My Saturday games didn't start until noon, so I got to the rink a little early to give some feedback to some offiicals who were reffing in the Pickering Tournament (non challenge cup games), and then at noon I was back on the ice for Manitoba vs New Brunswick. Apparently Manitoba found their game over night as it appeared to be an entirely different team. They beat New Brunswick 11 - 2. So, from initial appearances Ontario and Alberta may be the top of the heap, but Quebec, New Brunswick, and Manitoba could upset them on any given day. Saskachewan and Nova Scotia didn't come down for the challenge cup, but I would generally be willing to throw them in the mix as well. With these events it is all about peaking at the right time. With the games still 2 1/2 months away, you can get a feel for the teams, but who knows what will happen when we get to Halifax.
I was then off until 7:00 when I reffed Quebec vs Alberta. Quebec came out strong with 2 goals in the first 6 minutes, and although Alberta came back to tie it, with just over 6 minutes remaining, Quebec scored to go ahead for good. The final was 3 - 2. As I said, the teams are quite close so it is a toss up who will make it to the finals of the challenge cup, I am not even going to start guessing who will come out on top in Halifax.
Sunday there were two games, one round robin game and the finals. I was asked to ref the round robin game between Quebec and BC. A little disappointing as I was hoping for the final (I am always hoping for the final) but will go out and skate whatever is asked of me. I had a little difficulty mentally getting into the game, it was a choppy game, without a lot of flow to it. BC was taking a lot of penalties (12 minors penalties - 2) and ultimately it cost them on the scoreboard as the final was 9 - 2 for Quebec. Overall I wasn't happy with the game I skated, partially on my part, as I wasn't in the position I wanted to be at several times through the game, and any time the penalties are so lopsided, it is difficult to stay consistent, as to continue to call the same level of penalties against a team that has already taken 12 would mean we are going to be there all night. Just generally speaking wasn't happy with the game. Hopefully the next time I see the teams in Halifax, I will feel better about the game.
Overall I was happy to get the chance to skate the Challenge Cup as it was a real eye opener on what to expect come February. Better pack the fast socks...
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Wow, this is going to be fast
Well, I had my first opportunity to see some of the Canada Games teams when they played in a Challenge Cup in Pickering December 2 - 5. I have skated a Gold medal game at Nationals and a couple bronze medal games and I guess going in I was expecting it to be about the same level as those games. I was wrong. What I hadn't accounted for was the difference between a club team with their base 12 - 15 players adding the top 3 or 4 other players in the province to make up a nationals roster, vs these teams which are the top 18 players in the province. The speed and skill was quite impressive.
I started off on the Thursday night reffing Manitoba vs Ontario. Ontario won the game 11 - 5, and although Manitoba struggled to keep up with Ontario in this game, as the weekend would progress they would steadily improve. In some respects I find skating games at this speed and skill easier, as generally if teams make their passes, I can skate with them, and plan for where I need to be, the problem comes in when they miss passes and we constantly have to stop and start, that is really when I get tired quickly.
After going to work all day Friday, I was back at Delaney in the late afternoon to ref BC and New Brunswick. I was unsure what they game was going to look like going in, as New Brunswick has made some real strides forward in the competitiveness of their program the last few years, giving them a real chance to win any game against any team, and BC is usually a wild card, I am never sure what we are going to get from them. Again both teams played fairly well, not quite as strong in terms of nailing every pass, but very good none the less. New Brunswick took the game 11 - 7 in a high scoring game. I had a couple hours off before my next game and watched the Alberta vs Ontario game. This had to be one of the best games I have seen, in terms of speed. Alberta ended up winning 4 - 2.
Next for me was the late night game between Quebec and Manitoba. This was a more physical game, than the others I had done so far, which usually means they aren't quite as fast. Manitoba was still working to find their game and lost 6 - 1.
I started off on the Thursday night reffing Manitoba vs Ontario. Ontario won the game 11 - 5, and although Manitoba struggled to keep up with Ontario in this game, as the weekend would progress they would steadily improve. In some respects I find skating games at this speed and skill easier, as generally if teams make their passes, I can skate with them, and plan for where I need to be, the problem comes in when they miss passes and we constantly have to stop and start, that is really when I get tired quickly.
After going to work all day Friday, I was back at Delaney in the late afternoon to ref BC and New Brunswick. I was unsure what they game was going to look like going in, as New Brunswick has made some real strides forward in the competitiveness of their program the last few years, giving them a real chance to win any game against any team, and BC is usually a wild card, I am never sure what we are going to get from them. Again both teams played fairly well, not quite as strong in terms of nailing every pass, but very good none the less. New Brunswick took the game 11 - 7 in a high scoring game. I had a couple hours off before my next game and watched the Alberta vs Ontario game. This had to be one of the best games I have seen, in terms of speed. Alberta ended up winning 4 - 2.
Next for me was the late night game between Quebec and Manitoba. This was a more physical game, than the others I had done so far, which usually means they aren't quite as fast. Manitoba was still working to find their game and lost 6 - 1.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Invite to CWG's
One of my officiating goals for the last several years, since going to nationals really, has been to get asked to officiate at the Canada Winter Games. It is one of only 3 events I haven't officiated at (the other two being the World Championships and the World Club Championships) and is quite the process to go. The criteria is based on your overall officiating rankings, and ulitmately acheiving your level 5. For those that aren't aware, a level 5 ranking is acheived based on your performance at the last two national championships (and usually 3). You generally have to have a strong enough week to earn either a bronze medal or gold medal game in two or three consecutive years, and it is then based on the recommendation of the supervisors, and officating committee.
After the CRC's (Canadian Ringette Championships) in April, I was notified that I had received my level 5 this year. Given level 5's are the first on the list to be asked to officiate at the CWG's, and there aren't that many in the country, I was hopeful to get an invite, but still didn't want to get my hopes up too high.
Thankfully the call did come at the end of June asking if I would go. Another week away from the family will be hard but it is a big opportunity. Should be a strong officiating crew with Brent, Benoit, Karen, Mary-Lynn, Janyce, Danielle, Lori and I, and a good time as well. Needless to say I was quite excited. Wasn't sure what the event was going to be like, but was pretty sure it was going to be enjoyable. Halifax 2011 here I come.
After the CRC's (Canadian Ringette Championships) in April, I was notified that I had received my level 5 this year. Given level 5's are the first on the list to be asked to officiate at the CWG's, and there aren't that many in the country, I was hopeful to get an invite, but still didn't want to get my hopes up too high.
Thankfully the call did come at the end of June asking if I would go. Another week away from the family will be hard but it is a big opportunity. Should be a strong officiating crew with Brent, Benoit, Karen, Mary-Lynn, Janyce, Danielle, Lori and I, and a good time as well. Needless to say I was quite excited. Wasn't sure what the event was going to be like, but was pretty sure it was going to be enjoyable. Halifax 2011 here I come.
Back at it for Canada Winter Games
Well Ringette Canada asked me yesterday if I would consider blogging during the Canada Winter Games from the perspective of a referee, similar to what I did for the U19 championships, so I figured I would dust off the blogger account from the U19's change the name, and get started. I did officiate one of the challenge cups leading up to Canada games so will include some thoughts around that, in one of my next posts, will also include some of my thoughts on my selction and achieving one of my major officiating goals.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
