12/14/02  @home vs. Middlebury
     I really don't know what to say about this game.  You hear it time after time; "What's the matter with these officials?  These guys are bums, why aren't they calling anything?"  If you're like me you blow it off as sour grapes.  This one was different.  On the one hand you have a team that's out of the control of it's coaches and on the other a pair of officials that refuse to call anything.  Let me just say that's not what youth hockey in Vermont is all about.  This is about growing and having fun playing the best game there is!  I don't think we have heard the last of this one.  Fun doesn't send young players to the hospital.  OK, enough.
    All that being said I can't say enough about the ladies of the Essex Sting.  In spite of everything that was wrong with this game they played the best hockey I've seen this year.  They played a tough, clean game all the way through in spite of watching their team mates go down with injuries one after another, coming back in the third period to see two in the net from Kondor and another from Desourcie!  The game may have ended tied but I'm here to tell you Essex outplayed Middlebury all the way through and showed more class and character in each player than the entire Middlebury team together.
    Let me say one more thing here: This team is a class act and they're just getting started.  You heard it here first, come playoff time the ladies from Essex are going to walk off with the cup.        
                                               Grapes



12/14/02  @ Stowe
    What an odd game this one was.  Essex went in shorthanded with Gendron, Kinsman and (C.) Lorenz on the injured list from the morning game and that may have put them a bit off balance.  Maybe the morning game wore them all out along with the fact that several were sick.  Who knows?  The game was scoreless until early in the second period when Kinghorn scored with a long bomb from the point.  Coming back in the third, Stowe's Nichols scored early followed by a second goal by Kinghorn and one more by Nichols.  At the end of the period strategy by the Stowe coach allowed two empty net goals by Kondor and Desourcie to end the game at 4 - 2.  Locker room interviews after the game indicated the girls felt this one was more of a scrimmage than a game.  
                                                  Grapes





12/15/02  @  Plattsburgh
    This team really bounced back after their unfortunate pounding at the hands of the Middlebury club.  Now I don't want to say too much but there seems to be some question about a Sunday rule in N.Y. and some "more seasoned" players.  Just goes to show you you can't always trust foreigners. But hey, winning or losing isn't always the thing, eh?  This was a hard - fought, clean game (with the exception a high - sticking incident in the box by coach Smith near the end of the third).  With sickness and injury plaguing the team they still played one fine game and were able to go home with pride.
                                                   Grapes


12/21/02  @ MAHA
    What we saw here was a good, old fashioned Turkey Shoot.  Those MAHA girls didn't have a chance right from the start.  This game must have been deja vous for the MAHA club, looking back to November 18 of last year when they took a 12-0 pounding from Essex.  Eleven of the twelve girls on this year's team were there for the pounding in '01 and it must have been hard for them to take the same thing again this year.  The high point of this game for me was watching team Captain, Desourcie, on a long breakaway make a latteral pass to Miller for the seventh goal late in the second period.
                                                                                                                                                                                   Grapes


12/22/02  @ South Burlington
    OK, let's look at a little history here.  There's been a lot of talk about what the record was with the South Burlington club last year so before I say a thing let's look at that.  In 2001 Essex went down to S. Burlington 7 - 2 (10/27), 2 - 1 (10/?), 11 - 3 (11/04), and tied, 1 - 1 (12/23).  They have always been a tough club to play. This year only Kozlowski, Luxembourg and Morrano remain with the club and among them they scored only four of the goals last season. The makeup of the club has changed markedly, though it looks as if Kozlowski may be a big scorer for the club this year.  They're still a tough team but Essex has shown it can play with them.  Essex had a lacklustre start in the first period which ended with a 1-0 SB score.  A flurry of scoring on both sides marked the second period with goals by Desourcie(2), Kondor and M. Lorenz which were neatly matched by Kozlowski(2), Luxembourg and Malone.  The third proved once more what a come - back team Essex can be with Gibbons scoring a hat trick and the final goal put away by Lamore.  S. Burlington scored only once in the third as Incavo put it in the net 1 minute 58 before the final buzzer.  They're still a tough team but one that can be handled by the Essex club even when Essex is not entirely on their game. 
                                                                                                                                                                                        Grapes
   


