On a beautiful morning in Fenway Park, the Taft Varsity Boys Hockey Team defeated Avon Old Farms 9-5. Five hundred alumni, parents and friends enjoyed watching the game from the luxury EMC Club behind home plate. Over brunch and coffee, they watched Taft topple Avon on the same surface where the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers will meet in the NHL Winter Classic next week. Highlights for Taft were the first puck drop by Cam Neely, Boston Bruins legend, a hat trick of three goals scored by Taft sophomore forward, Corbin McGuire, and a Big Red victory that was the first ever hockey win in Fenway Park. What a great day for Taft and our hockey program!
Coach Murphy's thoughts on the game:
On Monday December 21st,
the Taft Varsity Hockey Team traveled to Boston to play a historic
morning exhibition contest at Fenway Park against Avon Old Farms School. The contest was strictly exhibition, the scored revealed that with Taft having the edge in goals scored 9 – 5. But,
to be honest this was not about who scored more goals, rather this was
about a group of boys having an experience of a lifetime that they, nor
this typist had ever experienced in their life - playing hockey at
Fenway Park! It was a sight to behold, watching
teenage boys, acting like little kids and enjoying the game for the
love of sport, and playing the game the way it was meant to be played,
for the pure love and enjoyment. Players on both
teams had huge smiles on their faces, and you could tell they enjoyed
every minute of their opportunity, as they glared at the “Green
Monster” over their right shoulder or stared at the “Pesky Poll” in
right field. In fact, when Cam Neely showed up
to the bench area before the start of the game, the boys from both
teams hardly gave him any attention at all because they were all so
eager to skate on Fenway’s outdoor rink. And, to have their own “Winter Classic” as the Bruins and Flyers enjoyed on New Year’s Day! It was really something special, and the Taft coaches just sat back and watch their boys play! They gave no instruction to their players; rather they just observed and watched teenagers return to their childhood innocence.
This event was particularly special because it occurred between two historically great prep - school hockey programs. Taft has had ice hockey as a part of their educational program since the early years of Mr. Taft’s school, as far back as 1897. Over
that period of time, the Rhinos have had a rich history of tradition
and success and the 2009 – 2010 team showed that tradition by wearing
retro jerseys and socks that the Taft team of 1910 wore a hundred years
ago, representing the past! This was an experience that every Taft and Avon player will always talk about and never forget! “Remember when we skated at Fenway…” In
closing, we would like to thank everyone who helped to make this event
happen and be such a wonderful and memorable experience.
Gallery photos by Rob Madden '03. Additional photos may be viewed or purchased at
LeahLatham.com, with
more here.
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