Round Three

After a tiring night at Newcastle 11pm till 630am involved with the Ice Crocs Skate a Thon, ( Martin Valdivia and Casey Kubara ) fund raiser, I stayed for the Bantams supposed first real challenge against The Allstars. A challenge taken and accomplished next please. With The Bantams, all over, the Hapless Newcastle, right from the start, with a play from the face off nearly resulting in a goal straight away. They never looked backed, with their goalie, having a near perfect, game, only conceding one goal and it had to be helped, by a friendly stick. The score, something like 6 to 1, but one wonders, why it wasn’t sixty to one as the Allstars, were anything but, as our Bantams proved, that they are the team to beat.

Sunday morning bright and early saw our Atoms, face their first defeat, against The Gladiators. Our boys were never allowed in it, as the Gladiators played like they had been together for years, and played what should have been our game, yet the Atoms never gave up , showing admirable courage in defeat.This team can be beaten and beaten by our boys.

Next saw The Mighty Midgets v The Eagles, a rough and tumble tussle right from the start. After an exciting two first periods , with some of the best TEAMWORK, and team goals, I have ever witnessed in any game, the last, unfortunately dropped into a brawl with 4 or 5 send offs and some negative barracking and abuse from some of our own supporters, seniors who should know better.

I realize Ice Hockey is a rough game, with tempers flared and tolerance stretched to the limits, but some things should just not be carried on with. Its one thing to not back down and stand up for yourself and your teammates but its another altogether to carry on and not know where to finish. On what should have been a great and commendable game, the win albeit exciting, and a win is a win, the sour taste and aftermath of some poor decisions by only some, both on the team, and in the crowd left the day one to forget, and just take the points.

I WILL NOT TOLERATE, poor sportsmanship, on or off the ice, and negative or abusive crowd support. If you cant behave yourself at a game, you are not welcome to one of ours.

Be warned, we will hand out, our own, club suspensions, coupled with whatever IHNSW penalties you may incur. What happens on the ice, should end on the ice, shake hands and finish it there. The crowd should not get involved in encouraging poor sportsmanship, or embarrassing, our own players, and or supporters.

STRESS LESS, RELAX, AND ENJOY, YOUR TIME ON THE ICE.

Take time over Easter to enjoy yourselves, training as usual Monday night and throughout the school holidays. Good luck to our Midgets and Peewees at The Heaton Cup.