May 8-9, 1981 Leominster, Massechusetts

PREFACE: Let’s be honest, 27 years and way too many beers makes memories very blurry if existent at all with regard to specific incidents. Thank God for juke box records and other papers that exist in the archives. Today’s incident is documented, albeit after the fact by a few days, in preserved correspondences and receipts. So, without further adieu –

Phil has mentioned, albeit too humbly, the greatness of his street hockey team – Chestnut Street. Now, it was a team, he was Captain; it was an institution, he was a player before the team was great and long after he was great. By 1981, in fact, at 31, Phil was no longer All-Lancaster Recreation Commission caliber nor was Chestnut Street (16-4, 2nd place that season) the premier local team. However, in their heyday, say, 1977-80 or so, they were not just a local power but a State and a regional champ and a contender each May at Nationals. While they never made National finals; I’m certain they made quarters on more than occassion.

It was with those intentions that 25 or so of us, including the 15-18 players, headed north to Nationals in Leominster, MA on the morning of May 8, 1981. We piled into, maybe 7 vehicles, loaded with sticks, pucks, munchies, luggage and beaucoup adult beverages. No wonder the juke box showed no income that weekend.

It was my 2nd or 3rd (and final) trip to Nationals with the team. The players, by and large, did not let game responsibilities get in the way of good clean fun. I, with no such responsibilities, definitely did not. As I recall such tournaments, Friday night was a great meal, full of camaraderie, cheer, good food, fellowship and beer. Memorable in its own right; not to be missed, somewhat formal, sports jackets sans tie, and good steaks. The Saturday games – being part of a 32 team tourney – typically presented no real challenge although that was not always the case.

Saturday offered two games; the first in the morning against a lesser team that would result in a blow out win and then a second against another team that had lost their morning game a bigger blowout particularly after Friday night’s inhibitors wore off. The 16 teams that won afternoon games were ranked based on record/margin and scheduled to play a potentially grueling (up to four game) single elimination tourney on Sunday. Saturday night’s drinking was usually a little more subdued. (I may have the first class meal mixed up; it might have been Saturday not Friday). I’m pretty certain that less beer was consumed Saturday then Friday. Sunday’s schedule was obviously tougher. My recollection is that Chestnut Street usually won its opener but probably lost game two more often than not.

I have absolutely no memory of how the team did in ’81. I know they were not the same team as in the prior few years. I have less memory of the Friday and Saturday night antics; I do – unfortunately – have a nagging guilty feeling regarding the Sunday morning (or afternoon) pre-departure episode. I will save that for Part II.