Good-hearted Hockey found its way to Bennett Rink in West Haven when Amity Boys Hockey hosted a fundraiser for The Martino Family to benefit the former Spartan player and his family who lost their home in a fire on Jan. 20.{{more}}
On Thursday Feb. 7 Spartan skaters had a ceremony for Eddie and Kellie Martino and their kids, Mary Kate and Eddie III. Both teams lined up on the ice while Amity Captains gave the family two old championship medallions and a game jersey signed by the team.
Eddie played Hockey at Amity in 1984. His wife Kellie, now a teacher at Racebrook School, was an Amity graduate as well.
“We just wanted to show our support and reach out to the family,” says Head Coach Gary Lindgren, “ We all just want to do what we can to help the them during this time.”
The game-day fundraiser was a success as both teams skated evened on the ice.
Well placed saves from both goalies kept the game scoreless until Amity’s Brett McNeil took the lead scoring the first goal assisted by John Crocker and Adam Shea.
“Brett McNeil played a tremendous game”, said head coach, “it was a close game but we played well.”
In the second period McNeil doubled back scoring again his second goal with help from player Johnny Uscilla at 2:41 mark. Cheshire was able to respond 10 minutes later but it was not enough to get a lead. Amity took the win with a score of 2-1.
“The penalty kill came up big in the last five minutes of the game but we held on nice for a win,” Lindgren said.” We played tough and it was a strong victory for us.”
The Amity Boys Hockey Team is ranked number one in Division II. With the win over Cheshire, the Spartans advance to a record of 11-3 for the season. Amity hopes to finish in the 1st or 2nd SCC seed to qualify for the Ice Championship Game on Feb. 27 at Quinnipiac.