Game v Hudson, Part 1

The Spartans made it to the championship game of the squirt A Wings of Spring tournament played on Sunday, March 15, 2009, against the team from Hudson. This was the season finale, the final game before the team members went their separate ways, some to baseball, some to spring hockey (some to both.)

The festivities around Wings of Spring celebrate many aspects of youth hockey. First, they celebrate teams that have worked hard all season long to learn the game and learn to play it together at a higher level than they've played before. Some teams travel a long way to the Wings of Spring. Others just go across town. But the players have all come through a season together, having learned new respect for their coaches and for each other.

Second, the events celebrate the organization and hard work of the volunteers for the Washburn Amateur Hockey Association. The Wings of Spring had fewer squirt A teams this year than in the past. That may be because some districts hold their playoffs the same weekend. Or it may be that some players have already taken off their skates and pads for the year. That's too bad. Because despite all the hard work done by the volunteers at other tourneys, Wings of Spring is still the best. Organization is terrific. There were fancy printed programs, with enough of them to go around. The coaches got gift bags. Awesome food choices were available and there was even a professional photographer covering the game. (I didn't actually look at the pro's photos, having just a few of my own.) The venue is terrific. Both rinks at Parade Ice Garden are warm, well-lit and comfortable.

Finally, the festivities mark the end of the regular hockey season. Some of us breathe a sigh of relief, some of regret as we think hard about what we'll do to fill the void on Saturdays and Sundays this spring, not to mention Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The weather cooperated this year, keeping the tournament true to its name and making it bitter-sweet to stay inside to watch hockey. Nicer weather is on the door step, and winter is finally petering out. But that means it's the end of hockey season, and this group of skaters, with these coaches, will never play together again.

Before we get all maudlin about that, there's still a game to win. The Spartans came through, beating the Hudson team 3-0. Both teams wore colors, instead of one wearing white, so the following photos will be more colorful than most.

Here's Matthew, bring the puck up the ice.

Here's Marco and his brother, Jacob. Marco is about to pass the puck to Jacob between the referee's feet.

Here's Jacob and his brother, Marco. When they get close in to the net, Jacob may confound the defense with a drop pass to his brother, giving them deja vu all over again.

Here's Garrett, just before he engages one of the opponents' forwards.

Max K. loiters in the corners, ready to take unsuspecting offensive players to the cleaners.