However, there are some things I like to do 'my way' and apparently one of them is writing. I wrote a blurb for our local paper - The Independent - about a tournament the Squirt 2's participated in a couple of weeks ago. The paper printed it, which was nice. But they also edited my story, leaving a sentence that made no sense and made a gramatical error on the caption under my photo. They also cut out sentences and even lopped off my closing paragraph.
The same thing happened last fall when I submitted a story to them on backyard rinks - my opening paragraph (the 'hook'!) was rendered nonsensical. I know they have every right to do what they want with it and they can write a news story better than I. But it still bothers me that someone put their fingerprints on something I made. So, I am going to print the article, as I wrote it...right here, where I have total control.
The 2009 Western Mass Freeze-Out Tournament
The Chelmsford Hockey Association’s Squirt 2 team participated in the aptly named 2009 Western Mass Freeze-Out Tournament in Amherst, MA over the Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend. In temperatures that dipped to 10 degrees below zero, the Squirt 2’s turned the heat on their opponents and took Amherst by storm, winning two out of three games at the University of Massachusetts’ Mullins Center.
Facing a formidable Amherst team in game one, Chelmsford was victorious by a score of 6-3 due to balanced scoring and strong defense. Left wing Kevin “The General” Quinn led his troops by netting the game’s first goal on a heads up pass by his center, Jack Gump. Patrick “Hands” Hart was voted Player of the Game for his two goals, the second of which was the game winner. Danny “Scrat” Millin capped the victory off with an empty net goal and was a key defensive cog all series long. The Squirt 2’s breakout was in fine form thanks to good positioning by the forwards and by stellar play in the defensive zone by ever steady, strong, and solid Jason “Jay” Mercuri.
Game two saw an offensive explosion by Chelmsford as they faced off against the Providence Junior Bears of Rhode Island. Brian “Big Mac” McCarthy played outstanding two-way hockey and contributed three goals for a “hat trick.” His line-mate, and Player of the Game, Derek “Mic” Briand led all scorers with two goals and four assists as the Squirt 2’s trounced their opponents by a score of 8-1. Winger Sean Riley was a fore-checking machine whose hustle created turnovers that led to scoring chances. Center and team sparkplug Matthew “Stewie” Keller overcame fever and sickness to score the game winning goal mid-way through the second period.
The Squirt 2’s took their undefeated tournament record into game three and matched up well against the also undefeated Franklin, MA Flyers - who could not match Chelmsford’s raucous and colorful cheering section. Patrick “Skippy” White capped off a point filled weekend of play by scoring the Squirt 2’s only goal on a rebound off a smart shot from the shifty and versatile Timmy “T-Mac” McNamara. Liam Gleason played his usual physical style of hockey and went into corners and battled hard for position and possession of the puck. Chelmsford peppered their opponent’s goalie with shots – hitting the post twice - but just couldn’t put another puck past Franklin’s hot goalie. Tre Kehoe was his usual masterful self on the blue line, keeping pucks in the offensive zone and using his quickness and acute hockey sense to always make a smart play with the puck. Goalie Ben “Benny Brodeur” Molongoski played large the entire tournament and held the fort against a furious Franklin foray in periods two and three. Molongoski also did an exceptional job of covering up rebounds and flashing his glove to keep his teammates within striking distance. In the end, Chelmsford fell to Franklin by a score of 3-1 but the Squirt 2 coaches; Scott Millin, Bud Mercuri, John Gump, and Lou Briand are proud of how their players competed and represented Chelmsford in the 2009 Western Mass Freeze-Out.
Hockey tournaments are an opportunity for players to travel to different parts of the state or country to compete against other programs in the great sport of hockey. But tournaments are also a chance for teammates and families to get to know each other a little better and to enjoy each other’s company outside of the chilly confines of a hockey rink. The Squirt 2 players were all business during their games, but players and family members also spent time in the hotel pool, ate meals together, played hallway hockey, and attended a UMass vs. Providence College hockey game and a UMass vs. Temple University basketball game. The Chelmsford Squirt 2 team and their entourage of 50 family members had a weekend to remember both on and off the ice in Amherst.
2 comments:
Personally I feel there is no such thing as too much control. I will boycot the paper.....
Having been the victim of "editing" myself, I can definitely relate. I believe that it's all about the professionalism and skill of the reporter. Thanks for sharing the real story!
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