by Ross Forman
They no longer are just that gay team, but rather, that championship team.
The Chicago Gay Hockey Association (CGHA)’s Blackwolves team defeated Thin Ice 3-1 on March 25 at the West Meadows Ice Arena in Rolling Meadows to claim the team’s second consecutive league championship.
The Blackwolves also won its division in last September’s annual Coors Cup Tournament, held in Los Angeles, CA.
“It’s nice to win the league title for the second year in a row; this really proves our first title was not a fluke,” said Andy Rogers, CGHA Board member and normally occupying right wing position on the Blackwolves team. “We worked hard this season, especially during the playoffs. Our second championship will, no doubt, be good for the group long-term; hopefully it will attract new members, fans and skaters.”
The Blackwolves ended their 2005-06 season in second place in the H2 division, capping it off with five consecutive wins, though none were easy. Especially the championship game. Thin Ice grabbed a 1-0 lead less than one minute into the game when a shot from the blue line deflected off a Thin Ice player’s stick and past goalie Keith Halverson.
“Any time a team scores in the first five minutes, it definitely has the potential to rattle that team that surrenders the goal,” Halverson said. “But we hung solid and eventually pulled out the win. This win was very typical for how our team has played all year. We’re all about determination.”
The Blackwolves trailed in two of their last three games heading into the third period.
Rusty Fleury, playing with the team for the first time in 2006, finally tied the score at 1-1 with 7:50 remaining in the third, converting a wristshot from the left side, off a pass from defenseman Ness.
Ness scored his own goal off a hard blueline shot at 3:30 to give the Blackwolves the lead, off a pass from Sikes.
“We never let up, even after we fell behind. We just kept playing hard,” Rogers said. “And it feels good to win the championship again this year. This was a very good team we played against. Neither team dominated (the play); this was just a good, well-played game.”
With the Thin Ice goalie pulled for the extra attacker in the remaining minutes, Rogers scored the insurance goal at :14 remaining, with a rink-long shot from the Blackwolves blue line into the empty net, off a clearing scrum in front of Halverson by Fleury.
“When teams played against us in our first year, they wanted to know if we could even skate. Now, I think they know we can play. We might have shocked people at the start by even creating a primarily-gay team, but now we get a lot of support and respect from other players and teams. We’re competitive, and we’re not only winning games but championships. I think other teams respect us for playing a tough, competitive game, and there’s less interest in the fact we’re a gay team.”
Halverson made 28 saves to secure the victory. Backup goalie Adams supported the team from the stands, along with the injured Reay, and growing Blackwolves following.
The CGHA Blackwolves team is a solid mix of gay, straight, lesbian and transgender skaters that also crosses all ethnic barriers. Pat Mazzone, who is straight, is in his third season with the team, and is one of its biggest supporters. Last year, he had to find out about the Blackwolves first championship win by phone while out of town on business. This year, he got to play and contribute on the ice.
“It was a great team effort and this is really a great group of guys,” Mazzone said. “The team is a conglomeration of every (sexual orientation) and the great thing is, (sexual orientation) is not the topic or even a discussion on this team. It’s just a bunch of guys who want and like to play hockey. Everyone is accepting of everyone for who they are.
“Winning the championship was nice, but truly, that was the icing on the cake. The best part of the Blackwolves is the fun we have — before, during and after the games.”
The CGHA is ready for the Gay Games this summer in Chicago, especially after the last year’s positive results.
“Mentally, we are in a perfect position for the Games,” said goalie Halverson. “We know we can compete and we have the confidence.”
CGHA founder Chuck Jacobson added: “Anyone coming to Chicago for the Games better be ready to go through the CGHA for the championship. The Games will be played in our home town, so we want to win it all”
The hockey portion of the Games will be played at the Heartland Arena in Lincolnwood, near the intersection of Lincoln Ave. and Touhy.
NEXT UP: The CGHA will be hosting its 2nd Annual Wolves Night Out on Saturday, April 15 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont. The Blackwolves will challenge the Chicago Whalers at 2.30 p.m., prior to the Wolves final regular-season game vs the Houston Aeros at 7.00 p.m. Tickets for the CGHA Fundraiser ($15) can be purchased at the door on game day, or for $16 through PayPal on the CGHA website.