From The Essex Reporter 1/30/03:
   
ESSEX GIRLS U15 HOCKEY CONTINUE WINNING WAYS

    The Essex Girls U15 Travel Hockey Team added another tournament championship to their 2002-2003 successful season.  On January 11 and 12, the 20-3-6 Sting claimed the title in Troy, N.Y. by posting a 3-1 record, which culminated in a 2-0 victory in the finals against Camillus, N.Y.  On Saturday, Essex began the day with a 3-1 win over Binghamton N.Y., followed by a 5-3 victory over host Troy.
    Having already earned a spot in the championship game against Camillus on Sunday, head coach Skip Lamore had a chance to play Camillus once prior to the final game.  He strategically mixed up his lines and defensive assignments, while seeing how the opponents sized up.  After a 7-1 loss showed that Camillus scored most of their goals on rebounds and second chances, Essex countered in the title game with solid defense and a strong goaltending performance by Nicole Bonneau, who stopped all 20 shots on goal.  This complimented a 39 shot offensive gem capped off with goals by Captain Felicia Desourcie and linemate Kristin Kondor to claim the victory.
    Everyone played well throughout the tournament and seemed to grow stronger as the weekend progressed.
Article by Marty Bonneau




A Note To The Coaching Staff And Team Parent From Patti Peduzzi:

   A NOTE OF THANKS:
 
   As our Hockey Season draws to an end, I think we need to take a moment and thank the people most responsible for bringing us this far and possibly a first, A Girls Hockey State Championship. Sometimes in our busy lives, it is very easy to find fault and to criticize how things could be done better and what differently you would do if you had the job of coach, just as sometimes the referee calls appear bad to us up in the stand, but if you are down there on the ice, you might see a much different perspective.  We tend too as humans, easily criticize, but are not so quick to give praise or thanks when deserved.
  Enough praise and thanks cannot be given to our Coaching Staff: Skip Lamore has done an outstanding job as Head Coach.  It is not always easy to deal with all the parents, girls, and other responsibilities that have fallen onto his shoulders.  Skip has handled everything ever thrown his way in a timely and respectful manner ( including discipline of the girls, not an easy task with emotional adolescent girls). Thanks to you Skip. I know you probably have not heard this enough throughout the season but we have always been behind you 100%.
  Next in line for well deserved thanks and praise is all of the Assistant Coaches. Tim Gendron, Bob Smith, Sam Kinghorn and Mike Lorenz.  All of you have contributed in different but important roles, that have helped mold this group of girls into the championship team that they are. The experience, patience, guidance you gave, has helped the girls grow, not only as individuals, but as a team.  As each game was played, the team grew and showed improvement at every level and by our record, they have proven to be a very hard opponent to beat. This is all due to the endless time and effort that you guys have given to this team. Without all of you, We might not be where we are today
  I know I can speak for my own family and many of the other families when I say that this has been two of the best years of hockey . Not only have the girls formed lasting friendships , but many of the parents as well. Hopefully we will still be together for a little while longer. Everyone has contributed and helped this team in so many ways.  Lets give a special thank you to all the parents.
  A big thank you needs to go out also to Christine Farnham for the great job she has done as the team parent. I am sure many hours of her time has been spent calling parents for updates, making reservations, etc... to keep us all on track.
In closing, to Skip and all the assisstant coaches, we hope you all stay in coaching forever.  Girls hockey wouldn't be the same without all of you.  As for my family, we don't yet know what the future will bring, whether Britt will make the high school team or not, who knows? Either way I know Brittany has played hockey for 8 yrs now and she has never been so happy or felt like such a part of a team, as she has for these past 2 yrs. She has had a great time and enjoyed playing as part of this team. Thanks to all for making this so special for so many of us.
 
