ARMY MARCHES TO SUMMER CLASSIC “A” TITLE WITH 3-2 WIN

The Hometown Hockey Summer Classic tournament, held July 8-10 at the Andover Community Center, paid tribute to the United States Armed Forces, naming teams of 2nd-6th grade skaters after each branch of the military.

Before Sunday’s championship games, each player was introduced, along with an announcement of who in that player’s family had served in the military.

After the presentation of colors by the color guard, the national anthem and a rousing rendition of Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA,” the puck dropped and the Classic final was underway.

Navy skated to a 2-0 lead in the second period on consecutive goals by Wesley Chan and Ian Johnson, but Army’s Gavin Sullivan cut the lead to 2-1 after two periods.

Army tied the game in the third, and the teams played to a 2-2 tie after regulation and overtime.

In the ensuing shootout, Caleb Tindal snuck the puck past Navy goaltender Logan Meister to earn the trophy for Army. 

SUMMER CLASSIC “AA” CHAMPIONSHIP CLAIMED BY NAVY, 1-0 OVER AIR FORCE

Tyler Trombley scored late in the first period to give Navy a 1-0 lead, and Navy held on to that lead for the remainder of the game to take the “AA” title in the Summer Classic.

Despite the loss, Air Force goaltender Carter Wostrel was a true stud between the pipes, turning away 36 Navy shots and keeping his team in the game.

Not to be outdone, Navy goaltender Ryan Wallin made 21 saves and earned the shutout victory.