The Blues Brave A Blizzard On Way To An Instant Classic In Rhode Island

Newport RI...
Steve Rauch..

We have called them the "Saint Blues" all season long, short for The Ramapo Saint Squirt Blue team. At the 18th annual Newport Whaler Christmas Tournament held in Newport Rhode Island they were simply referred to as "Ramapo".  Historic not only describes Newport’s stately mansions, properties and landscapes from the Colonial era through the Gilded Age, but its architecture, interiors, landscapes and social history. This so-called Ramapo team forged its own history in Newport. Already faced with traveling the greatest distance to Newport of the seven teams in their division, they did it through an historic Blizzard. Even though the snow subsided, the nor'easter left incredible wind gusts, some which topped 70 miles per hour (hurricane force) for almost three days! But the tangible history took place on the ice inside the rink as the Championship game between the host team Newport Whalers and Ramapo unfolded. Earlier in the day the Whalers handed Ramapo its only loss of the tournament by the score of 3-1. The morning game was fast and physical but gave no hint of what was to come. These two teams took to the ice for the afternoon rematch which made the morning game look like a practice. Fast and furious on ice should be the title. Simply put they played their hearts out with end to end nonstop action. A tight, physical and clean game. They held each other scoreless with relentless back checking and timely goaltending. Breakaways were stopped cold. Tension built as the days Championship game scheduled had fallen behind, games backed up and the arena filled with other teams waiting for their games. The game saw almost 35 minutes pass until a scramble ensued against the side of the Ramapo net, the Whalers swarmed as Ramapo crashed into the crease, snow, sticks, bodies and a puck seemed frozen for an instant until the puck slid over the goal line in what seemed to be slow motion. 1-0 Newport. Ramapo takes a time out. Coach Sparago's demeanor does not change one bit. He calmly tells them its not over, we are going to pull Stephen shortly after play resumes. We are then going with six skaters. He tells them he wants three players on the puck at all times in the zone, three players!  He tells them if they get three players on the puck they will score a goal. The whistle blows and the puck drops. Three players are on the puck. Ramapo gets four great scoring chances and defends an empty net twice while the Whalers controlled the puck in the offensive zone. The clock is ticking; "three men on the puck" can be heard over the now roaring crowd. Ramapo swarms with less than 20 seconds to play, it seems like they have six men on the puck, a great chance right in front but the puck ends up in the far corner, less than 10 seconds to go as the Whalers collapse along the boards hoping to tie up the puck until the horn sounds. Now there are 5 seconds left, Harrison Gdanski dances out of the corner and fires the puck for the Five-Hole,  the clock stops as the referee blows the play dead and points to the net! With 2.8 seconds the eruption was historic. At 2.8 seconds this goal is a record in 18 years of tournament Championship games. A fitting end to regulation to say the least. The Newport Whalers went on to score on a deflection at 2:59 of overtime to win the game. Handshakes, kind words and lots of well deserved applause followed. As the perspiration dries history will recall a day of determination, sportsmanship, respect, teamwork, mentoring and fine coaching, all that is right with youth sports.