BROCKTON — This was a moment in the works for four years; it was only one shift, but it was beautiful.

Matty Marcone, a senior at Canton High known affectionately in the hallways and classrooms as “The Mayor,” had dreamt — for as long as he could remember — about pulling on his school’s hockey jersey and taking the ice with his teammates to play the game he loves.

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You see, Marcone has dealt with health issues his entire life. In 2012, he was diagnosed with dyskeratosis congenita, a rare genetic disorder that results in premature bone marrow failure. It is an incurable disease, but Marcone has never let it rule his way of life. So last night, and in collaboration between Hockomock League rivals Canton and Stoughton, in a game at Asiaf Arena in Brockton, he took that long-awaited shift and scored a goal, securing his legacy forevermore in Bulldogs history.

“It felt good because I love scoring goals,” Marcone, who donned his older brother Jason’s No. 11, said. “I liked coming here and seeing all the fans, and it was just really cool out there. I was a little nervous coming in, but after I scored that goal, I was just so excited.”

For his mother, Susan, the emotion was almost too much to handle. Seeing her son, a kid who has never let his disabilities slow him down, fulfill a dream will leave a lasting memory.

“This is unbelievable,” she said while fighting back back tears. “Matty works harder than everybody because of his disabilities and it is wonderful that people are recognizing him for the person he is. He has the kindest heart and he never complains and says, ‘Why me?’ He is just happy to be around his friends and teammates; they have rallied around him and they watch over him. He is really part of this team and that is awesome.”

For Matty Marcone’s teammates, who always see him first as a friend and teammate, to play a part in such a special night meant more than any win ever could.

“Matty has been here all four years and he has never had an opportunity to play, so it is great to have him come out and have a shift and see his dream of playing with the boys for one night come true,” senior captain Justin Slocum said.

Added junior captain Jackson Maffeo: “Matty is a big part of this team. He’s always helped us and he is always there; he is just one of the guys and he is a big part of Canton hockey. Matty is one of us.”

The evening came about thanks in large part to the relationship between Stoughton coach Dan Mark and Canton coach Brian Shuman. For one shift it was decided, hockey would take a backseat.

“Brian and I were on the same page and it wasn’t even a question when he asked, because tonight the game came second,” Mark said.

When the moment finally came to fruition, the emotions, again, took over.

“Tonight is what high school sports is all about, which is making someone’s dream come true, and there is no better program or coach to do it with than Stoughton,” Shuman said. “Matty has been with our program for four years and I knew from Day One that we wanted to do something for him. He is one of the kindest people I’ve ever met and he is an inspiration without trying. Matty Marcone makes us better people just being around him.”