The All Island Handicapped Sports team, under Director and Coach William Schwarz of Massapequa, won the Sled Hockey Gold Medal at Pennsauken, NJ, Feb. 1,2 and 3. Competing against highly skilled teams from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland, All Island's incredible group of athletes, which includes Massapequa residents Steve Martucci, Rich Auletta, and Adam Mertz, swept onto the ice and brought home the Gold.

Sled Hockey is a popular sport in Canada, Sweden, Minnesota and New England that was virtually unheard of until the All Island Handicapped Sports, Inc. organization came on the scene approximately a decade ago.

The game is played with all players using sleds. Each sled is outfitted with two blades on the bottom. Players are strapped onto the sleds and given two hockey sticks used for both mobility and puck handling. The rules of the game are identical to those in ice hockey, and have led to more than one "face off" between the New York Islanders Hockey team and All Island.

As if the sport itself wasn't challenging enough, the players each face additional challenges, such as Spina Bifida, Downes Syndrome, and Muscular Dystrophy. Ranging in age from 10 to 20 years old, the co-ed team practices from 8 to 9:30 a.m. every Saturday at Marjorie Post Park in Massapequa.

To take the gold in Pennsauken, a rapid-fire shoot out ensued following a 1 to 1 tie with Maryland. Focused team members Bryan Genovese and Rich Auletta scored goals. Goalie Adam Mertz valiantly turned back each of the Maryland shots on goal in the frenzied shoot-out.

All Island Handicapped Sports also took home both the gold and bronze medals Jan. 15 in the Junior Division at the Canadian International Sled Hockey Tournament in Waterloo, Ontario.

Anyone interested in becoming a member of All Island Handicapped Sports team should call Coach Rich Northorn (631) 884-4971. Anyone interested in making a donation to the team, which will be used to buy equipment and ice-time should call the above number.