Weekly Report: December 26 - January 1

Weekly Report: December 26 - January 1
Coach Dunlop

Monday: Well after a nice few days off, it was back to work for me as the annual Macs Midget AAA Hockey Tournament started up, and once again I was working with the team from Russia, a mix between Severstal & Locomotiv teams. We started today against the Red Deer Rebels, who are one of the top teams in the AMHL. It was a tough fought game, and we were up 3-1 heading into the 3rd. However the last 20 minutes were not good, as Red Deer was able to come back & tie it up late. Final score: 3-3. Not good, but not bad either, we are still in it!

Tuesday: Up early today, taking on the Greater Vancouver Canadians. A good team, as we were only up 1-0 after the first period. Greater Van came out strong in the 2nd, scoring within the first 2 minutes to tie it up. But as any team & coach knows, you have to be going 100% for all 60 minutes. A 3-4 minute lapse was all it took for Russia Severstal/Locomotiv to get a few quick goals, and its 4-1 heading into the 2nd intermission. Keep the pressure going in the 3rd, and its an 8-1 win for us at the end. So far sitting 1-0-1 in our pool, tomorrow taking on the Calgary Flames in the feature game, also another top team.

Wednesday: After a morning video session at the Westin downtown hotel & a good meal, the team is ready to play. This one was very back & forth, with both teams continuously exchanging goals. Not the best finish, but was able to hang on for another tie, 4-4. Again, we are still in it, but must win tomorrow vs Saskatoon & then hope for some luck to make it to the playoffs.

Thursday: Saskatoon was a tough game, as they came out hard and fast, never giving up on a shift. 1-1 after the first period, and it is a ROUGH one. 2-1 after the 2nd, still very physical. Chances going each way in the 3rd, but Russia is able to bury a couple in the last 5 mints and it ends 4-1 for us. Scoreboard watching, the Flames defeated Red Deer so as of right now we hold a wildcard spot. There are about 12 or 13 more games to be played so anything can happen. Lets hope for the best!!

Friday: Today is an off day from the Macs, Topher is back in town from his holidays visiting with family & friends back home. We all meet at Humptys for breakfast, and go over what the plan is for the next month as Fred is set to leave to Europe on another recruiting trip, 3 weeks this time. It goes good, everything is ready for the start of 2012. After the meeting i check my phone to see that the Flames lost, meaning not only do we make the playoffs, but we win our pool and will take on a lower seeded team!!

Saturday: Its playoffs time, and we are taking on a team form the Czech Republic, Pirati Chomutov. Take a quick look at the video, go over a couple things and its GAME TIME! This one was even more rough & physical than the game vs Saskatoon. This Pirati team has some very good players, including a couple that were last cuts from the Czech World Jr team. Tied at 2 after the first, up 3-2 after 40, but we are able to pull it out and finish 5-3. On to the semi's! The team heads back to the hotel for a quick meal, and I go get my fill of coffee as I am going to need it. Russia seems to come out a bit slow, and are quickly behind the 8-ball. Down 2-1 entering after 2 periods, I go down & talk with the coaches, let them know what we are doing right & wrong. It seemed to help as we scored less than a minute in, and it stayed 2-2 all the way until the final 2 minutes. The game is going back and forth, both teams getting heir chances. But finally we catch a break, & on a breakaway we try with 1:56 left in the game. St. Albert calls a timeout to collect themselves and devise a game plan, but nothing happening & Russia Severstal/Locomotiv is going back to the finals for the first time since 2007. We go back to the hotel, send the boys to bed & the staff and myself order pizza and have champagne to kick off the new year. Just one glass as tomorrow is big game for all of us.

Sunday: I get up early, have a good breakfast, get everything prepared and head down to the hotel. Go over a bit more video, and then we all jump on the bus for the quick drive over to the Saddledome where the final will be played. We are given the WHL visitors room, and I set up my computers & everything for the game. Then its time for interviews, warming up, coaches talks & its time to go. We are playing the UFA Bisons, the same team we played in an exhibition on the 23rd and defeated 3-2. We all know we can win again, that we will win again. Its a tough game, UFA is coming physical and finishing every check, trying to wear Russia down. 0-0 after the first. 2nd period is more of the same, fast and physical, but we are up 2-0 entering the 3rd. The coaches come in to talk to me during intermission, wanting to see goals, special teams & defensive zone play. A couple adjustments are made, and we come out hard and increase the lead to 3-0 right away. UFA seems to looked drained and we continue to push hard, and after a long week of work & overcoming everyone that said we could not do it, Russia Severstal/Locomotiv wins the Macs Championship!!! One of the most amazing experiences I have been a part of. They ask me if I could come over to Cherepovets during the summer & say lets stay in touch. Hopefully it helps in recruiting players for next season. We all go back to the hotel, hooting & hollering with Gold around our necks, time for........: Pizza & Caviar! Gross, I don't know how anyone can eat Caviar on Pizza, but all the boys love it. Its a good time and recharges me for the next 6 months, as it is now time for SISEC to get back to work, focus on the next 2 months as playoffs are right around the corner. Go SISEC!!!

Coach Hugh