favor.

In the 3rd period it looked like Holy Cross woke up and were playing at the level of a nationally prominent team. (Sorry, but that is the way that it appeared.) The game then became a battle. A goal by Holy Cross junior, Danny Lopez. made it 2-1. Then followed by a discounted goal, Holy Cross scored another goal by junior, TJ Moore, to make it a 2-2 tie. For awhile it looked like it was going to stay that way.

Suddenly AIC caught on fire. At 3:49 left in the game a goal by freshman defensive player, Janis Jaks from Latvia, made it 3-2 AIC. The finishing touch to solidify the AIC win came at 1:42 left in the game with a goal by junior forward, Johno May, for the 4-2 AIC win! This was an impressive win for AIC, but the rematch is tonight in Worcester, MA at the College of the Holy Cross. It should be a great game.

Footnotes:

* The venue at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield is great, it couldn't be better. Both AIC students and college people, and local residents have to support the team by attending games. I KNOW Western Mass loves hockey...this is a chance to see some very good D1 Hockey played right in Springfield. As a fan it was a very entertaining game last night.

* What happened to the AIC Rally Band to help get the crowd going? I missed them.

* It was nice to see Billy Vizzo out there on the ice for AIC. A very good player, I saw him play for the P.A.L. Junior Islanders in the USPHL Premier Division for 2 years.

Alfredo DiLascia

Image News Service

Western Mass Sports Ramblings

Pope Francis High Baseball

2016 Fall League Champions

Congratulations to the Pope Francis 2016 Varsity Baseball Champions in the Fall League. They beat Minnechaug 1-0 in the Final.

Great start for former Cathedral hockey player, Matt Foley, in his first game for Yale University. They were ranked 17th in the nation in the pre-season poll for D1 Men's Ice Hockey. Matt had an assist and had 4 shots on goal as a defensive player. I always say, take the shot ! They beat Sacred Heart 4-1. Also congratulations to my grandson, Dominic Blad's UMass Boston Hockey Team for an impressive 5-1 win over Curry College. Matt and Dominic were teammates for 4 years at Cathedral High. UMass Boston went to the Frozen Four last year in Lake Placid and were ranked 3rd and 4th in the nation in pre-season D3 Hockey polls. UMass Boston's next game will be against UMass Dartmouth where Tanner and Kyle Zacharewicz play. Tanner is a senior, Kyle a junior....the brothers are from Ludlow, MA.

Good local game this Thursday. Holy Cross will be playing American International College at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield, MA at 7:00 PM. Former Cathedral players, Peter Crinella, now a sophomore at Holy Cross and Senior Captain Austin Orszulak will be playing for AIC.  I have what I call "adopted Western Mass players" and Billy Vizzo at AIC is one of them. He is a freshman and I hope to see him play. Image News Service will be covering the game. Hope to see you there for some good D1 Hockey right in Springfield!

Tyler Kelleher from Longmeadow, MA is off to a good start for UNH  Hockey. He has 4 goals and 5 assists in only 6 games...pretty impressive. He had an assist in a recent UNH 4-1 win over UMass, Amherst. Another "adopted" player that I follow is freshman Brendan van Riemsdyk for UNH. He also had an assist against UMass and has 3 assists so far for UNH.

Hope to see you at the Holy Cross vs. AIC game Thursday !

Alfredo DiLascia

Image News Service