A VERY BIG THANKS TO ALL !!!!!!!!!!
 
Patti
    
 
____________________________________________________


2/16/03
     Back in December I made a prediction.  I'm not going to say it again, once is enough but if last night's game at Stowe was any indication that prediction will be coming true soon enough.  This is the hockey we wait all year to see.  Even playing in sub-zero conditions this team played like a ball of fire.  The first goal came three minutes into the first period when Kondor put in a textbook shot assisted by defensemen Kinghorn and Peduzzi.  Kondor, noted for her hot temper, leading the team in penalty minutes, has been a mainstay of this team all year and she was in perfect form today.  Woodstock's O'Brien soon evened the score, slipping a long shot in past Douilard, ending the period scoring at 1-1.  The first period was "just a warmup" quipped "Pop Tart" Peduzzi as she thawed out in the locker room between periods.  She had that right as Essex forward Gibbons put the light on twice with help from Kondor, Farnham and Kinsman.  By the second period Defense Coach Bob Smith's "Iron Curtain" was drawn down tight leaving Woodstock with no opportunities for shots whatsoever.  Head Coach Skip Lamore should be very happy going into this series with this defensive squad, all solid, experienced players that don't let much through to trouble their goalies.  How many times have we heard it; "Offense wins games, defense wins titles"?  The "Iron Curtain" is going to play a big role in this tournament, make no mistake about it; no shots, no goals.  
     The Essex machine stepped up another notch in the third period and by then most of Woodstock had lost their composure and appeared to be racing about with little or no strategey outside of a few players; notably #99, Ashley Chich who remained a threat throughout the period.  That was not enough to help Woodstock as they allowed Gibbons to score three consecutive goals with the able assistance of Kondor and Farnham to end the game at 6-1.  
       It takes a lot to play up to this standard on a open air rink with below zero temperature readings.  It takes a lot to be a spectator as well and you can bet the girls appreciate the fortitude of the fans who came to see this game.  It's to their credit that in spite of the cold they gave those fans a game that was well worth the discomfort.  While we're on the subject I have just learned the "Sting" has fans from as far away as Antarctica!  Fame has a way of spreading far and fast, I guess.  To those fans way down under, we salute you (and we hope it's not any colder there than it is here!).
                                                                                                                                                                Grapes


 

2/20/03
    The tradition goes on!  Tonight was a banner night for the ladies from Essex as they faced CSB for the first time since 12/22 when CSB went down 8-6 in a contentious game that included eighteen penalty minutes fairly evenly divided between the teams.  Shots on goal for that game were 26(CSB) to 24(ESSEX).  How the tide has turned!  Looking just at shots; the "Iron Curtain" was in place right from the start, allowing only one shot in the first, none in the second and only three in the third when CSB apparently realized they might loose this one.  This all has goaltender Bonneau wondering how she's going to improve her average.  "That's OK," she said after the game, flashing her trademark grin, "we won!"  With a spot secured in the final game that was the attitude of  the rest of the team as well.  Pure elation.
       To me this looked like a done deal at the moment when Kondor sunk the first goal 2:36 into the first period.  This was quickly followed at 6:44 when Lamore wrapped one in (the goal was incorrectly credited to Gendron), ending the period at 2-0.  The second period was marked by another sweet wrap-around goal by Peduzzi.  The third period was the point where CSB seemed to realize (belatedly) that they were in trouble and stepped it up a bit.  Unfortunately they appeared to have no game strategy, swarming about much like the insects for which the Essex girls are named.  This led to one anxious moment for Coach Lamore as almost the entire CSB squad crashed the net.  Bonneau stopped the first badly bouncing shot, deflecting it to her left but unable to control it.  CSB forward, Austin, picked it up and set it up but, as she was about to take what would have been a fatal shot, Kinghorn arrived, headlong over a fallen player and accidentally (um?) knocked Austin's feet out from under her allowing Essex to take control once more.  At 11:44 the rarely stoppable Gibbons/Desourcie duo took the puck for a stroll down the ice to put away the last goal of the night with a 4-0 victory and an assured spot in the final game on Sunday.  What a team!  What a season!  What a long way this team has come in two years.  Three years ago the deal was one, two and we're out of the States and home in disgrace.  Last year was a very hard fight up through the losers bracket for a second place finish.  And it was a fight that everyone involved can be very proud of.  Then, this year, well I'll stop there and avoid putting the whammy on the next game but we all know what this team can do and we'll all be waiting to see the class they exhibit on Sunday when they face the final match (against CSB once more is my guess).
        In the mean time, anyone who wants to see some more class hockey, the High School girls will be playing their last game of the season Saturday in Essex and it wouldn't hurt to get out and cheer them on.  Maybe I'll see you there.
                                                                                                               Grapes
                                                                                                                                                                           


