The hockey is, as predicted - great. The teams (save the hosts) all advanced to the tourney because they are Champions. Beyond the expected nerves/rust throughout the early minutes of the early games on Saturday, it was end to end action and high quality hockey.
The crowds are somewhat disappointing, but that also probably isn't a big surprise with how the Clippers drew throughout the season. Here's hoping Nanaimo picking up a win last night will get some more fans into the building. That won't do anything to improve attendance at the games that don't involve the Clippers though. Here's hoping enough people spread the word in regards to how good the hockey is and more people show up. Too bad for such a high calibre tournament.
The Host Committee has done a masterful job. From attending high-level and large scale tournaments in the past on a handful of occasions, I have come to expect some fairly large scale problems in the opening days. Not so in Nanaimo, as everyone seemed to know their job and know their stuff. Great job by the WCC hosts and the army of volunteers!
Tournament hockey is certainly fun to watch, isn't it? Brooks bests Surrey when Surrey might have felt they were the better team and had the better chances. Nanaimo recovers from two Yorkton leads (1-0, 2-1) to lead 3-2 after 40 minutes, only to give up two quick ones to lose to the Terriers 4-3.
I didn't get down to the tournament yesterday, but I watched on FAST HOCKEY...
Nanaimo takes advantage of a five minute major to blow open the game and Brooks can't recover as the Clippers top the Bandits 7-2, while Yorkton runs their record to 2-0 topping Steinbach 3-2 after the Pistons had come back from a 2-0 hole.
It's been a pleasure working with the Fast Hockey crew so far, and lots of fun broadcasting with Fraser Rodgers and Ian Holmes (reuniting the DREAM TEAM for the first time since the 2009 U17 Gold Medal game) over the two opening games of the tournament.
The Fast Hockey technology is something else...it was nice to hear great feedback from across the country and across the world from people tuning in!
I'll be watching from the comforts of home tonight on the laptop as Surrey and Steinbach battle for their first win of the tourney.
I didn't get down to the tournament yesterday, I instead got out for a round of Golf at the beautiful Alberni Golf Club.
A career best 78 for me. I felt bad talking about my golfing plans on the broadcasts on Saturday. Sorry everyone else in the rest of the country. You should get out here!
I have read some reports that it's the coldest Spring on the Prairies in over a decade...it's not too late to jump a plane or jump in your car and get out here for some great hockey action!
P.S. - bring your clubs!
Hammer
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