Sting Take Europe Day 10

Sorry for the delay.  Blogging and international travel sometimes don't work well on a time line.

Day 10 was game day.  Playoffs.  First a semi then a medal game.

The parents were up early for breakfast at the hotel and a quick coffee.  We finally had to check out of our "home away from home" the Helsinki Glo Hotel.  I would suspect that our endorsement of this hotel would be unanimous amongst all of the parents.  Everything from service, the rooms, the location, and the bar were awesome.  Short ride to the rink where we met the girls who had all arrived already with their hosts.

Our first irst game was against the Swedes.  This was a different team than either of those we had seen in Stockholm - so we were not sure what we were getting into.  It was a close game with teams exchanging goals until the Sting finally started to pull away.  Final score was Sting 7 and Sweden 3.  Now we were off to the final against our host team from Nurmijarvi who had won a close semi final against their younger 1996 team.  (Those 96 girls will certainly be a force next season - they are very good).

We had a three (3) hour break between games and everyone went outside to bask in the sun.  It was +21 and felt sooooo good.  Lying on the grass.  The girls again migrated to the closest boys soccer game in the nearby soccer pitch.  The tournament organizers had once again cooked a nice lunch (lasagne this time) and we did a short walk to the community hall to eat.  Our new buddy Jari Lindstrom again sharpened skates at the rink (with Greg's assistance) for the handful of girls who wanted them done before the Gold Medal Final.

Then it was finally game time.  This is what we had looked forward to for a long time.  Not so much the gold final - but an opportunity to play against our friends and hosts.  We knew that both teams were strong, and that regardless of the outcome that it would be a good game.  After warm-up when Coaches Greg, Darcy and I stepped into our locker room - we had a good feeling.  Perhaps something that you have to experience first hand - but the girls were singing together - no stereo and the team energy was very good.  Anyone who has ever coached knows how important this energy can be before a big game.  Song selection was Eminem's "Lose Yourself" - very fitting and darned if the girls didn't nail it.

Then it was game time.  A big crowd and everyone was loud and cheering for both us and the Finns.  It had been a few games, but the national anthems were played prior to the start of the game again.  The girls sang this time, loud and proud, joined by the coaches on the bench and the parents.  It made the hair stand up on your neck being there.  The Finns also sang to their national anthem and though I didn't understand - it was very nice.  Both line-ups were introduced.  The stage was set for a great game.

Sting opened the scoring on a Classic Iron fist.  We had been saving it.  Our girls quickly seized on their momentum and we were up 3-0 early.  There was no way that the Finns were going to give up though, and after a quick goal to make it 3-1, they decided to run with the momentum for a bit and suddenly we had a 3-3 game.  (It was awesome!)  Our girls went ahead to stay making it 5-3.  Teams then exchanged goals, but in the end the Sting won 8-6.  It was a very good game with two very different styles of ringette.  As a coach, I would love to play a best of seven series against that team.  Both teams were very good skaters and passers with strong goaltenders.  The differing styles however would make strategy a key element in a series.  Maybe one day.

After the game it was very, very emotional on the ice.  The teams lined up to shake hands, but it quickly turned into hugs between all of the players.  The Bronze team came on the ice and all three teams were introduced and medals awarded.  Cheyenne Coon was named our team's MVP for the tournament.  Great job all week Chey!  Afterwards the girls all gathered for a big group picture - and then the emotions began to show as the realization hit that we would be leaving very soon.  Girls gravitated to their new friends and many tears flowed.  I am proud to say that although Greg, Darcy and myself also made many new friends - we were brave and did not cry.  I think Jari Lindstrom did though!

After a short goodbye amongst players and parents outside the rink - we were wisked away to the Helsinki airport.  We had to say goodbye to Meaghan Karas' Grandma and Grandpa - Wayne Mary Anne Hovdebo.  They had been with us for the entire trip - but were now off to visit Norway for a couple weeks.  We were all sad to see them leave.

A two hour flight and we were safely in Frankfurt, Germany.  Despite our exhaustion, most everyone wanted to see some of the city, but considering that it was after 9:00 pm on Easter Sunday - there was not an opportunity to see any of Frankfurt.  Outside everything was lush and green, green, green.  It has been quite warm there - mid 20's for weeks and it does feel like summer time.  The flowers and lilac bushes were in bloom and it smelled so nice outside.  Naturally a german beer or two was consumed by the parents, then it was off to bed as we had an early departure in the morning.

My observations for Day 10:

• The Finnish announcers for all of our games have been very good.  Every goal and assist is announced and they do a good job trying to pronounce names.  Suprisingly, Cassidy Lemasurier is the one they seen to pronounce the best.  They also make a point prior the the final minute of each half to say "The final minute of the first (or second) half will be arriving soon".  It is a hoot.
• We would very much like to return the hospitality to the Finns and have them come here one day. The reality is that with girls in High School, cost and distance - such a trip may be difficult.  If any of the Nurmijarvi girls every wish to travel to Western Canada however - we would ensure they had a great trip.
• Sadly, the final game was also our last game as a team.  Next year some of the girls will be elsewhere.  It has been an awesome group
• On a positive note, the special collectors edition third black Sting jerseys are now retired a perfect 7-0 record.  Bitter!  Back to the traditional White and Gold jerseys next season.

C.K.