3/08/03    The Little Voices In The Stands

    I have purposely waited a few days to file this in hopes I would be a bit less angry however it has not happened.  I think everyone would like to be the ref when they attend a hockey game.  It's only natural, it's the one thing we can't be so we all sit on the sidelines or in the stands and make the calls, smiling when we're proven right and calling out suggestions about Pearl Vision or side bets when they don't see it our way.  Occasionally one of us gets a little too chirpy and gets ejected, it happens.  I have no problem with this; after all it's really part of the game.  In pro sports calling suggestions out to the coaches is also done at times too, regardless of whether the critic has any idea what he is talking about.  This is part of the game too.
    Here's the thing, this is not pro hockey.  The games we played this evening and yesterday put our children into a situation where they were so far outclassed that it was akin to Essex Hornets taking on the Mapleleafs.  They were purely defensive games that we were lucky to lose at as small a margin as we did and with as few injuries as we had.  Looking back a bit at the rest of our season one might note that for our league we have an exceptionally strong, experienced defense which accounts for our very young goalies low number of shots this year.  Very little got through those lines but even they could not stop these select teams.  The goalies got conservativly 20 - 30 % of their shots for the year in these three games.  The coaching staff saw this coming and put into play a form of defense we have never had to use in the past.  Obviously it was a new concept to some of those in the stands, one which some people were apparently unable to comprehend at all.  Hey, I have no problem with disagreement, I do it too, but I at least have the good grace not to do it in the presence of other parents of team members.  The key here is TEAM.  This is a team sport.  At this level we all play as a team, players and parents alike and there is no place for childish displays in the stands.  Every parent on this team had the opportunity to get out on the ice and participate in their daughter's experience but very few were willing or able to make the committment.  Most of the parents this year have been great but it only takes a few to cause a lot of damage.  There is no place here for that sort of negative behavior.  Being negative just brings everybody down; trying to counter-instruct only makes your child miserable and may serve to ruin the development of a potentialy great player; we've seen that happen over and over.  If you want to be part of it then get out there and be part of it, otherwise....  Frankly I am disgusted.
    As for the games themselves, there were a wide range of emotions on the ice.  There were some who didn't want to play any more but who still went out there and did the best they could to spare their team mates having to shoulder an extra load and there was even one who told me she had fun knocking people down and running over them!  The ones who had the most fun were the ones who bought into the idea that we were in way over our heads and, since we had nothing to prove to anyone, went out to just have fun.  
                                                             Grapes



AS ALWAYS THIS SPACE IS AVAILABLE TO ANYONE WHO WISHES TO EXPRESS AN OPINION.  THIS IS AFTER ALL AN EDITORIAL PAGE.  OPINIONS THAT SINGLE OUT AN INDIVIDUAL FOR ABUSE OR THAT USE ABUSIVE OR FOUL LANGUAGE WILL BE RETURNED FOR APPROPRIATE EDITING.