WHAT A SUCCESS!
The First Annual Lighthouse Tournament was a great experience for everyone involved
Posted by: Steve Webb, Director of Grassroots Hockey
Posted on: Monday, January 21, 11:50 am
The morning's Mite/Mini-Mite Jamboree was a lot of fun. Once the games got going, it was nice to sit back and watch the kids play against different arenas. It was interesting to see six teams go at it at once on the Coliseum ice. The kids were all really focused on the game and didn't even know what was going on around them off the rink. But once they were off the ice they had all sorts of things to do. Overall, it seemed like the kids were having some good fun out there. We're going to try and up the ante for next year and have even more fun.
Some people dubbed yesterday "Championship Sunday," "Road to the Coliseum" or "Road to the Lighthouse." Whatever you wanted to call it, the kids played hard. They probably played at a higher level than they're used to playng. The Lighthouse Tournament is something the kids will have to look forward to each year.
This tournament was something the kids were excited about for a while. It was great to see them all fired up in the championship games. The kids came in with suits and ties, looking like professionals. It was nice to see the excitement of these kids. You don't want to see anyone lose, but they really did battle it out, out there. They put their best foot forward and had a lot of fun.
Overall, I think the tournament was a big success. We look forward to tweaking a few things and going right back at it in year two.
ICELAND GULLS CLOSE OUT SUNDAY WITH THE MIDGET CHAMPIONSHIP
A heated battle ends with the Cantiague Gulls topping the Cantiague Bulldogs 5-3
Posted by: Jason Lockhart, website/publications coordinator
Posted on: Sunday, January 20, 7:40 pm
Less than a week earlier during round-robin play, the Iceland Gulls defeated the Cantiague Bulldogs in stunning fashion. After the Bulldogs hit a post late, the Gulls came back down the ice and score to take a 2-1 lead, ultimately adding an empty-net goal for a 3-1 victory.
On Championship Sunday of the Lighthouse Tournament, the Gulls repeated their performance, defeating the Bulldogs 5-3 to take the Midget title of the first annual Lighthouse Tournament.
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| Iceland Gulls |
"The Bulldogs have a big, physical team, but our guys skated well today," said Gulls head coach John Dellatto. "It's a great experience for the kids to play teams from other rinks. This was great what the Islanders did for the kids, which is who this is all for. It's all about teaching kids about respect. If the Islanders continue to do this, it will be well appreciated."
John Delarto scored two goals and added an assist for the Gulls, who ended a long and exciting day of hockey as champions. Sasha Nicolich was named the Bulldogs' player of the game.
CANTIAGUE WARRIORS TAKE BANTAM TITLE
Michael Whelan allows only one goal in 3-1 victory over rival Cantiague Scorpions
Posted by: Jason Lockhart, website/publications coordinator
Posted on: Sunday, January 20, 7:00 pm
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| Cantiague Warriors |
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| Cantiague Scorpions |
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After the Cantiague Warriors lost to their rink rivals the Scorpions twice this season, it was time for pay back. They did so in the game that mattered most, defeating the Scorpions 3-1 in the Bantam level Lighthouse Tournament Championship. Rick Podpirka, Erin Allan and Damien Gacinskiz scored for the Warriors, while Michael Whelan was impeccable in goal, earning Player of the Game honors for his team.
"I thought our guys played great," said Warriors head coach Jim Allen. "These guys beat us 3-1 the past two games, but the team put a good effort today. Our speed paid off on the big ice. We went with a youth movement, with almost everyone on the team as first year bantams. It was nice playing different teams around the Island. The Islanders put together a great event."
ICELAND'S GULLS ARE PEE WEE CHAMPS IN LI DIVISION
Alexandra Horton nets one and adds two assists, Chris Krotz and Joe Lucito combine for 6-2 win
Posted by: Jason Lockhart, website/publications coordinator
Posted on: Sunday, January 20, 3:15 pm
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| Iceland Gulls |
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| Cantiague Mustangs |
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The second Championship game went to the Iceland Gulls, who defeated the Cantiague Mustangs in the Long Island Division's Pee Wee final. Chris Krotz and Joe Lucito combined or the Gulls' 6-2 win.
Adam Cieslewlez tallied a goal and an assist for the Gulls.
Next is the International Division Pee Wee final featuring Qiqihar from China versus the Westchester Mariners.
Alexandra Horton scored a goal, and added two assists
MAKOS FROM THE RINX ARE SQUIRT CHAMPS
Johnny Boss records hat trick in Makos' 6-3 victory over the Phantoms from Cantiague
Posted by: Jason Lockhart, website/publications coordinator
Posted on: Sunday, January 20, 3:15 pm
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| Makos from The Rinx |
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| Cantiague Phantoms |
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Our first champion has been crowned on Championship Sunday. The Makos from The Rinx won 6-3 over the Phantoms from Cantiague behind three goals from Johnny Boss. Brandon Perrone earned the win for the Makos, who went through a grueling week-long tournament to reach Championship Sunday.
