Federal Hockey League Comes to the Island

Last Saturday evening the hosted its first pro-hockey game. The Cape Cod Bluefins vs. the Danbury Whalers.

To the delight of the crowd, from youth hockey's squirts, high school players, seniors, and all around hockey fans, the Cape Cod Bluefins announced their players to include none other than Max Sherman, the MV Hockey varsity assistant coach, and Mick Vukota, youth hockey's head coach and JV coach. Nothing could have excited the crowd more. These are two players that bring great energy, commitment and spirit to Vineyard hockey. This would not be an ordinary game.

The first period played out with a couple of big hits and a power play a piece ending with a 1-0 lead for the Bluefins. After the Whalers evened it up, David Lun answered and put the Fins in a 2-1 lead with a wrist shot on goalie Peter Vetri. Vetri didn't take it well and leveled astonished Bluefin Brad Surdam, creating a red-hot reaction from the benches. Surdam did regain his legs but Vetri was ejected from the game.

In the third period, the Fins were fueled and in a good spot. Surdam had his revenge with a nice backhand shot into the net, making it 3-1. But things were just heating up and Mick Vukota, loyal to the last and ready to help his team match the physical play, dropped the gloves to square off with big man Jason McCrimmon. The Vineyard crowd, on their feet in support of their star player, gave him all their energy and support as Vukota held his own with the big man 20 years his junior.

As the game continued, a slap shot goal put the Whalers back in the game.  At 16.18 the Whalers tied it up.  One minute later they took the lead. The Bluefins never recovered and as the final whistle blew they lost the game in a narrow 4-3 defeat.

Nonetheless the chat and banter from the sidelines and benches were all about the great plays, especially from their hometown heroes.