Highlights of the Express game

This was my favorite game of the tournament, and although they out-shot us, we hung in there against a bigger, more experienced PW A team. Our one goal lead in goal differential allowed us to be awarded a spot in the finals with just a 2-2 tie, and we all recall how that happened, don't we?

Here are some fun moments from the start of the game to the goal Valencia scored early in the second period.

Hayden smacks a kid in front of HIS net, Hayden makes a nice save in a crowd, Chris (early on) and Andrew (nice rush, 71 style) get chances, David stands up at the blueline, Danny bumps a big D man, Noah takes a header, Hayden makes a couple nice saves, and Valencia goes up 1-0 early in second period.

Highlights up thru Valencia goal early 2nd period

The PW Leafs battled back--nice rush by Andrew, rebound, nice pass and a goal. Big hit by Danny, second goal by Express A team, and then the short version of the tie/winner! I can watch it over and over, and I smile as big every time! 

Pee Wee B Leafs Ink top draft choice

Noah Speizer (sp) has officially signed on with the Maple Leafs to finish up the regular season.

A gifted player, not to be cliche, but he sees the ice well, is a good two way player, a fine skater, he moves the puck well, can play on the PP, the PK, will improve our SOG's, while not adding PIM's, he will be a + player, has a "heavy shot", is good in the corners, is good 4-on-4, has a high hockey IQ, and from early reports, he rarely swears or spits!

A player from a team in our division spoke with anonymity to a PML parent:
"Holy BLEEP!! They got that guy--now they are gonna crush us by 13 goals instead of 10--I so am being sick when we play them!"

A high ranking official with the organization summed up Noah this way:

"When I see this kid play, I see a kid with all the tools, and it appears all of the equipment. He has two skates, a stick, helmet, two gloves, shoulder pads, real hockey pants, all the right stuff! In terms of Chemistry, he is bright so he should get an easy A, as well as add to the team chemistry!"

WOW!  High praise--welcome aboard Noah!

And lastly, to the rest of the league, as Shakespeare once said in one of his lesser known works--

Nee-ner, nee-ner, nee-ner, we got Noah and you didn't!!!

GO LEAFS!

Photo Review of the final game vs Wildcats

Ilona lost her left arm, and Peter has a left arm and no hand, so they helped each other find their missing arms and fingers and stuff--Chris looks on, worried for his friend who used to have two perfectly good arms and hands!

When the camera was on, no one could touch the charm and charisma of 99!

Pee Wee Leafs Battle like Future Champions in Valencia

History tells us that rarely does a team storm in and conquer an existing champion. They must first endure the realization that they are not yet ready to wear the crown of the ultimate victor. In 1983 the Islanders blew the Edmonton Oilers out in 4 games straight, winning their fourth Stanley Cup in a row. The next year, Gretzky, Messier and the young Oilers blasted the seemingly unbeatable Islanders in five, on the way to four Stanley Cups in five years. In 1995, the Detroit Red Wings were blown away in the finals by the New Jersey Devils, but they returned to take the Stanley Cup in 1997 and 1998, each series a sweep!

The competition was strong, we toppled a real Pee Wee A team, and we left it all out there on the ice. We saw the celebration, and how the Wildcats enjoyed their accomplishment, and we know how hard we tried. Our time will come, boys, indeed, it will! Runner up at a strong tournament like this is a terrific achievement! Be proud, but be ready to work twice as hard going forward..

Leafs take "Express" lane to the Finals Sat Night

Sometimes, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and because of that a 2-2 tie against a legitimate PW A team has taken the little team that could, the Pasadena Maple Leafs PW B team, to the PW A Championship game. In that, there is victory enough to take back to Paramount and enjoy.

But, since we do have a game to play, we might as well give them all we got, huh? You never know. A hard fought, take no prisoners type of game like this makes teams come together, and as Noah, Jack, Sean, Kevin and even Hayden can attest, this one left more than a few bruises. We fell down, but we got up, and kept coming and coming, and they could never deliver the knockout punch.

There is a new member of the Leafs family, not a rostered player, no nothing like that, but a vital part of the operation nevertheless. The blogging operation has partaken of an upgrade, a HD camcorder. At the request of the fans of the blog, I am attempting to see how the first game came out and put some thrilling clips up. It is 10pm now, and I will leave this for now so I can try and bring it into the Mac and get them to you, my adoring public. Don't wait up..check them out with your morning beverage if you like.

Chris with the shot heard all over Santa Clarita!

Practice gets kicked up a notch--Armenian style!

Coach Peter had the kids hold off on putting on their practice jerseys, and came out with some ultra-cool Russian jerseys of various colors. Practice turned into an international "Wide World of Sports" setting, like we were some sort of travelling team skating in an exhibition in Austria or some far off locale. For added realism, Hayden added his touch with the black goalie beanie..

Kids, parents and coaches seem giddy as we ready for the upcoming tournament. WAY COOL--damn--Jack's doesn't fit me..

Dear Santa..

I am not asking for much this year, but as you know, both boys are playing club hockey now, and if you could, could you find one of those cool jerseys like the Pee Wee team has? I can send you a photo if you want me to..

Your friend,

Bill

PS  I have been really good this year, I brush my teeth and am good at at showering at least a couple times a week...

Scimmage with LA Hockey Sun 11/21 Paramount

This blog entry is virtually sponsored by Phunk Fotography, where "we put the Funk into your Photos"!

Phunk Fotography, where Kenny says,

"Why just take one or two when you can snap off many!!"

The coaches were looking dashing as always:

Coach Peter brings game intensity to warm-ups

Goalie mirror--who's the fairest of them all??

Dude--isn't there a weight min for PW A?

3, 6, 9 12, who do we like besides our.....coaches??

The boys were ready to roll. If you do not see your child in these, my apologies. If you can't tell who the kid is in one of the pictures, congratulations--he's yours! And for the record he is adorable and played skillfully!

And remember, if you don't want your photos to end up as junk in some trunk, give Kenny a call and he will FUNK UP YOUR FOTOS!