The MassMutual Center hosted sled hockey games Sunday, prior to a Springfield Falcons game.
SPRINGFIELD – They played for the Cammer Cup at the MassMutual Center on Sunday afternoon.
They scrapped for the puck, sent passes to open teammates and took a ton of shots on goal.
There was the occasional scrum for possession, complete with necessary roughness. Some players got knocked over in the process, but, hey, that’s hockey, eh?
Yes, but in this case it was sled hockey, played by hard-working athletes who don’t let physical disabilities keep them from enjoying the game they love.
They play it while seated in sleds, using sticks to propel themselves. The speed and skill with which they do this is a tribute to the dedication they bring to this sport.
On this day, the Western Mass. Knights roared to a 7-1 victory over a team sponsored by Hampden Financial, a division of Hampden Bank. They played before the Springfield Falcons game with Worcester, a nice opportunity for them to showcase what sled hockey’s all about.
Corey Drouin had five goals and two assists for the Knights. Brian Boisvere scored twice. Jim Laudato scored the Hampden Bank goal.
After the game, both teams gathered on the ice for presentation of the Cammer Cup, which is becoming a tradition in the sled hockey community.
It is named for Alex Camerlin, a Knights player who died at the age of 19. His passing in March of 2010 came two weeks before the WM Knights were to make their first appearance on MassMutual Center ice. Camerlin had been a key figure in getting the Knights team organized under the coaching of former Falcons executive Carole Appleton.
“Alex was the heart and soul of this team,” said his father, Chuck Camerlin of Longmeadow. “Hockey meant everything to him. It was the most exciting thing he did. He was inspirational to all when he played. Now, to see his teammates remembering him with the Cammer Cup is fantastic.”
David Petruzzelli had charge of the Hampden Financial team. His lineup consisted of players who are not disabled, but took to the sleds in the spirit of good competition.
“As you can see, we just couldn’t stay with the Knights because they’re experts at this game,” Petruzzelli said. “But you can learn from playing against them. They teach you a lot about attitude.”
Hampden’s lineup included D. J. Petruzzelli (Dave’s son), Mike Grise, Adam Mercer and Zach Prattson of Cathedral. The rest of the squad came from men’s adult leagues in West Springfield and Enfield.
“We try to help the Knights by donating equipment. They’ll need it for tournament play. I’m a hockey dad, and this is a good way for us to give something back to the game,” Petruzzelli said.
The Knights will take part in the New England Sled Hockey Championships, set for April 27-29 at their home rink, Amelia Park in Westfield.
Garry Brown can be reached at geeman1918@repub.com