Photo essay: Whalers and Bluefins mix it up

DANBURY, Conn – The Federal Hockey League, in its second season, has had some hiccups in the 2011/12 season but the on-ice product is gaining credibility. A recent match between the Cape Cod Bluefins and the Danbury Whalers featured the return of veteran player Billy Tibbetts to the ice for the Bluefins. With something of a checkered past, Tibbetts was first seen as an odd addition to a “A” level side.

Tibbetts was signed by Cape Cod earlier in the day prior to this match with the Whalers. Given his history on and off ice fans expected that he would skate one shift, pick a fight, get ejected and go home with his check.

Instead, he had a five-point night with one goal (empty net) and four assists. That’s a point on every Bluefin goal in this game. He skated regular shifts all night. He took the lion’s share of the faceoffs for the Bluefins and won most of them.

Moreover, Tibbetts was a leader on the ice. He appeared to be pointing and coaching, telling teammates where to stand, holding a little “huddle” with his line-mates prior to one particular first-period faceoff.

Another interesting sidebar is Peter Maro, a 40(+)-year-old orthodontist from Rye, NY, in goal for Danbury. Maro has been a fixture in Danbury hockey having played with the New England Stars (NEHL), the Hudson Valley Bears (EPHL), and others.

No full line brawls took place in this game but two individual bouts took place in the final minute.

This was an exciting game and showcased some new and veteran talent in the FHL.