Champeens

Nathan and his Novice Rep team made it to the OMHA finals.

They were pitted against Blyth,

and it was to be a best of 3 series.

It is the equivalent of the Stanley Cup Finals for this age group.

The two teams are pretty well matched,

so I knew it was going to be a good series.

They played game one in Blyth,

and won 1-0...

and, as Daddy said, "I didn't care for the reffing." 

Seaforth played the last 6 minutes of the game short-handed,

due to some questionable calls,

and one ridonkulous bench penalty.

But the boys pulled it out,

and gave it their all.

Game 2 was last night in Seaforth.

Because of the "donk" bench penalty, they were short one of their coaches.

Nathan was pumped for the game.

He wanted to WIN!

He had been bugging me all through the play-offs to dye his 'hawk green.

So I finally did.

This is in the change room before the game.

He wanted a picture from every angle.

I think it pumped up his team mates pretty good.

soooo.... yeah....he rocks.....

(I took a bathroom break, came back and found the above written in... courtesy of Quin.)

Anyway.

So, the game started.

There were a lot of fans out to watch, and every one was pumped.

The most cheering I've heard all year.

Seaforth started out kinda slow.

I don't know how to explain it, but they just weren't "on."

(Except for 2 defence-men, and the goalie.  They played their hearts out.)

(And yes, Nate was one.)

It definitely looked like Blyth wanted it more,

and it ended up being 2-0 going into the 3rd.

Long story short,

we tied it up with just a few minutes left,

and we went into sudden death overtime.

Now it was on,

and the excitement,

and nerves were going crazy!!

There was a shot on net, with a juicy rebound,

and Raymond tucked it nicely into the net.

They WON!!

It was exactly like the Stanley Cup finals.

Sticks and gloves went flying,

and all the players piled up on the ice, hugging each other and cheering.

The crowd went wild.

I was too busy going wild to get a shot of the initial celebration and hugging,

but here's the aftermath.

Then it was time to line up and receive their awards.

One of the coaches talking to Blake, in the red helmet,

who scored both goals to tie it up.

Nate on the far left.

Our goalie, who played a great game,

receiving his hat and medal.

Nathan getting his.

And cheering for the rest of his team-mates.

A few players accepting the trophy's.

There is two, because they finished first during the season,

as well as winning in the finals.

Out of all the "CC" centers, they are the best.

The winning team!!

A very happy boy.

I am SO happy they won, 'cause Nathan's never been on a winning team, unlike his older brother.

The celebration continued in the change room...

it was awesome.

Each boy had a turn drinking out of the cup..

Nates turn.

A few of the players...

The trophy's.

There is a tradition in Seaforth,

that if a team wins a Championship,

they get a ride through town on a Fire Truck.

Seriously.

Quin did 2 years ago,

and Nathan did last night.

I think it was what Nathan wanted most...

Here they are lined up to climb up on top.

Up high on the top of the truck.

Nathan's not a big fan of heights,

even though he wanted to ride the Fire Truck more than anything.

The fire truck drove all the way through town,

(didn't take long)

lights flashing and siren blaring,

and all the parents drove behind honking horns and cheering out the window.

I think we woke up the whole town.

The parade ended at the Fire Station,

and here's Nate climbing down.

Posing for more pictures...

The local paper was there,

so the kids made the news!!

Tired and happy boy.

Not sure why the peace sign......

He's still wearing his hat and medal today.....

The coaching staff.

I have to say,

I could not have asked for, or gotten, better coaches.

They taught the kids,

encouraged them,

made them work,

but made it fun too.

The improvement of the team from the start of the year to the end was phenomenal.

Best coaching I have seen in all the years my kids have played hockey.

And that's it.

So proud of Nathan, and how he played.

I've said it here before,

but the kid plays with such incredible heart....

he holds nothing back.

And I'm glad that all his hard work was rewarded.

Ice, Ice, Baby!

Shicaw!

Anyone else remember that song?

No?

Just me?

Okay then.

It pretty much sums up my day.

Spent almost four hours at the Arena,

boys played back to back games,

and I did the door for both...

which means I had to be there early for the first game.

They both won,

one had 2 assists

(and plays defense)

and one had a goal and a beeyootiful assist.

So, good hockey night.

The other part of the "ICE" theme was the roads.

Like a skating rink, baby.

First son to play forgot his stick,

so I had to drive ALL the way back home to get it.

