The bus departed on Friday and was leaving the city in unfavourable conditions (the bus was a good choice). T he ride took about 8 hours but all arrived safe and sound. Game 1 was a 2-0 win as the Rangers looked to find their legs after the bus ride and late night arrival to their hotel. Game 2 was another win 3-0 and the boys had the remainder of the day off.
They played a single game on Sunday and scored another victory 3-2 which put them into the semi finals on Monday Morning (Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the States). The semi final game looked to be a rematch of game 3 vs McQuad, (a varsity team that does not play together often but a high school team that will enter tournaments outside of their district teams). So far on the weekend McQuad was the best best competition for our Rangers so this semi final game was going to be a big one. Ranger Coaches were impressed with their team's "defense first" approach to the weekend. Forwards, defencemen and goaltenders were at the top of their defensive games and the goals against was a good indication of their efforts. The Rangers were able to control most games including the semi final game and won a good battle 3-2 Now it was on to the final Monday afternoon with a rematch of game 1 (2-0 score) in which our boys were victorious. The score in the final was 4-1. Coach Jim wanted to highlight the fact that the penalty kill went 100% over the weekend.

We are glad to hear that Liam N. was able to bounce back from a visit to Appleby's without effecting the team too much except for some anxious moments on the bench during game 3. Andrew Leung turned 16 over this weekend too. Happy Birthday Andrew! He celebrated with a goal and a 1 game suspension. Sam had to make a trip to the hospital Saturday night to check out muscle spasm but he bounced back to finish the tournament.

It seemed to be a ladies weekend at this tournament as there were more moms on the bus than dads (no coincidence that the tournament took place in the US (where the dollar is worth more) but their did seem to be a few more bags coming home than going to Rochester). A very successful weekend all-round. Thanks to Carolyn, John/Charley, the coaching staff (Jim, Marc and Brian), the players and all the parents who took time off to help the boys experience a winning weekend. This is a nice set up for our remaining season games and heading into the playoffs.

Friday November 18, 2011

6:25 am. Got into Stoney Creek last evening about 10:00. Had a 30 minute detour from the 401 due to an accident that closed the highway in both directions.Text messages from manager and other parents from the team warned us ahead of time so while some had a two hour wait in traffic, we were fortunate enough to get off at an exit before the backlog and travel down hwy 2 to Trenton and around the accident. We found gas for $1.10 a litre along the way (bonus). We listened to the game on the radio (leafs vs Nashville). Nothing better than experiencing another leaf loss. Especially when seeing highlights at the hotel of an Ottawa win in Edmonton. Arriving at the hotel without getting lost (thanks to the gps and the great google directions of Shelley (not Steve) Bakker about 10:00pm, we settled in with a pizza and beverage. The room is a little cramped with 3 large hockey players and two average sized dads but cozy. I’m up at 5:30 unable to sleep. Not sure if it is due to the head cold I’m suffering from, the snoring coming from all directions or the poisonous methane gases in the room. I get up and head for the lobby because I hate laying in bed not sleeping.
The team (minor Midget AA Rangers) is a good one. Coaches Jim, Brian and Mark have set the tone after evaluations and getting to know the boys since late August. This is our third tournament. The boys have shown sparks of brilliance at times and complacency at other times (pretty standard for 15 year olds, right?). The key is to be consistent. The talent is there. They have shown they can work together to dominate when the stars line up. How do we get those stars to line up when we want them to???
We have had our share of injuries, illnesses and suspensions and have not yet played with a full squad this year. We have met, lost and beaten some very good teams. We look forward to the same at this tournament and as the season progresses. Why do we do this? Take time away from work, give up weekends to travels and stay in foreign beds and rooms away from home? Spending money better used on the house, car or in an resp? For the fun, excitement and camaraderie of it all of course. Been doing this now for 16 years with three different kids like so many before me and so many to come. It’s fun, exciting and a way of life.

Stoney Creek game 1

Rangers 1 Scarbourough Bruins 0

In a game dominated by Rangers, a Scarbourough goalie keeps them in the game. With the game tied 0-0 we play overtime rounds of one minute with teams playing 4v4, 3v3 2v2. Alec MacKenzie and Andrew Leung are on the ice and immediately control the puck and take it into the offensive zone. A net drive, pass to the point and loose puck pick up by Alec and the puck crosses the line and called a goal. Interesting format and good first game of the tournament win for the Rangers. All the boys played well in our first full squad game of the season.
Team dinner at Boston Pizza. Everyone leaves full and happy. 11:00 curfew as we prepare for game two at 10:30 am. Most boys agree that “that’s pretty early.”

Saturday November 19 Game 2

Rangers Vs Leaside

We dominate the first period and end the period with a 4 1 lead. There is no panic in the puck controlling Leaside team however. Second period starts with a tremendous forecheck from Leaside and they cause a couple of turnovers and capitalize twice. The score at the end of the second is 4-3 Rangers but the momentum continues to be with Leaside. The third period begins the same as the second. They tie the game half towards the end of the period to create an overtime situation. In the third round of overtime the puck is shot on net and it finds it way to end the game. 5-4 Leaside. We would have to wait to see who and when we played next.

Game 3

We end up playing Leaside again. Both teams come out skating and hold each other off the score board until the third period. They score two unanswered goals for a 2-0 lead. We score in the final minute with the extra attacker but we run out of time and lose a hard fought battle 2-1.

On the positive side of things we get through the tournament without injury or suspension and manage to play the entire weekend with a full squad for the first time this year. The team looks good all together.
We play well and meet some very good competition. Chemistry is forming among lines and defence pairs. Everyone seems to have fun. We know there is more work to do when we get home.

Thanks Caroline for the texts telling us about the closing of the 401 on Thursday afternoon (Sorry Charlie and John).
Thanks Louise for setting up the dinners at BP and East Side Mario’s.
Most of all thanks to Mark, Brian and Jim for the biggest task of all, working with our boys. Well done everyone.

Well folks, it is that time of year again. The Gloucester Rangers Minor Midget AA squad has been selected and it is time to bundle up and get ready to spend countless hours in arenas again. Best of luck to all the boys who made the squad, and hopefully this year will be an enjoyable one!