This article was originally published February, 2013. The students mentioned below have since progressed one grade (or graduated). The Fieldston News is re-publishing this article in response to the continuing conflict and excitement surrounding the 2014 Poly vs. Fieldston game, this Friday, February 21st.
What started off as a friendly way of getting the word out that the Fieldston Varsity Hockey team would be in action last Friday against Poly Prep, the “event page” on Facebook turned into a whole lot more. Per usual, students seeking relief from the stress of their work checked into the social networking website to get an update on, well just about anything. However, when their attention was brought to the hockey event page, many students could not believe their eyes.
“From who has more Division-I athletes to the quality of academics, anything and everything seemed to be in play,” noted Junior Zach Jaffe. Though many students were surprised by the personal and intense nature of “trash talk,” some like Junior, Will Magliocco, think it was for the better. “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” said Magliocco who was in the stands last Friday night. “I think it’s great to have a cross-city rivalry that will carry over into other sports.”
Senior and team co-captain Justin Landis said the event page was a “great way for the team and the fans to get excited for the game.” Nothing, however, could match the excitement down at Chelsea Piers Sky Rink where teachers, students, alumni, and parents poured in to cheer on the team. Behind a hat trick from Sophomore Noah Breite, the eagles dominated the Blue Devils of Brooklyn, winning 7-0. Seniors Ben Pruzan and Keith Brandner split time in net to record the shutout.
Senior Sam Beck said that he has never felt that much energy on the ice before. The crowd “escalated the game a lot.” He continued, “the stakes are higher and all you want to do is play well. We owed it to the kids that showed up.”
Looking back, Beck says that everyone on the ice seemed to be playing inspired hockey. “The moment Poly insulted us personally, we knew we had to go out there and kick some ass.” Landis believes that last weekend transcended hockey and spoke to a camaraderie unique to Fieldston. “It shows how tight we are as a community,” he said. “It was definitely an orange crowd.”
In recent years, the phenomenon of heated online forums between rival schools has gained popularity. It is quickly becoming a staple of every big Fieldston sporting event. Fans are relishing at the fact that they no longer have to wait until the game to get “rowdy.”
Some may think that the virtual clash of student bodies is unethical, whereas others wouldn’t change a thing. But regardless of where you stand on that issue, the bottom line from last week is abundantly clear: FIELDSTON. F-ING. HOCKEY.
