Over 30 families from across Bergen County came to Marlborough, Massachusetts to compete in the New England Sports Center March Classic Ice Hockey Tournament representing the Englewood Field Club (EFC) Hockey team. There were eight EFC teams entered in the tournament, four all-Jewish. Two out of the four teams took home championships.
The Squirt team cruised to the championship relying heavily on standout scorer Max Petak and timely goals from star defenseman Judah Volodarsky going undefeated in the tournament and winning 6-0 in the championship round with goalie Eitan Rosenblatt getting a shutout.
The team that had a bumpier ride to the championship was the Bantam team. The team started off with a 7-1 win over the Providence Bears on Friday with Benjy Feintuch notching a goal five seconds into the game to set the pace for a blowout win. With other goals coming from Joe Tropp, there was also great hustle from Jakey Zackai, Zach Rosenblatt and Andy Schenker that led to strong play from goalies Charlie Frielich and Sammy “Volo” Volodarsky who split every game of the tournament.
With a 6:00 p.m. start time against Beaver Dam and Shabbos ending at 6:15, there was a problem with only five players to start the game. EFC went down to a 3-0 hole before the other players could get on the ice. Then Beaver Dam never looked back, going on to win 8-4.
Later that night it was a must-win situation for EFC. EFC rode the back of Joe Tropp, who had a big night in scoring. They won 4-0 with goalies Charlie Freilich and Sammy Volodarsky getting the zero.
The championship game, EFC vs. Beaver Dam, was set after shacharit and breakfast. The game started off with both teams trading scoring chances and great defense by Andy Schenker, Noah Petak and Benji Feintuch and amazing hustle by defensemen Noah Slovely and Jakey Zackai. Beaver Dam could not net one. Four minutes into the 1st period, Joe Tropp took the puck from the blue line and rocketed it past the goalie to give EFC a 1-0 lead. Early in the 2nd on the Power Play, Tropp netted one again from Benji Feintuch and Noah Petak giving EFC a 2-0 lead. With eight minutes left in the 2nd, Beaver Dam got the puck in the middle and shelved it past the goalie to make it 2-1. After that, since they split the time, Charlie Frielich came in for EFC and played absolutely lights out. Sammy Volodarsky finished with a great night making some great saves to keep EFC in it.
Later in the 3rd, Noah Petak took it on a rush from one end to another and gave EFC a 3-1 lead. Goals added by Joe Tropp and great hustle by Zach Rosenblatt to add to another goal secured EFC the 5-1 win.
Congratulations to the whole EFC Bantam team who made an excellent Kiddush Hashem and displayed great sportsmanship throughout the tournament. Special thanks to coaches Christopher Cassese, Dan and Hugh Cohen, Bill Ryder and the whole EFC organization.
By EFC Hockey
