For the love of Canton hockey

Matty Marcone reacts after scoring the game-tying goal. (Mike Barucci photo)

By Police Chief Ken Berkowitz

Last week, I witnessed one of the greatest events in the history of Canton High School. It was a sports moment that will rival Bobby Witt’s successes in the Major Leagues, Steve Rooney’s Stanley Cup, or the NCAA hockey championships won respectively by Joe and Kevin Rooney. For a long time, Canton High School hockey has been a premier program in the state. It has always been a team steeped in tradition and defined by its accomplishments and dominance in the Hockomock League. On this night, however, the biggest goal in team history was going to be scored.

January 12, 2016, had all the drama of the 2010 state championship or a Franklin game where the league title was at stake. It was a story of overcoming unsurmountable odds, a story of perseverance and a story of passion and dedication to the game. It was going to be a life lesson for our boys to cherish in their hearts for the rest of their lives.

As I walked into the rink, I could feel the energy. I looked around and observed fans from both teams file in. I watched the intensity on the faces of the usual “crazy hockey dads” (of which I am proudly one), those who live out every play as if we were out there ourselves. I watched the excitement on the faces of the hockey moms, a look that is usually reserved for another mother’s new pair of Uggs. Yet this night was definitely different. It was about a young teammate who had grown up with our children and was always there by their side. It was about a teammate who shared the wins, losses, practices, and the camaraderie but never got to step out on the ice and take a shift. He was benched, not for lack of skill or effort, but by a rare disorder called dyskeratosis congenita. As a result of the compassion, empathy and sportsmanship of our coach Brian Shuman and Stoughton coach Dan Mark, that was all going to change this evening, and a proverbial wrong was going to be righted.

At the beginning of the game, we were caught a little off guard by a quick Stoughton goal, and our exuberance changed back to “crazy hockey parent” anxiety. Then it happened, like a scene out of one my favorite movies of all time, Rudy. The coach looked down the bench and called on number 11, Matty Marcone. And as if some greater power was in charge for the next 10-15 seconds, Matty stepped out on the ice to take the faceoff. He battled hard and won the faceoff. Matty followed his hockey instincts and skated hard towards the net, splitting the defense. Time stood still as Matty buried a hard wrist shot top corner. The game was tied. The players from both benches emptied to congratulate Matty, and at that moment, the world seemed a little kinder, a little friendlier, and a little more tranquil in the midst of the most deafening applause.

On this night, no one seemed to care about lines, saves, minutes, juniors, prep schools, or college scholarships. The usually insane hockey dads and moms were wiping tears from their eyes. To finish it off, the hockey Gods sent their approval by frosting the roads with the first snowfall of the season. We were all reminded of what hockey, but more importantly, life really means. So thank you Matty for being a hockey role model and an inspiration for your teammates. I am confident that you will continue to defy the odds and amaze all of us for years to come.

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