
The FM Hockey Columbus Day Shootout brought several top bantam teams from across the northeast to the Merrimack Valley over the long holiday weekend.
The tournament was split into four divisions with each age group having a red and blue division. The Red Division was the top division for both age groups. Neponset Valley River Rats won the 2005 Red Division while Boston Hockey Club captured the 2006 Red Division. Rochester Selects and Boston Advantage were victorious in the 2005 Blue Division and 2006 Blue Division, respectively.
Neponset Valley River Rats, coached by longtime BC High coach John Flaherty, won three close games in Monday’s playoff action. In the quarterfinals, the team downed Mount Saint Charles, 3-2, in overtime. Following that was a 2-1 victory over Boston Jr. Rangers in the semifinals and a 4-2 triumph over North Jersey Avalanche in the final. Right wing Joe Hurton had the game-winning goal in the championship game.
Boston Hockey Club captured the championship at the 2006 Red Division with a 4-0 win over Boston Advantage in the final. The team beat Middlesex Icemen and Rochester Selects in the quarterfinals and semifinals.