March 31, 2014

  by: Gloria Andolina

The 2014 Crash Cadillac Men’s Ice Hockey Team traveled to Rochester, NY last weekend to play in the Lakeshore Hockey Arena Tournament of Beers. This year’s team had players from all over New York State, including Fredonia/Dunkirk, Rochester, Syracuse, Oswego and Evans, NY. Goaltender Gloria Andolina posted a shut-out Friday night in a big 8-0 win against the Dead Hawaiians in Game 1 of the Tournament, while power forward Mike “Goose” Catuzza scored a hat trick and was awarded the coveted Crash Cadillac MVP belt for the game. The team celebrated by running up an incredible bar tab and closing a local establishment.The many, many, (possibly too many) beers did not help the team in their Saturday morning Game 2 of the Tournament against a chippy Ice Holes team, that left them with a 6-5 loss. The MVP belt was presented to defenseman Tommy Coughlan for notching 2 goals for the losing Crash Cadillac team. The loss in Game 2 was quickly forgotten as the team spent the next several hours before Game 3 grilling and partying in the rink parking lot. Despite the cold weather, players huddled under the team tent (provided by Center Ken Stewart) with their beer of choice and put down burgers and hot dogs grilled up by Defenseman Tim Moynihan. Saturday evening’s Game 3 saw the Crash Cadillac team up against a tough and sober Team Fireman. Needless to say, the team ended up with their second loss of the weekend, a 6-2 romping. Goaltender Gloria Andolina, possibly the only sober player on the ice, took the MVP belt for standing on her head and keeping the score close. After the 3 game seeding round, team Crash Cadillac headed into the elimination semi-final game on Sunday morning against a very strong Blues Brothers team. Right wing Brian Wojcinski led the team offensively with 3 goals and an assist, including the empty netter that solidified a 7-5 Crash Cadillac victoryand warrantedhim the Game 4 MVP belt. Goalie Gloria Andolina made a game-saving breakaway stop against team Blues Brothers star forward in the final seconds of the third period to assure the team’s win and a spot in the Sunday afternoon Championship game. A good lunch and lack of alcohol consumption had the Crash Cadillac team ready to go for the Championship Game versus the Ice Holes. Already losing to the Ice Holes team on Saturday morning gave the team even more reason to want to kick some butt. It was a hard-hitting and fierce battle between the two teams – both penalties and goals were abundant –Catuzza having his 2nd hat trick of the weekend. With under 5 minutes left in the 3rd period, team Captain Lee Andolina took the puck that deflected off of the rear-end of line mate Susan Archacki and buried a backhand top corner over the Ice Holes’ goaltender. What was thought to be the clinching goal made the score 6-5 in favor of Crash Cadillac. However, 3 goals in the final 3 minutes of the game brought the teams to a 7-7 tie and a chance to win in sudden death overtime. The Ice Holes started overtime with an odd man rush but Andolina turned aside their scoring attempts. With 4 minutes gone in OT, former MCC star Joe Zaccaria found himself one-on-one with the opposing goalie. After several scoring opportunities in regulation time with no success, Zaccaria finally put the puck in the net over the goalie’s shoulder. It was an exhilarating moment as the Crash Cadillac team rushed the ice from the bench to celebrate the

Championship win!

LINDA'S BLOG

Sorry friends it has been awhile since I have done a blog. Between two new grandchildren, acquiring guardianship of my mom and dealing with a few medical setbacks I just haven't found the time.  Now that things are starting to settle down and I'm healing from full knee replacement surgery, I want to say a few things. First of all, all of you have been such a blessing to our lives.  The prayers, the well wishes, the support, the smiles, the handshakes and the hugs have helped us through many challenges over the last couple years and we can't thank you enough. The beautiful flowers, cards and prayers, during my recent surgery, literally brought tears to my eyes. A few of  you have helped to take care of me by carting me around in a wheelchair, driving me here and there to appointments, bringing us delicious food and heartwarming gifts or by simply sitting down, visiting and sharing friendly conversation.  Oh yes, and then there's the escorting me on and off the stage, bringing me water, lifting my leg and seeing to it that I have everything I need or want to keep me comfortable.  It is all so truly amazing. My wonderful husband has had his hands full pulling double and even triple duty, taking care of me, Dozer and all of the household duties, around the clock....... Our children have set aside their busy lives to cook... prepare... clean, and do things to make our life a little easier. I'm sorry this is a little lengthy but I have so much to say and I want to reach every one of you...  Crash Cadillac is not just a band.... We are not just a group of friends that get up there and perform. It's so much more than that. The passion the commitment, the dedication... talent and love that we share between ourselves on and off the stage is a special bond, no one could ever imagine. The smiles we share, the deep love and support and the way we care for each other is something I'm sure many families have never even experienced. The talent of the four gentlemen that I share the stage with sends chills through my body every time we perform.. And when I watch all of our fans looking up at us and smiling and clapping and dancing and truly enjoying every moment proves to me that this is what we are meant to do with our lives and when we see you reacting this way it drives our passion even more... I cannot thank you all enough for sharing this life with us.... This is what make us successful. I know that if it weren’t for the other (better) halves of our lives, Donna, Joe, Debbie, Lori and Claudia offering strong support, we couldn’t appreciate, with comfort, our commitment to the band and we are grateful for them. Donna and Joe, you both are our ROCK. Our Crash Cadillac family gets larger and larger and we love every minute of it.... I thank God for blessing us with this love and talent and for allowing us to touch every heart and for every heart that touches us...
Love you all...
Bye for now
Linda