Blizzard update (a little late but ... )

JUST a quick (and way late) update but I wish I could say that the news out of Missisauga a few weekends back was good but unfortunately for the 2006/2007 edition of the London Blizzard that was not the case.

The Blizzard fell 3-1 to the Missisauga All Blacks that morning in what was seen as a very valiant effort all around by the team.

We got off on a good start by scoring the first goal of the game late in second period (yours truly scored it on a nice pass from my linemate Cam on a 2 on 1 break) but shortly thereafter Missisauga scored to tie the game and then go ahead 2-1 by the end of the period. A late goal in the third by the All Blacks sealed the game for them and their advancement in the OSHA playoffs.

While the disappointment was high amongst the team afterwards you could feel that no one felt the season was a waste. As I see it, it's all about taking steps to that next "level" so we as a team can get THAT much better and use it to our advantage for next season. Maybe next year when we make the playoffs again (yes, I am going on record as saying we WILL make the playoffs again) this lesson that we learned today will serve us well.

We perservered all season when the odds were against us and faced the challenges presented to us head on and never backed down. I know I have faith in my team and I know we'll be that much stronger next season.

We can do it and way to go Blizz!

We're Playoff Bound!

That's right folks .. THE BLIZZARD ARE PLAYOFF BOUND !

This past Sunday my beloved sledge hockey team the London Blizzard clinched a spot in the Ontario Sledge Hockey Association (OSHA) playoffs with a hard fought 1-0 over the Fraser, Michigan Ice Dogs.

It came down to the last game of the season and we had to win our game to make it because we had to forfeit our first game against them due to limited man and woman power. Essentially we couldn't ice a full team to play so we had to pass on the game.

We were told that we had to win this game or else we were through for the season so as you can imagine the Blizzard came out, played hard and smart and were justly rewarded for their efforts! It was pretty satisfying to come off at the end of the game knowing that you gave everything you had and worked hard especially since the week before you lost a game you felt you should have won (it was exhibition but still ... ). There were ALOT of happy faces in the locker room for sure!

For myself, it was great to be back on the ice skating and playing after a month off due to back problems and it was nice to be a part of something so special. I told my guys that if they could win that game and get us into the playoffs I'd be back with them. Well what would you know .. I was (no pun intended) back sooner than I had thought!

Tonight we had a good practice and we seem ready.

Who is up for the London Blizzard? We're off to Missisauga to play the Missisauga All Blacks. I have no idea what this team is like to play but when you see their season stats and finsihing second in their division and with 28 goals for and 10 against you can get a good idea about what this team is like. You can also be assured that we will have our hands full.

We have a challenge ahead for us and I believe we can do it. We worked hard to get to this point and I think my guys (and gal) aren't quite ready to go home yet.

I'll post the results of Saturday's game here.

Wish us luck!