Took First in Canada, Eh?

Last year the Icebreakers went to Thunder Bay for the 1st time. We were invited for an exhibition weekend, and they didn't win a game. Although they had a good showing in Brainard - they were worried that the Canadian competition would be stiffer, and our girls were less than optimistic about their abilities to fare well as the only American team in this tournament.

First games were on Friday so the team planned to meet to caravan up to Canada at 7:30 a.m.. AOSB was planning on staying in Duluth with Grandma and Grandpa because he had his first series of basketball games also scheduled in Proctor this weekend. When push came to shove, though he wasn't ready for his family to leave without him - and we weren't ready to do so, either. So after a quick trip to the St. Louis County Courthouse to get his birth certificate, we hit the road about 1/2 an hour behind the rest of HG's teammates. We caught up to them at the border where they were all stopped as the Canadian border patrol was searching the coach's vehicle. Coach is from Canada and we don't know if they kicked him out and didn't want him back, or if they're just mad at him for deserting them, but they decided to make him pay. Worked out well for us to be able to travel the rest of the way with the team.

When we got to Canada we tried to check in. All of the rooms were not ready so our family went to grab lunch (a $26 meal at A&Ws if you can believe that - man are prices high there). Then we had our first game against the Dryden Flames. Twenty-seven seconds into game one HG scored the first goal of the tournament. This was the second year she scored the 1st goal of the 1st tournament of the year. The team scored a total f 13 goals that game. The other team did not score. HG's friend Maddy scored 5 goals (which were her 1st goals of the season) and earned MVP of the game!

After the game we went to the hotel to check-in. We stayed at the Victoria Inn - which has a nice pool area with a big water slide. We relaxed a little before the 2nd game against the McDonald's Sharks. Girls played well in game two also. HG scored another goal. The team scored 8 goals in all and won the game 8-0. Another one of the new girls, Daisy, scored her 1st goal of the season and she was honored with MVP for that game. She was so proud and everyone was so excited for her! That evening the girls got to enjoy the swimming pool and we all ate pizza for dinner.

Saturday we had one game for sure, and if we won that game, we would get a bye into the semi-finals. Our game wasn't until noon so we got to sleep in and eat a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. We played the Esso Tigers in game 3, and beat them 7-0. It was the best team we had played and our goalie finally was put to work - so she was named MVP. That meant we had the whole afternoon and evening to play. Many of the girls, some of their Moms and a couple of Dads went to the Mall. It was a pretty big centre with a lot of stores we didn't recognize and a few we did. The food court was interesting with a lot of options we weren't used to. HG and I ate Asian noodles - yum! Girls enjoyed an accessory store called Adrene's and Claires. We went back and it was time for more pool action. We had an early game on Sunday and apparently grown-ups had been up too late the night before because everyone was pretty much in for the night around 10 p.m..

The semi-final game was at 8:15 Sunday morning. We were at the rink by 7:30 and the girls played the Redwings in the semi-final game. We won that game 8-0. Our defense controlled that game and made many of the goals. One of them, Hayley, was awarded MVP. After the game everyone went back to pack up and check out. HG and AOSB were staving so we made a quick stop at McDs. Adults were waiting to eat with the group before the championship game. We went to Joe's Family Restaurant at 11:00 a.m. and ate brunch.

Our final game was at 1:00 p.m.. We played the McDonald's Bears in the championship game. They had also won all of the games they had played, so despite our successes, we couldn't get complacent. The first period was quite competitive and we only scored one goal. Second period the girls took off and scored a few more goals quickly. The Bears did manage to prevent a tournament shut out by scoring one goal in the second period. That was the only goal they scored, though, and the final score was 7-1. Makayla was MVP that game, and the girls took home November Chill Tournament Champion trophies. The ride home was very uneventful.

As much as I have never really liked hockey, and as much as I resisted letting our children play, I have to say, I love this team. The families are great - fun to spend time with and just all around good people. The girls all mostly get along. They are inclusive of each other - even with the new girls. They are supportive and considering how competitive they are on the ice - off the ice they are respectful of each other. This is going to be a fun season!