After raising over $2,000 in his first year, Franklin County Hockey Association goaltender Jay McGinnis is back for year No. 2 of the October Saves Goalie Challenge.
The 11-year-old is hoping to continue the momentum from last year, as he raises money for cancer research during the month of October. October Saves’ slogan is “Every poke check and glove save can help your team win a game but it can also help raise money to fight cancer.”
To get on board, goalies register and make a page on the October Saves website. On that page, donors have two options — one is to make a flat donation to the charity, or the other is to make a pledged donation where you pledge to give a certain amount of money for every save the player makes during October.
The money then goes toward cancer research, with the funds raised specifically benefiting research for both women’s and pediatric cancers including the Lara’s League Women’s Cancer Research Fund at the Inova Schar Cancer Institute, Life with Cancer Center, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, CHEO and Stand up 2 Cancer. The donations also help fund the October Saves Scholarship with The Goalie Guild.
“It was fun last year,” began McGinnis. “It was my first time and it was really just fun because most importantly, I was able to raise money for cancer which is a big problem in the world right now.”
Interested donors can visit McGinnis’ page (octobersaves.org/goalie/paulemcginnis/) to donate. The FCHA 12U PeeWee goalie was so successful last year, he was honored during a Springfield Thunderbirds game this past January.
“That was really fun, not just for the award but for people to recognize how big of a thing it is,” McGinnis explained. “To be honest, I could care less about the award. I want to get the word out that people need to be more aware of how dangerous cancer is.”
McGinnis said it will likely be a more difficult year raising money due to COVID-19. He won’t have FCHA games to try and drum up funds, as the club is only practicing for the time being.
“Some of the events I did last year were canceled because of COVID-19 so there’s definitely a lot of changes,” he admitted. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to raise as much money but I’m going to try.”
Modifications to the sport of ice hockey have changed the way the game is played a bit at the youth level. McGinnis said centers have to wear masks during faceoffs, and there’s no contact and no checking. As a goalie, he said there’s an emphasis on keeping players away from the crease when he’s trying to cover the puck. While that may seem like an advantage, he said he misses the battle for possession with skaters bearing down.
“It’s definitely going to be different having nobody there as I cover the puck, nobody trying to break my fingers trying to break the puck loose,” he said. “But to be honest, those types of plays add that little bit of spice to the game that I enjoy.”
Mass Golf Women’s Fall Cup
The Country Club of Greenfield shined brightly on the big stage Thursday, and as a result, the club will have a shot at the Fall Cup Championship next month.
CCG’s team No. 1 of Terry Boyce, Diane Carme, Liz Dolby, Tina Brown, Nancy Donoghue and Liz Archer capped off a 3-0 record in Region 20 pool play on the strength of a 29½-24½ win over Holden Hills Country Club of Jefferson on Thursday night at Worcester Country Club.
CCG finished 3-0 in the four-ball format with wins over Holden Hills, the Country Club of Wilbraham and Worcester Country Club. As the winner of Region 20, the club advanced to the Fall Cup Championship set for October 13 at The Ridge Club in Sandwich.
CCG’s team No. 2 of Sue Welenc, Kathy Nicoll, Ann McHugh, Gail Miller, TC Emerson and Carla Bernier won their match on Thursday night, defeating Oak Hill, 28½-22½, to finish in third place in Region 19 in action played at Northern Spy Golf Club in Townsend.
CCG finished 1-1-1 in Region 19, which was won by host Northern Spy with a 2-0-1 record.
CFC Men’s League
Jason Germain stood alone atop the Crumpin-Fox Club Men’s League on Thursday night, posting a plus-7 point quota to nab top honors from the blue tees.
Michael O’Connell was second at plus-6, followed by Steve Colby in third place at plus-5. Erik Barnes, Ethan Stafford and Chris Stoddard shared fourth place honors at plus-4.
Closest to the pin on No. 3 was Jay Anctil (10 feet, 9 inches), while O’Connell was closest at No. 9 (3-1).
From the gold tees, Richard DeGray scored the top point quota at plus-5, followed by Peter Jenkins at plus-1 and Roger Rulewich and Gene Kugler at even.
Jenkins took closest to the pin honors at No. 3 (11-5) and Dave Puchalski was closest at No. 9 (27-11).
Ashfield Thursday Morning
The team of Bev LaBelle, Barb Ladd, Francie Hall, Terry Norwood shot 31 in a four-person scramble format to take top honors at the Ashfield Community Golf Club’s Thursday Morning League.
In second place with a 32 was the quartet of Connie Szelewicki, Bob Jillson, Tony Norwood and Diane O’Connell.