Fourth-seeded Max Fitness referred to themselves as The Dwellers as the John Gibson Memorial Men’s Ice Hockey League fall season reached the homestretch, thanks to their last place regular season record. But on November 14 at the Martha’s Vineyard Arena, the cellar dwellers proved fit enough to knock off the top-seeded Sharks, 5-3, and reach the championship game November 21 at 9 pm. Defenseman Derek Avakian led Max Fitness with two goals and an assist. Kraig Mundt, Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School boys varsity coach Matt Mincone, and Bobby Jackson also lit the lamp for the Maxes. Winning goalie Chuck Silvia was stellar in net.
Unfortunately, with the Fitness crew ahead 5-2, the contest deteriorated into a series of skirmishes in the final minutes. Travis Thurber netted a late goal for the Sharks. Jock Cooperrider and Mark Blodgett also tallied for the Sharks.
Max Fitness advanced to play the second-seeded MVRHS team, who defeated the third-seeded Pirates, 5-4, in overtime. Alexander Vukota notched the game winner for the high schoolers. Nick Kent, the Burkes — Huck and Sam — plus Andrew Wiley all scored for MVRHS, who outshot the Pirates, 23-18, for the night. Brandon Willett potted a pair of goals for the Bucs. Bobby Sprague and Phil Mercier also tallied.
