Adult hockey league returns to MV Arena

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Bill Jacobs of the Pirates (left) and Mike Jackson of Max Fitness battle for the puck, while Bucs goalie Dan Van Landingham watches the play. — Photo by Ralph Stewart

Men’s recreational adult hockey has returned to the Martha’s Vineyard Arena for the first time in many years. The John Gibson Memorial Men’s Hockey League debuted September 26, with four teams — the Pirates, Sharks, Max Fitness, and a team of Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School varsity players — taking part. The non-checking league is named in memory of the late Mr. Gibson who was the director of the last organized Island league.

There will be three separate seasons, running through April 3, 2014, totaling 27 games for all teams with the exception of the MVRHS team which will drop out at the start of the high school season. The anticipation is that another group of players will replace the varsity team during the two succeeding seasons. The current season runs until Thanksgiving.

The cost per player is $300 for all three seasons or $125 per season. The fee includes a jersey that must be returned at the conclusion of the year. Games will be played on Thursday nights at 9 and 10 pm. The high school team always skates in the early game. Players may register at www.mvarena.com.

In fast-paced action October 10, Joe Merry, Mick Vukota, and Jock Cooperrider lit the lamp as the Sharks beat MVRHS, 3-0. Sharks goalie Jon Black earned the shutout. The Pirates took the nightcap, edging Max Fitness 6-5. The previous week, the high schoolers beat the Pirates, 6-4, and the Sharks edged Max Fitness, 6-5. On opening night, September 26, MVRHS tied Max Fitness, 2-2, and the Pirates crushed the Sharks, 5-0.

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