Wareham/Carver Vikings hockey team hits cancer
Win puts team’s record at 7-2 with playoffs approaching
Jan 16, 2019
Fans cheer on the Vikings during a recent hockey game that doubled as a cancer fundraiser. Photo by: Matthew Bernat
Kevin Adduci of Carver has Vikings’ hockey player and friend Connor Tait’s name on his chest during the game. Photo by: Matthew Bernat
A recent Wareham/Carver Vikings hockey game was about more than the score, even as the potent team notched a 2-1 win against Apponequet.
“Everybody is affected by cancer,” said assistant Coach Quirino doCanto. “We wanted to raise money for a good cause, the American Cancer Society, and we got a great crowd.”
A raucous student crowd arrived for the team’s first Blackout Cancer fundraiser at the Gallo Ice Arena in Bourne. Through raffles and games, the event raised money and awareness for cancer research. Fans were encouraged to wear black, and many did.
doCanto said in addition to raising money for the American Cancer Society the event drummed up excitement for a team soon headed to the playoffs. The team’s record is now 7-2 overall and 2-0 in the South Coast Conference
“The team has been playing very well and they deserve a big crowd,” said doCanto.
Gina Valatkevicz, whose husband Rick is the team’s head coach, worked one of the raffle tables during the event.
She, like many others, were pleased to see the team surging toward the playoffs with a large crowd in the stands.
“It’s so heartening to see,” she said. “I have no words to describe it.”
