Marlborough, MA -- The West Point Society of New England sponsored an alumni hockey game between West Point Alumni and the Boston Bruins Alumni for the Fisher House Boston.
Alumni hockey players from 20 different USMA classes joined together over the weekend to face off against the NHL's Boston Bruins Alumni. Former Army hockey great Ed Collazzo '83 served as the alumni team coach leading a team of players from USMA classes 1979 to 2010. Richie Sheridan '90 put the team together.
The event featured honored guest Medal of Honor recipient SSG Ryan Pitts of NH who dropped the puck for the ceremonial first face-off with Bruins great Rick Middleton and Army's Richie Sheridan '90.
As the puck dropped and play began with a blistering pace, it was clear that it wasn't your typical charity game. With a squad featuring 13 former Army hockey team captains, including Tim Murphy '02, Mike Symes '85, and Kevin Keenan '87, the Army alumni team adapted quickly to the fast pace despite many players meeting for the first time before the game.
Captain Jeff Fearing '09 started the scoring with assists from Brody Howatt '99 and Sheridan to give the West Point alumni team a 1-0 lead.
After two quick goals from the Bruins, Army alum TR Coccaro '98 redirected a cross ice pass from classmate Tony Felice '98 to even the score at 2-2.
Two more goals put the former NHL players up 4-2, before Sean Hennessey '95 zipped a rink long pass to send Seth Beamer '06 in alone for a highlight reel finish.
Just before half time, the Bruins John Carter was awarded a penalty shot, but an incredible blocker save by Army alum goalie Scott Boyle '93 kept the Old Grads within one goal.
The second half picked up in intensity and featured fast-action with constant Army pressure. Army's defensive corps limited Bruins scoring chances in the second half with stellar play by former team captain Zach McKelvie '09, Colonel Jon Braga '91, David Yancey '79, LTC (Ret) Scott Williams '91, Bob Ness '86 and Marlborough's own Mike Landers '95. With 15 minutes remaining Captain Ken Rowe '10 scored the tying goal with assists from Tim Fisher '03 and Fearing. The Bruins answered quickly after a shifty move by 10-year NHLer Bob Sweeney setup Tom Songin with 12 minutes to go in the game and a 5-4 Bruins lead. The Army alumni controlled play for much of the time remaining and valiantly pushed the former professionals for the tying goal, but the Bruins Mike Krushelnyski scored an empty net goal with :39 seconds left to seal the game for the Bruins, 6-4.
After the game, Army's TJ McMeniman '00 summed up the experience, "I was honored and humbled to see the the hockey community support the Fisher House Boston, an organization that does so much for our military families. It was an amazing experience." Said Ted Moran '86, "I felt incredible pride several times throughout the day. I feel very lucky to be part of our West Point and Army hockey alumni."
The event's organizer Dale Kurtz '73, President of the local West Point Society of New England, noted it was easy to “support such a great organization. Our goal was to raise money to support the Fisher House and the great work that they do. I am very proud of our West Point Alumni and our Hockey Alumni for the support they have generated for the Fisher House Boston. We had a very successful event."