Day 1 August 4 Team MB vs Edmonton

Well we arrived and made it to our practice on Sunday and the team looked a little sluggish and disinterested. The boys stayed positive and had a good team dinner and then after a long day of travelling, etc. everyone hit the beds early. After a great sleep and some agonizing decisions we posted the lineup at around 1:00 PM on Monday. The lineup was as follows:

Cook Kuryk Marchuk
Duchon Tymchak Malaschuk
Chartrand Arnal Zielinski
D. Vann Naumiuk Kelly

Wild Schultz
Erstelle Figueiredo
Rath Nowicki
Desjarlais Chartrand

Cameron
Ross

Out - J. Vann, D. Buors, J. Goertzen

GAME TIME!!!!

We came out fast and furious with a little bit of nervousness but quickly settled in. Some great chances by the Naumiuk line. Some great work by everyone. The game was high speed, but filled with penalties, some questionable. With the Tymchak line hemmed in the zone for a while and a tired shift a couple of turnovers led to a goal by Edmonton. Everyone kept their composure and we kept focus on our style of play and team mentality and went to the half down 1 goal and were happy with our first ever real gameplay as a team. We came out flying in the second and when at even strength we carried the play. Roman Naumiuk then scored with a great shot and some great work by his line at creating the scoring chance. It was a great goal to settle down the team and get everyone into the tournament. The team really picked it up going down the stretch and had some great chances on and off the powerplay. The game ended with a 1-1 tie, which by all reports we were supposed to lose. In the words of Kelly Huff assistant coach "I have never in the history of this program been dissapointed with a tie, and that shows the development of this team". The boys have a night off to go and take it easy, and I am sure that they will be ready for our second game against Surrey(the home team) tomorrow.

Team Mantra - MAKE LOVE ON THE BENCH and WAR ON THE FLOOR!!!!

Tough lineup decisions to make for tomorrow as everyone played well.