'Da Bears

Oops, we did it again.  The Raleigh Bears traveled to Charlotte this weekend to stake their claim at the NC State Games.  They battled 3 other teams from Raleigh and one from Pineville.  Once again their team defensive play dominated the tournament only allowing 1 goal in three 4 games.  The tournament started Friday night against the Raleigh Thunder with a drama filled, physical, tight scoring game.  The Bears come out on top with a 2-0 win scoring the 2^nd goal as an empty netter with about a minute left in the game.  Saturday the Bears battled the Pineville Falcons with an easy 4-1 win.  More of the same on Sunday morning with a dominant 4-0 victory against the Carolina Lightning.  As expected, a rematch with the Thunder was in store for the championship game on Sunday.  This was a much anticipated game with a whole lot of animosity between the teams, coaches and fans.  The Bears didn’t disappoint as the played a disciplined defensive team game.  Justin started the scoring off early with a rebound goal.  The game got really chippy with some checking, roughing, boarding, unsportsmanlike and misconduct penalties.  Oh, by the way, these were all on the other team.  Our boys played disciplined and stayed out of the box with the exception of one tripping penalty.  We dominated play a majority of the game and had a strong 3-0 wint (a late open netter sealing the game).  In between all the winning the boys (and parents) had a blast.  The boys swam, had team lunches/dinners and partied til the late hours each night.  Luckily they didn’t get us kicked out of the hotel.  We bribed the security with pizza and soda. This is the 3^rd gold medal in 3 months for the boys.  As always we are proud parents and a coach.

‘Til next time…

This past weekend the boys were crowned the champions of the Peewee Polar Ice House spring league.  They won 3 straight games to claim the title…although it did not come easy.  We entered the playoffs in 2^nd place.  We won the first game with a 3-0 shutout with the Livernois brothers putting up the only goals of the game.  Game 2 we came back from a 3-2 deficit to tie the game late.  After a 5 minute sudden death we went to a 4 man shoot out and came out on top.  The championship game started slow with us getting behind in 3-0 hole early in the game.  The boys stuck to the game plan and worked hard to put up 5 unanswered goals to win the game.  Owen and Justin both had a great season and contributed a couple of goals and assists…and penalties in the playoffs.  Once again, I was a proud coach and father.  We are now preparing to continue our tournament winning streak in Charlotte in 2 weeks at the NC State Games.

‘Til next time…