SHOOTOUT SCORES BIG WITH KIDS
Street hockey tourney brings fun, sun to all
West Roxbury kids traded in “Call of Duty” for slapshots.
The 11th annual Shamrock Shootout yesterday had youngsters filling up Temple Street for some street hockey action. Sticking with tradition, parents served as referees.
This year’s Shootout also had previous participants volunteering as refs.
“It’s a great neighborhood event. It keeps the kids away from the video games for a day,” said parent and co-organizer Michael O’Brien. “We have 575 kids playing at one time ... every kid gets a free shirt, free hockey stick and free lunch. It really brings the community together — we do it all together.”
O’Brien also noted the great weather, as spring finally arrived in the city.
“Mother nature loves a Shamrock Shootout,” O’Brien said.
Among the 80 volunteers was Diane Stowe, a parent of four, who said the event is the “best day in West Roxbury for the kids.”
Stowe’s 16-year-old son volunteered earlier in the day before his own baseball game.
“He’s been playing every year except the very first year,” Stowe said. “Now he’s paying it forward. He volunteered today and reffed last year. He did what he could before he had to leave for his game.”
West Roxbury resident Matt Impastato’s 12-year-old son also played in a tournament, composed of 38 teams with Irish-themed names playing on 19 makeshift rinks.
He said bringing his son to the event reminded him of his upbringing in rural, upstate New York.
“It makes Boston feel like a small town, it’s unbelievable,” he said.
Eleven-year-old Ryan Conneely can’t wait to play in next year’s shootout.
“It was really fun. I knew a lot of kids here,” Conneely said. “It’s always fun. I’ve never won, but it’s always been fun.”