Well we have made it safely to Halifax, the flight was very smooth, almost no turbulance, and much quicker than I thought it was going to be. The landing seemed like we were coming in pretty fast, but they got us stopped before the end of the runway, I guess that is all that matters. We got checked into the Lord Nelson hotel. It apears to be very nice, with a lot in the general area, so it should be good for the week.
All of the officials have made it in (with their luggage) so we will be all set for the games that start tomorrow morning at 9:00. We have our first meeting as a crew at 4:30 local time, and will find out our assignements for tomorrow.
We have already checked in with the Canada Games committee, and got our accreditation, and any who didn't provide a picture to the web interface went off to another location to get their picture taken. Being the rule follower that I am, I sent in my picture, so everything was waiting for me in the lobby of the hotel.
Tonight is the opening ceremonies, and from what people have been saying it is supposed to be a pretty good show, hopefully it lives up to the local hype.
Looking forward to getting on the ice tomorrow, and then the fun begins...
Friday, February 11, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
4 days until departure
Well, we leave this Friday. I am working to get everything sorted around at work, and at home before I go.
I skated in the Richmond Hill tournament this weekend, and felt pretty good. I had 3 Belle AA games (or U19 AA for those that don't like me using the old names), 1 NRL and one Junior A on Saturday and one Belle AA on Sunday.
Overall I felt good on the games, the Richmond Hill NRL team let me get a copy of the game so I can watch myself and see where I feel I can improve my game(not sure if they were making a passive statement about my officiating or not). Haven't had a chance to watch it yet, but given how difficult it is to get feedback from evaluators on NRL games (given they are so spread out, and not large number of games at tournaments any more) hopefully seeing myself will enable me to at least see what I am doing. One of the toughest things in improving yourself, is not really knowing what you are doing on the ice. Hopefully video will help in that. I am always looking to improve my game, so always looking for ways to do it.
I did realize how much the game has changed in the last few years, as it wasn't that long ago that I would skate 7 games in a day at a tournament and not think anything of it, now when I saw 5 games on my schedule, 4 of which had 20 minute periods, I was wondering if the RIC was trying to kill me. The game is so much faster since the shot clock has come in, it really makes a huge difference in the number of games you can skate in a day. Of course, maybe I am just getting older and more out of shape, or maybe it is a combination of both...
Flight leaves at 9:45 Friday morning so we are down to less than 4 days until we are off. Should be a good time, hopefully we don't get any of the winter weather that the maritimes have seen this winter, as February in Halifax can be hit or miss. I guess we will just have to wait and see.
I skated in the Richmond Hill tournament this weekend, and felt pretty good. I had 3 Belle AA games (or U19 AA for those that don't like me using the old names), 1 NRL and one Junior A on Saturday and one Belle AA on Sunday.
Overall I felt good on the games, the Richmond Hill NRL team let me get a copy of the game so I can watch myself and see where I feel I can improve my game(not sure if they were making a passive statement about my officiating or not). Haven't had a chance to watch it yet, but given how difficult it is to get feedback from evaluators on NRL games (given they are so spread out, and not large number of games at tournaments any more) hopefully seeing myself will enable me to at least see what I am doing. One of the toughest things in improving yourself, is not really knowing what you are doing on the ice. Hopefully video will help in that. I am always looking to improve my game, so always looking for ways to do it.
I did realize how much the game has changed in the last few years, as it wasn't that long ago that I would skate 7 games in a day at a tournament and not think anything of it, now when I saw 5 games on my schedule, 4 of which had 20 minute periods, I was wondering if the RIC was trying to kill me. The game is so much faster since the shot clock has come in, it really makes a huge difference in the number of games you can skate in a day. Of course, maybe I am just getting older and more out of shape, or maybe it is a combination of both...
Flight leaves at 9:45 Friday morning so we are down to less than 4 days until we are off. Should be a good time, hopefully we don't get any of the winter weather that the maritimes have seen this winter, as February in Halifax can be hit or miss. I guess we will just have to wait and see.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Exhibition game leading up to CWG's
I was scheduled for an exhibition game between Ontario's CWG's team and the Whitby NRL team on Saturday. I had figured this would be a good lead up to the games that start two weeks from now. Unfortunately, for whatever reason to say this game was lacking the intensity I expected would be an understatement. I got there 45 minutes before game time, and some of the players were just getting there. I went through my regular pregame stuff, and grabbed a bite to eat (as with a 12:15 - 2:15 game it makes it tough to eat before leaving home and tough to wait until after). I started to get ready for the game, and Janyce asked what our period lengths were going to be. I wasn't sure, but decided to find out. I went to find the Whitby manager, and in doing so, saw all the players still sitting in the lobby chatting 15 minutes before game time. This was a little odd, as normally they start getting ready about 30 minutes before the game. So I went back to let Janyce know that we were going to play three 20 minute periods and if it was tied we would have an shootout (which is what the NRL does if games are tied after regulation).
We get out on the ice, and I see right away that about half of the Whitby team are call ups from the Junior AA's. Apparently between exams, illness and injury they were missing a lot of players. Of their 12 skaters 5 were from the junior AA team.
As the game got going, we realized quite quickly that neither team was pushing very hard. There was laughing and joking between players that know each other. And the speed and desire just wasn't there.
It wasn't a great skate/warm up for the games, but as much as I would have liked the warm up, it didn't hurt my feelings too much, as Wednesday night I had broken a rib reffing a hockey game. Not a great thing two and a half weeks before leaving for Halifax, but thankfully it is the 12th rib (at the bottom) so it doesn't hurt too much from simple breathing. However during the game I realized that the transitions from front to back in skating, cause me to twist right at that rib, so had to do that cautiously. Hopefully it improves greatly in the next 2 weeks.
We get out on the ice, and I see right away that about half of the Whitby team are call ups from the Junior AA's. Apparently between exams, illness and injury they were missing a lot of players. Of their 12 skaters 5 were from the junior AA team.
As the game got going, we realized quite quickly that neither team was pushing very hard. There was laughing and joking between players that know each other. And the speed and desire just wasn't there.
It wasn't a great skate/warm up for the games, but as much as I would have liked the warm up, it didn't hurt my feelings too much, as Wednesday night I had broken a rib reffing a hockey game. Not a great thing two and a half weeks before leaving for Halifax, but thankfully it is the 12th rib (at the bottom) so it doesn't hurt too much from simple breathing. However during the game I realized that the transitions from front to back in skating, cause me to twist right at that rib, so had to do that cautiously. Hopefully it improves greatly in the next 2 weeks.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Saturday and Sunday of the Pickering Challenge Cup
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...
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...
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.
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