Before we left Alberta, knowing that our games slots in Finland were shorter than usual, we divided our group into two equal teams. Being creative, one was named Sting Team Black, and one was Sting Team Gold. Each team has a Finnish player on their roster to allow us the opportunity to ice 4 defence and 6 forwards. We are very grateful that these Finnish girls have helped us so that we can play. Team Black also has the two most awesome Finnish Assistant coaches helping on the bench.
The Finns were very nice and they organized an eight team tournament this weekend for our visit. There are teams from our two host associations - Nurmijarvi Seven Ringettes and Kerava Shakers. There are also teams from Helsinki Ringette, PiPS Pieksamaki, Luvian Kiekko 82 and Jarvenpaan Haukat. All of the teams are very good and the competition has been exciting.
Our Sting Team Black is: Gill, Syd, Shae, Mckenna, Brenna, Missy, Bryn, Sara, Neea and Megan. Coaches are Jackie, Chad, Henna and Annika. Our Sting Team Gold is: Kelita, Rylee, Holly, Hailee, Ash, Reese, Maddie, Kristen, Ninni, and Keara. Coaches are Traci and Lee. Our three (3) goalies are Baylee, Sally and Becca, and they are rotating between both teams. The Team Manager on both teams is Heather.
Team Black opened the tournament against the team from Jarvenpaan. Sting Black lead 3-0 at the half and won the game 5-0. Sting Team Black's second game was against the team from Luvian. The Finns lead this game 2-0 at the half and were still up late in the game, but Sting Black scored two goals in the final 5 minutes to earn a 2-2 draw.
Team Gold opened their tournament with a game against Helsinki Ringette. Sting Team Gold lead 1-0 at the half, but the Finns fought back and earned a 1-1 tie. Sting Team Gold's second game was against the PiPS team. Once again, Sting were down 2-0 into the second half, but they showed that you can never count the Canadians out. They rallied for a 3-2 win.
All of the games were close and very exciting. The players on all of the teams are playing very hard everyone wants to play well. After the games our players returned to their host families, and the parents returned to Helsinki for a long boring night without the girls. Somehow we have managed to survive and should be ready for tomorrow when we see them again.
Our girls had a special guest join them today. Sini Forsblom, the President of the International Ringette Federation spoke with the girls in their locker room. Ms. Forsblom was kind enough to drive in and meet our girls today and she even brought chocolates. Nice! Our girls explained the "Friends First" campaign that they have joined with their friend from Ringette Calgary to Ms. Forsblom and they presented her with a red skate lace which will now be on her right skate. Ms Forsblom was very accommodating and we also presented her with a Sting player warm-up shirt. Our girls and coaches worked with Finnish translators to explain the "Friends First" initiative to our two host teams - and then all of them were presented with red skate laces as well.
Observations for the day:
- The Finns are awesome hosts. All of our girls are happy, and we are hearing many great billet stories.
- It is a mad rush when the people from RingJet visit the icehall. Canadians and Finns alike rush to see the newest models and colours of sticks.
- Coaches are the same everywhere. Some are calm and manage the game with class, while others yell and create a distraction. I am glad that most Canadian and Finnish coaches, while competitive, realize that the game is about the girls.
- The recreational facilities in Europe are far more practical and efficient than what we see at home. Though the rinks here are simple in design, and may not house trendy cafes and wave pools, they provide excellent opportunities for athletes both inside and surrounding each icehall (arena). We could learn from the Finns and Swedes in this regard.
- The Japanese restaurant in Finland is awesome (again!)
awesome! go Sting!
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