Dover All-Stars give up hockey match tiebreaker to McGuire, 6-8

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Steve Lewis
  • 512th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The Dover Air Force Base All-Stars fell to New Jersey's McGuire Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst All-Stars in a close 6-8 ice hockey match in Philadelphia's Wachovia Center March 28.

Taking to the ice in the same arena that hosts the National Hockey League's Philadelphia Flyers, both teams faced off in what proved to be a heated battle for this year's owner of the famed Commander's Cup trophy.

Both Dover and McGuire returned to face off for a third consecutive year bringing back veteran players along with freshman talent from the regular Air Force, Reserve and civilian sector.

Dover's powerhouse defense and skilled goalie, Nicholas Koski-Vacirca, weren't enough to stop McGuire's onslaught in the first period with two quick goals. But, Dover's Corey Borque and his fellow offense helped the team quickly fire back, putting two fresh goals on the scoreboard.

"For another year coming out here, McGuire's always ready for us, they're a tough team," said Borque. "After I scored those goals, I felt like we were going to bring the team back. It felt good."

Tied in the second period, Dover tried to take command of the match, but McGuire held on equally strong, firing a third goal in the net. As both teams soldiered on in the second period, the match was tied yet again as Dover's John Dowgos helped bring the score to 3-3.

As the third and final period went on, Dover fought hard to climb back from McGuire's eventual 8-goal lead when Jason Melendez slapped a puck into the net. With a possible comeback in sight, Dover's Forrest Wright followed Melendez's lead with another goal for the team.

The match came to a close with a final score of 6-8 and McGuire hanging on to the Commander's Cup Trophy for another year.

"McGuire had a good team this year, but we also had a few new players which made the game more competitive," said Koski-Vacirca. "I loved being out on the ice, but I'm playing with guys who are 20 years younger than me; Dover needs a younger goalie to keep up with everyone."

Like years past, this third-annual hockey match is also a fundraiser. Both Dover and McGuire worked together to raise $1,410 in ticket sales. Proceeds are donated to the Combined Federal Campaign and Air Force Assistance Fund, which benefits military families in need. This year's sales raises the total donation including the past years to about  $5,000, said McGuire's Michael Ramos, who played on the team and worked with Dover to organize the matches.

"We've contacted the Flyers management and will hopefully do two games next year instead of one, which will help multiply the numbers we'll raise for charity," said Ramos.

Although McGuire has broken last year's tie with this year's win, the Dover team will be back on the ice at the Wachovia Center next year with another chance to reclaim the Commander's Cup.