Clarksburg Students Face off Against Berkshire Battalion

Battalion members face off against tabletop hockey pros at Clarksburg School The Friday after-school program runs for 12 weeks.

CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Clarksburg Elementary students competing for their own Stanley Cup in tabletop hockey were joined Friday by special guests from the Berkshire Battalion.

When walking past eighth-grade English teacher Michael Little's classroom, it was hard to avoid the clacking of plastic hockey pucks and blaring air horns. Upon entering the classroom, nearly 40 children were excitedly pulling and twisting levers in attempt to score on their classmates while Little stood on a chair asking them for their best rebel yell.

This was a typical Friday in Little's tabletop hockey after-school program for children in Grades 5 through 8.

"The kids love it. It gets loud in here, and it gets rowdy," Little said. "Towards the end of the season when the standings get real tight and you have to win this game, it gets pretty intense in here. Just like hockey."

Students shifted around and played fast five minute games with each other. Typically, a student will play nearly 40 matches in a season, Little said.

He brought the program to Clarksburg several years ago, when he first started teaching at the school. He pointed out a giant Stanley Cup replica that boasts the name of the student with the most wins at the end of the 12-week season.

Little said the program is a good activity for the children with many valuable lessons.

"I want kids to have a social activity that is different than video games," he said. "It has a lot of hand-eye coordination, it has a lot to do with being able to think very quickly on your feet, and when it gets further into the season, it is going to teach them about competition."

Friday's match was special because the students faced off against some members of the local semi-pro hockey team, the Berkshire Battalion.

Little said students have a "Clarksburg Day" every Sunday at the rink and it is nice for the players to visit the school.

"When these guys come up it is a shared thing," he said "Everybody is together … and in this case it is hockey that brings us together whether if it is on the ice or on the table."

Battalion player Jeff Sanders said he has never experienced a program like Little's.

The student with the most wins for the season gets his or her name placed on this Stanley Cup replica.

"I think it is really cool," Sanders said. "It gets the kids together after school, keeps them busy, and gives them time away from their homework. We love doing this kind of stuff because without them we wouldn't be here."

Sanders said the tabletop game is not so different than playing on the ice, however, he said he was having a hard time getting a win.

"It's pretty crazy out there, and these kids are pretty good," he said. "They have been giving us a hard time. I am the rookie right now."

Reigning champion Daniel Beebe said it was a totally new experience playing the Battalion.

"It's pretty cool," Beebe said. "It's really fun, and I like how intense it gets."

Student Vincent Mulder said the tournament is a good way to end the week.

"It's a really fun game and it's a great way to end the school week," Mulder said. "I like just playing the game and having fun."

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