"Our boys played hard all week," Makos head coach Mike Perronne told Newyorkislanders.com. "They've been having a great time at the Lighthouse Tournament. They were in the locker room yesterday for a game and they were dancing around. Our team really came together for this tournament."
Joseph DiMartino also scored two goals for the Makos. For the Phantoms, Chris Riebl chipped in with two tallies. In goal for the Phantoms was Mathhew Congero.
Up next is the Pee Wee final of the Long Island Division.
Mite/Mini-mite Jamboree Kicks of Championship Sunday
Over 420 4-8 year olds take part in an exciting, packed morning at the Nassau Coliseum
Posted by: Jason Lockhart, website/publications coordinator
Posted on: Sunday, January 20, 1:50 pm
Steve Webb and the Islanders organization, with the help of rinks all across Long Island, pulled off a magical event Sunday morning at the Nassau Coliseum that included over 420 mites and mini-mites between the ages of four and eight.
The Coliseum ice was split into three rinks with six teams from rinks all across Long Island competed in a friendly round-robin tournament. Islanders employees and local rink staffers supervised as the kids showed their skills on the biggest hockey stage – an NHL rink.
Even the Islanders players, who later practiced in front of one of their largest crowds ever, had to take a peak at the goings on in the rink. There was not a single player, parent or sibling not smiling during the entire event.
"I've heard all very positive things from the kids and their parents," Webb told New yorkislanders.com. "We're just trying to give kids an experience of a lifetime that they will never forget."
An event like this would be hard to forget.
With only a few dozen kids on the ice at one time, the rest of the youngsters, parents and coaches had more than enough to be entertained by. The Islanders' ever-popular inflatables were on the scene.
Following the competition, ever player received a participation Islanders gift bag, handed out by the Ice Girls and Sparky, who received much attention from the kids.
But the children's days didn't end there. Lined up along the entry to the ice, Long Island's youth watched as their favorite hockey team took to the ice. With Vice President of Game Operations Tim Beach announcing each player as they stepped onto the ice a huge cheer came from the over 2,000 in attendance. It wasn't an Islanders game, but the atmosphere was getting close to one.
As the players skated around, they made eye contact with the kids and flipped pucks into the stands. Ted Nolan couldn't help but smile as he looked into the crowd and waved.
Here is the list of rinks that participated in the Mite/Mini-Mite Jamboree
Cantiague Park Ice Arena
Dix Hills Ice Rink
Freeport Recreation Center Ice Rink
Iceland Skating Rink
Islanders Iceworks
Parkwood Ice Rink
Port Washington Skating Center
Superior Ice Rink
The Arena of Long Beach New York
The Rinx - Hidden Pond Park
The Mite/Mini-mite jamboree is just the beginning. Championship Sunday continues with the Squirt, Pee Wee – Long Island and International – Bantam and Midget Championships. Check back later for those results.
Check out the Photo Galleries:
Also read ICE DREAMS COME TRUE by Chris Botta.
THINGS ARE PICKING UP
Excitement growing as we get closer to Championship Sunday
Posted by: Steve Webb, Director of Grassroots Hockey
Posted on: January 18, 3:20 pm
Everything is really coming together. We have the first week of the tournament under our belt with good results. Everyone is enjoying themselves and having a lot of fun. Most teams have just played one game, some have played two. Things will start picking up today and tomorrow before we reach Championship Sunday.
Just going around the rinks, the biggest thing I've heard is how excited the parents have been, having their kids participate in this tournament. It's great to have the Islanders be part of something special like this.
A BUZZ ABOUT THE LIGHTHOUSE TOURNAMENT
The all-Island youth hockey tournament is underway
Posted by: Steve Webb, Director of Grassroots Hockey
Posted on: January 17, 6:35 pm
There is a lot of buzz out there from the parents and kids about the Lighthouse Tournament. The tournament is well underway and getting closer to Championship Sunday.
I've been going around to a lot of the rinks that are holding the round-robin. It's great seeing the kids, who aren't usually in tournaments, react. They want to feel like they're travel kids, so one team came in with their jerseys on hangers and another team came in wearing shirts and ties.
There's a lot of excitement out there. Parents have been telling me how anxious the kids have been the night before. Kids have getting to the rink very early. They can't wait to get out onto the ice. It's nice for the kids to travel around Long Island, playing in rinks and against other teams they don't normally play.
We want everyone to have fun with this and people so far have been great. There have been so many people who have been involved with this tournament within the Islanders organization and at the various rinks. Everyone has been very cooperative and understanding.
Starting Friday and going through Monday there will be a lot of hockey going on at the Coliseum and all over the Island, with the Lighthouse Cup – the High School All-Star game being played Monday night at the Coliseum. There is a lot jamboree.
One of our favorite events is going to be the Mite/Mini-Mite Jamboree on Sunday. It's going to be fun chaos, as we've been calling it. Over 400 kids between the ages of four and six will be ripping around the Coliseum ice surface.
We just hope everyone has a great time.
