Sting Take Europe Day 9

Day number nine began with another great complimentary breakfast at the hotel in Helsinki.  The food is very good, with lots of cheese and bread.  Again the coffee is very good here.  The parents then loaded the bus and travelled out to the Tuusula arena to see the girls and get ready for our second game of the tournament.

At the rink, the girls were all happy to see us and again shared stories from their second night with the host Finnish families.  Everyone is still excited and having fun, but starting to look a little tired.  I think the group is unanimous in our love for this country and the friends we have made - but we miss home.  It feels like months that we have been away.

Before we played, our host team had a presentation for us.  They had been in contact with the RingJet stick factory here in Finland, and when the sales rep came today - he brought 20 origional, one of a kind gifts for our girls.  RingJet 500's in custom Sting colours with the Canadian and Finnish flags on them.  They are beautiful.  The company did not have our yellow, but they mixed and created it.  Very, very nice.  The host Finn's generosity never stops.  We are spoiled.

Our first game of the day was against a team from Heinola, Finland.  They had some very good skaters, but our girls were ready and played hard.  It took us a while to get going, but once the ball started to roll.........Final score was Sting 10 and Heinola 1.  We did not have the national anthem today.  Warm up and then we played the game.  The games here are officiated very similar to in Canada, but we have noticed that the goalies can bring the ring back into the crease without a penalty.  They simply loose possession.  Also, after goals, girls here are allowed to raise their sticks in the air.  We won't change the way we do anything - but a couple of interesting observations.  Also, like in Sweden, the player's bench only has one gate - so it is organized chaos at times to change entire lines.  So far so good.

Briefly in the locker room after the game we had a visit from Jessica Kantee.  She is a lady that I met with over two years ago in St. Albert when we begn planning this trip.  At the time she was attending the University of Alberta and playing for the Edmonton WAM.  She is a two time world champion ringette player from here in Finland.  I had spoken with her after we arrived in Helsinki to thank her for her help in the initial stages of planning this trip - and to let her know we are here.  She wanted to come watch a game and was very impressed.  She spoke to the girls briefly in the locker room.  A very, very nice young lady.  We presented her with a special Sting jersey.  It was very emotional.

After our first game, the tournament held both an Allstar game and a skills competition.  CA Sting were well represented in both events.  For the Allstar game - Shenyce  and Cainer represented us on Team Red.  Guse and Kensey represented us on Team Black.  It was a great game and all of our girls played very well.  After the game, each team awarded a player of the game.  Team Red choose Cainer.  Good job girl!!!  Then, each of the eight tournament teams participated in a skills competition (speed).  Three players per team.  They each had to skate a lap with a ring and then give it to their next team mate.  (Three laps in total).  Each winning team moved on and the defeated team was eliminated.  Sting was represented by Cheyenne, Meg Kelly, and Cassidy.  They systematically defeated all of their opponents.  Ya Baby!  All of the Sting team and parents were great supporters and we had the loudest cheers.

We then had a short two hour break and everyone headed outdoors.  It was beautiful and very warm here today.  Not a cloud in the sky.  Many of us gathered on the grass and soaked up the rays.  The girls wasted little time in finding a soccer game of teenage boys to sit and watch.  I think I burnt my head in the sun.

Our second game of the day was against some of our new friends.  It was a great game and very close.  Sting won 4-1 but it was a tight contest.  The games here are running time except for the last two minutes.  That includes injury time.  Their goalie was injured in the second half and they played their second goalie - but it took almost 2:00 off of the clock that helped us.  We need to be careful.  After the game they presnted our girls with a small package of stuff.  We will soon all need extra bagage for all of the gifts from our finnish friends.

The girls then left the rink with their host families for one last night.  Many of the parents returned to the hotel, but some were also off to the host families homes for dinner with their girls.  We are truly being treated like royalty here.  Everyone will be sad to say goodbye to our hosts tomorrow.

My observations for day 9:

• The only photo better than a team picture is a team picture after a mysterious methane gas leak.  Hope everyone is OK.
• Mad, Susan, and Super Hot Sexy Barbara were a great additions to Final 8.  (European rules).
• Keeping the Iron Fist a secret here is tough.  All eyes are watching.  Maybe tomorrow afternoon if we have the opportunity.
• I have never met a Jari I didn't like.  They are all awesome.
• Meagan Gabert and Meahgan Karas are great on the bench.  They love their sisters and though due to injury they can not play - their contributions are huge.  Best half-time talks all year.  Thanks ladies.
• Greg, Darcy and I were actually invited into the girl's team circle today at warm-up and it was awesome.
• Our fans have been loud, proud and totally Canadian.  Great job.  From the boys and Bryn to our Saskatchewan contigent - everyone here knows that Sting is in the house.
• We will be hard pressed to bring home all of our new stuff.  Not the shopping loot, or the Finnish gifts, but the bar glasses Jackie keeps hiding on everyone.  Ugh!  Fuzzy Duck!

C.K.