On the ice rink roads.

Yes, I took pictures while driving.

Yes, there's warning lights on.

One's an airbag warning light,

the other is a "GET YOUR DARN SEATBELT ON" light.

But that's not the point.

The point is,

Do you see a road,

with any pavement?

Or just ice?

I see ice, ice, baby.

The reason I had my camera out in the first place,

is on the way back home I spotted some things.

Very cute things.

And I hoped they would still be there on my way back to town.

Guess what?

They were.

Can you see them?

Yearlings,

I think.

That one on the right is going to live a long time.

He never took his eyes off me.

Ever.

I fear for the others...

This little glimpse made my heart sing.

And that's it.

Slid past every road I tried to turn at,

and watched two very good hockey games.

My life is boring.

And now I'm going to bed.

But first,

the song.

'Cause it's in my head.

Enjoy.

Whew.

So.

Today was a different day.

First of all, we totally played hookie.

Well, not totally....

We were invited to go to Granny's house and watch a movie,

about the greatest race-horse that ever lived,

(Secretariat)

and so we had a very busy morning getting chores and school done.

But we did it in time,

and spent a wonderful lazy afternoon watching a movie.

About the greatest racehorse that has ever been.

I console myself with the fact that it was a true story....

set in the 70's, so that's history, right?

Then it was a rush to get to hockey.

And, got a phone call that Dad wanted to take the boys to the Culliton game.

See, we live not to far from Stratford,

home of the Stratford Cullitons,

Junior B team,

and most of the hockey players from our area that have gone to play for the NHL have played for the Cullitons first.

It's where my boys hope to be someday.

Quins got 5 years.

Anyway,

it was a last minute decision that I would go too.

One of the rare times I had supper cooking at home, to be ready when hockey was done,

and I had to speed home and shut it off so I could make it to the game! 

And thanks to Linda, who watched the girls on very short notice,

and is now sleeping in a peed bed,

thanks to my youngest curly haired daughter!

Aunts are awesome.

Anyway.

So I went too.

And I fulfilled my role as photographer of the event.

Two happy boys.

Hockey and no sisters.

See, we have a connection on the Cullitons.

This guy, standing against the boards.

He played soccer this year with Daddy,

and he's our neighbour.

Go Cullitons!

The goalie Daddy knew as well.

He worked for the family,

constructing barns.

Nate, enjoying the game.

Cullitons, up 1-0!

Second intermission,

bumping gloves with the players.

Happy boys.

You might wanna cosy up to my boys,

'cause look what their Daddy has a chance at....

notice..... 13 people!

So, between the 2nd and 3rd,

the zamboni broke down.

Of course.

'Cause my girls need to be picked up,

and we have a crazy busy day tomorrow...

So I took pictures while we waited.

A very long time.

I originally thought it was half an hour,

but it may have been more.

The very old Aldman Arena,

where the Cullitons still have their games.

Here you can see where the Zamboni hit, and where it missed.

Quin.

Having some Sprite.

He had to pee like twice during the 3rd.

Poor kid has his Momma's bladder.

"Thanks Dad for the Birthday present."

"Now gimme some of your drink!"

Almost 9.

Can't believe it.

When Nathan hit's Pewee...

a montage.

Wha??!

"Ooooh.  Nathan, you're silly."

Yes, he is.

Bring on the hockey!!!

We waited so long for the Zamboni,

I took pictures of my boots.

Yes I did,

And finally,

the Zamboni appeared!!!

Loudest the crowd cheered all night!

This is a crappy pic,

but I had to show you.

This dude was rockin' it out in the stands.

Totally guitar hero-ing it.

To  "Enter Sandman."

Metallica.

Hil-ar-ious.

This chick was across the arena,

and was dancing back as hard as she could.

Quin was taking the downtime to read,

as per usual.

See who he found?

Our Neighbour!

One of the best defense-men  that played.

 How'd the game go?

Well, this happened late in the third.....

(Cullitons two men down)

And they ended up losing 3-1.

Most of the players stomped off to the change room without stopping for the kids lined up.

And I can understand.

They lost.

That makes boys crabby.

But this guy stopped.

The Captain.

He signed stuff for the little guys.

I thought that was a class act.

 \

Only other guy who stopped was our neighbour.

He even agreed to a pic.

All in all a memorable night for my soon to be 9 yr old!

And now my fire is going,

and I am going to bed.

Goodnight.