A number of people have been asking about the Mass Playdowns and State Tournament. Before I detail those dates, it probably makes sense to give you a sense of how the Jimmy Welch Schedule is shaping up. By the way, I would encourage everyone to have our team keep our focus on the Jimmy Welch. As I say every year, the Jimmy Welch Tournament is the single best barometer of how we are playing as a team. While the other tournaments are important, the Jimmy Welch Tournament is really the benchmark by which we measure ourselves.
1) Jimmy Welch Tournament
Although the schedule is not yet final, it is likely that we will play 2 games on Friday and 2 games on Saturday. We should also expect that those games will fall in the afternoon and early evening. If we are lucky enough to be in the finals, those will be held on Sunday.
There are 5 teams in our division: Saratoga B (we played them at Kittredge), a Clifton Park Team, Northern Berkshire and a team from Rhode Island.
I also want to give a final push to make sure that everyone signs to help with tournament duties. The sign up sheets are posted prominently at the rink. This tournament is the major Rattler fundraiser of the year. Our success or failure depends on the tournament running smoothly and that means everyone needs to help out. So, if you haven’t volunteered, please do so.
Also, our very own Theresa Smith has routinely worked wonders with the raffle table. But she can always use a hand assembling the gift baskets, working at the table, selling the tickets. I know that any offers of assistance are greatly appreciated.
2) Playdowns and State Tournament
A few people have asked me to explain the “playdowns” and how they relate to the Mass State Tournament. The playdowns are the qualifying round for the State Tournament, and the State Tournament is the Mass Hockey run tournament that designates overall state champions at the various levels of play. Playdowns are held by district, and are single elimination, ie, if you lose, you’re out. We are in Mass Hockey District 6 and are designated as a Tier II team. Our playdowns are held in Springfield at the Olympia Ice Center, and we are planning on participating.
Our first playdown game is on Monday, February 16, at 10:20 am. Please note that the week of February 16 is the spring break for most Mass schools. Also, Feb 16 happens to be Presidents’ Day. Accordingly, while I was worried about fielding a full team, I now believe that is not a problem.
If we win our game on Feb 16, we play our next on Tuesday, February 17 at 10:10 am. Again, my understanding is that most kids are on vacation so we should not have too much of a problem fielding a team. As for the New Yorkers (Alexi Niemanov, Grace Jennings and Ethan Cohen), I am fairly certain that they are available to play. In any event, if your player has a conflict and cannot participate, please let me know as soon as possible.
If we win both our games in the playdowns, we then qualify to play in the State Tournament which will be held on February 27 – March 1 in Fitchberg, Mass. That is all I know so far about the Tournament. As I get more information, I will pass it along.
3) This Weekend
Just a reminder: on Saturday we have 2 games. The first is at 9:00 at Berkshire, and the second is at 12:30 in Pittsfield. On Sunday we have a practice at Berkshire School. And, of course, practice tonight.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Hockey for Week of Jan 5
1) Practice tonight at 7:15 pm in the new Ice Palace of Hockey.
2) Saturday’s game will be at 10:15 am (a change from what was posted on the schedule).
3) Sunday’s practice is at 10:15 am. I would very much appreciate full attendance and arrival by 9:15 so we can talk before we dress.
2) Saturday’s game will be at 10:15 am (a change from what was posted on the schedule).
3) Sunday’s practice is at 10:15 am. I would very much appreciate full attendance and arrival by 9:15 so we can talk before we dress.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Kittredge Starts Tomorrow!
We are set to play tomorrow at 9 am at the Pittsfield Boys and Girls Club. Our first opponent is the Berkshire Bruins. Whether we have played them before and whether we won or lost those contests is irrelevant. It’s like the NHL Play-Offs, it is a brand new season.
Let’s all try to be at the rink an hour before game time.
Let’s all focus on the task at hand -- playing hard and with intensity.
And remember, we must play to win every battle and we must treat each shift as if there will be no next shift.
See you at the rink.
Let’s all try to be at the rink an hour before game time.
Let’s all focus on the task at hand -- playing hard and with intensity.
And remember, we must play to win every battle and we must treat each shift as if there will be no next shift.
See you at the rink.
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