Teamwork Triumphs in Thrilling Playoff Finale

In a heart-pounding playoff showdown Monday night, Gears Beer showcased the power of teamwork and depth, clinching victory in a dramatic shootout against Saber Electric. With solid defense, relentless back-checking, and contributions from every player, Gears Beer proved to be a formidable force all season.

The roster featured a rock-solid defensive core with Mike Hagerman, Brad Kraemer, Tim Doucette, and Jamie Galant. On offense, John Garrish, Bill Read, Steve Suffel, Dave Crabill, Ed McGrath, Brian Mullin, and the dynamic duo of Denise and JP Dumoulin brought skill and chemistry to the ice. John Finn, who was visiting the Gulf of America, was absent for the final game. In net, Mike Davis delivered a stellar performance throughout the playoffs, proving to be the backbone of the team.

This season marked the first time Denise and JP Dumoulin played on the same team, a decision made during the pre-season draft to simplify their carpooling to games. However, the married couple made it clear they didn’t want to be placed on the same line—a humorous agreement that added a lighthearted twist to their debut season together.

Depth Wins Championships

Throughout the playoffs, Gears Beer relied on every player on the roster, refusing to shorten the bench even in critical moments. This strategy paid off in the finals as Saber Electric leaned heavily on their top five players during the last ten minutes of regulation and overtime. By contrast, Gears Beer kept rolling lines, maintaining energy and pressure until the very end.

“Exactly, you played everyone and WON! Classy! Congrats! Well deserved!” said Greg Parker, one of the many fans in the “Peanut Gallery” who watched the game unfold.

Saber Electric faced adversity early in the playoffs when their starting goalie, Tom Gwillim, was injured in the first game. They brought in a higher-seeded young talent, Edwin Dean, who proved to be a formidable replacement. The goalie duel between Dean and Davis set the stage for an epic playoff battle.

A Defensive Chess Match

The game was a defensive chess match, with both teams battling for control at center ice and stifling offensive opportunities through relentless checking. Neither team managed to set up much offense until the 25:49 mark, when Steve Suffel fed the puck into the corner. John Garrish retrieved it and found Dave Crabill in front of the net, who tapped it past Dean to give Gears Beer a 1-0 lead.

The lead held until the 3:53 mark of the third period, when Saber Electric’s Steven Malenich sent a breakout pass to Joe Nesbit. Nesbit’s shot somehow squeezed past Davis, tying the game at 1-1 and sending the crowd into a frenzy.

During the five-minute overtime period, both teams played conservatively, avoiding mistakes and limiting offensive chances. With no change in the score, the game headed to a shootout.

Shootout Drama

As the home team, Gears Beer chose to shoot last. Mike Davis stood tall in net, stopping all three Saber Electric shooters. On the other end, Edwin Dean denied the first two Gears Beer attempts. It all came down to Jamie Galant, who skated in with confidence and flipped the puck past Dean for the game-winning goal.

The bench erupted as Gears Beer celebrated their hard-fought victory.

“I’m really proud of our team,” said Dave Crabill. “It was a great locker room, and everyone contributed on the ice.”

Bragging Rights Secured

Now, the bragging rights for Gears Beer are good for a year! Of course, Dave made a t-shirt to celebrate the win:)

On sale with discounted pricing for a limited time, grab yours today!

There’s nothing quite like outdoor hockey. The fresh air, the sounds of skates cutting into the ice, and the simple joy of playing the game the way it was meant to be played—outside, surrounded by friends, family, and a shared love for the sport.

This year’s Doan’s Winter Classic delivered all that and more, thanks to some incredible competition, an unmatched rink setup, and, of course, a well-timed transition to food and beer when Mother Nature decided to step in.

The Rink: Built with Passion, Maintained with Dedication

Before a single puck dropped, countless hours of work went into making this tournament possible.

At the heart of it all is Jim Doan, the man behind the rink, who has poured time, effort, and money into creating a top-notch outdoor hockey experience for everyone. From regular maintenance to investing in a new tarp two years ago for over $2,000, Jim’s dedication is the foundation of the Classic.

But no great rink is built alone. Dave Crabill has been a fixture at nearly every work detail, and is our chief nag to recruit skaters:) Mike “Eddie” Edwards and Scott Polisky have also been key in building the rink, shoveling, resurfacing, and ensuring everything is game-ready.

And let’s not forget the extra hands that bring the experience to life:

• Charles Partridge has been a consistent helper, always there when work needs to be done.
• Cooper Goalie on YouTube not only lends a hand but also captures the action with his GoPro, adding another layer of excitement to the event.

With so many contributing their time, effort, and even food and donations to the rink fund, this wasn’t just a tournament—it was a true community event.

The Ultimate Backyard Hockey Setup

The Doan’s Winter Classic isn’t just about the on-ice action—it’s the entire experience.

• The heated barn provides a warm retreat between games, featuring a bathroom, a popcorn machine, and even a Pepsi machine that conveniently dispenses beer (arguably its most important function).
• The rink itself was in fantastic shape for the start of the day, thanks to all the prep work. The conditions held strong until the later games, when a wet snow rolled in—but even that couldn’t dampen the mood.

