Half way point

Tuesday marks the half way point of the week, and for the most part we are doing pretty well. We had another official fall very sick Monday night and had to pull out of his game for Tuesday. I am really hoping it isn't contagious as he is my roommate ;o(. I called home and when my wife heard my roommate was sick, she initially told me to stay away from him, but then decided it would be better for me to get it here so I don't bring it home and have it run through our 5 kids. My personal preference would be to not get sick at all, and think that is what I have decided on.

I was back at the rink on Tuesday for the early game again, this time I was standby, not sure if I have mentioned it in previous posts (and am too lazy to go back and look) but we have an standby official for each game incase someone gets sick or hurt, I didn't have to go out for that game, but it was my turn to be up for the 11:30 game between PEI and New Brunswick. Early in the game Karen and I commented on the stops and starts and how tiring it can be. We would rather skate up and down the ice all day long, over doing the "lightning drills" of stops and starts, as it is far more tiring. We started to get a little more flow as the game went on, however there were a lot of penalties in this game. I believe it was 22 minutes for one side and 12 for the other. Which is a large number for this level. The final score was 6 - 0 for New Brunswick. Again, I felt pretty good during the game. I find it important to keep reminding myself not to overthink what needs to be done while we are here. Yes the games are important and we play a role in the games, but I have officiated thousands of games in the last 19 years, so have to remember to just keep doing what I know I can do.

I stayed around to watch the Nova Scotia vs Alberta game which had another very large crowd. It is really great to see the support of the local community. People started showing up an hour before game time in order to get in. It was only 3 - 2 Alberta after the 1st period, but it looked like playing two games in a day started to catch up with Nova Scotia in the 2nd period and they ended up falling 8 - 2 much to the disappointment of the crowd.

We then went back to the hotel, we actually went rode back with one of the members of of the Canada Games Council from Whitehorse, and had a good discussion with him.

We had our Tuesday night meeting, and got our assigments for Wednesday. The day was going to start off with the 4 vs 5 game and then we were going to get into the quarterfinals. I have the Quebec vs. Nova Scotia game. It should be a good game, and will surely be loud at the rink. I am exicited about the opportunity. I will also be standing by for the last game of the day (we have a 7:00 pm game on Wednesday). It will be between Alberta and the winner of the 4 vs 5 game first thing in the morning.

After the meeting we went out for a team dinner, this was our splurge night, as we had decided to head to the Keg for a nice meal.

This morning, I am just getting ready to go, will go grab some breakfast and then off to the rink, as I will get there for the 11:30 games as well (I am not on the ice until 2:00 today). This will let me see all of the quarterfinals. It will be a late night tonight with the extra game on the schedule, so likely won't get to post again until tomorrow.