When you’ve got great ice, great people, and plenty of cold drinks, you know you’re in for a fantastic day.

The Teams & Family Ties

This year’s tournament saw four teams hit the ice, each stacked with talent and plenty of on-ice chemistry. What really stood out, though, was the family connections—three father-son duos laced up together, adding an extra layer of friendly competition to the day.

• Doan’s High Life – Led by the legendary Doan himself, this squad featured Eddie, Crabill, Hall, Polisky, and Doan, looking to dominate with skill and experience.
• Lagermen – Featuring a strong lineup of Pat, Garrettson, Justin, and Topoliski, these guys brought speed, grit, and a no-quit attitude to every shift.
• Porter – With Mike Kavlakian, Dom & Doug Druin, and Gerald Edwards, this team came to play and ultimately took home the title—but more on that later.
• Stout – A team name that got mysteriously changed to DDD in the final results (inside joke, last-minute sponsorship, or a glitch in the hockey matrix?), this squad featured Ian & Mark Rouleau, Maxton & Steve Ragge – and was home to two father-son duos.

The family connections made the games even more intense:

• Doug and Dom battled side by side for Porter.
• Ian and Mark teamed up on Stout.
• Raggs and Maxton also played for Stout, making it the only team with two father-son pairings.

Our “official” photographer for the day, Annabel Ward!
Thanks Annabel!

In the background are Helena Robbins and Jessica Druin. They braved the cold to watch the action.

Game Results: A Tight Battle for the Top

The day started with strong matchups and some great back-and-forth play. The scores tell the story:

✅ Doan’s 4 – Stout 1 – Doan’s High Life came out flying, setting the tone early.

✅ Porter 6 – Lagermen 3 – A high-scoring affair saw Porter take control.

✅ Doan’s 3 – Porter 5 – A crucial win for Porter as they inched closer to the title.

✅ Stout 3 – Lagermen 1 – Stout (or DDD?) bounced back with a solid win.

✅ Doan’s 5 – Lagermen 1 – Another strong showing for Doan’s squad.

✅ Stout 1 – Porter 1 – A defensive battle, ending in a hard-fought tie.

With the snow starting to fall and conditions getting a little less than ideal, the group made the ultimate veteran hockey decision:

“Let’s call it and focus on the food and beer.”

And just like that, the tournament wrapped up in the most perfect way possible—a mix of great competition, good laughs, and a well-timed transition to the real reason we all love these events: the post-game celebration.

With Porter finishing with the best record, they were officially crowned the Doan’s Winter Classic Champions. No trophy was necessary—just the satisfaction of a job well done and maybe an extra round of beers in their honor.

A Perfect Ending to a Classic Tournament

At the end of the day, it wasn’t just about the scores. It was about the shared moments—the battles on the ice, the father-son duos making memories, and the realization that sometimes, the best way to end a tournament is to enjoy the company around you.

A huge thank you to everyone who:
✅ Helped build and maintain the rink.
✅ Played, cheered, and made this event what it was.
✅ Brought food or donated to keep the rink going.

This tournament wouldn’t happen without the dedication and generosity of the players and community. The Doan’s Winter Classic isn’t just a tournament—it’s a tradition, and one that keeps getting better every year.

Until next time—keep your edges sharp, your passes crisp, and always know when it’s time to call it for a beer.

🏒 🍻 See you all next time! 🍻🏒

2025 Doan’s Winter Classic

Flint Inner City Youth Hockey Program

Rico Phillips runs a hockey program out of Dort Event Center for inner city youth. This is an important program to introduce ice hockey to those who otherwise would not have that opportunity.

Rico is looking for help. He has an opening for an Equipment Manager volunteer with the Flint Inner City Youth Hockey Program.

The program introduces and teaches ice skating and hockey to kids in Flint between the ages of 7-12. This season starts on Saturday, January 25, and runs for eight sessions through March 23 at the Dort Event Center.

Each week, participants will check their gear in and out of our equipment storage room.

The Equipment Manager will be responsible for distributing and collecting the gear bags. Additionally, the manager will need to make minor equipment repairs or adjustments, so some knowledge and skill in this area are necessary.

Here is this season’s schedule:

Sat, Jan 25, 2025: 11:00 AM – 2:15 PM
Sun, Jan 26, 2025: 1:00 PM-3:20 PM

Sat, Feb 01, 2025: 10:30 AM – 12:45 PM

Sat, Feb 15, 2025: 12:00 PM – 2:20 PM

Sat, Feb 22, 2025: 12:00 PM – 2:20 PM

Sat, Mar 08, 2025: 12:00 PM – 2:20 PM

Sat, Mar 15, 2025: 12:00 PM – 2:20 PM

Sat, Mar 22, 2025: 12:00 PM – 2:20 PM

Sun, Mar 23, 2025 (Big Game & Banquet): 11:45 AM – 3:30 PM

Any interested person can call Rico at (810) 513-0189 or email rico.phillips616@gmail.com