It was the girl's last night with their billets. Our parents loaded the bus at the hotel early this morning and made the trip out to Tusuula, Finland. There many of us had coffee, and visited with the girls prior to our first game time. The first game of the day saw Sting Team Gold go head-to head with our host team out of Kerava. Sting led 1-0 at the half and finished with a 4-1 win. This gave Sting Team Gold a 2W-1T-0L record after the round robin.
Team Sting Black was up next and they played our other host team from Nurmijarvi. Sting was up 4-0 at the half and finished the game with an 8-0 score. Sting Team Black also finished with a 2W-1T-0L record after the round robin.
The Finnish team from Helsinki completed their round robin with the same undefeated record as the two Central Alberta teams. Goals for/against during the round robin were used to determine which of these three teams would play for gold and which would fight for bronze. Unfortunately, using this formula, Sting Team Black would play for gold and Sting Team Gold would play for bronze. No head to head Sting game was in our future.
In the bronze medal final, Sting Team Gold was up against the Luvian Kiekko 82 team that had forced a tie with Sting Black during the round robin. Sting Team Gold wasted little time taking care of business and lead 2-1 at the half. They rolled through the second half and the final score was a Sting win 7-3. With this win, Sting Team Gold went undefeated in Europe with 4 wins and 1 tie. Sting Gold Player of the Tournament was Kristen DeMale who scored clutch goals all weekend. Well done Kristen!
In the gold medal final, Sting Team Black was up against the Helsinki team that had also forced a tie with our sister Sting team during the round robin. This was a hard fought battle, with Helsinki leading the game 2-1 at the half. Like both Sting teams had done all weekend, the girls refused to quit and they finished with a 5-2 win. With this win, Sting Team Black also went undefeated in Europe with 4 wins and 1 tie. Sting Black Player of the Tournament was Missy Misutka. She has played amazing defence this entire trip and was a great selection. Good job Missy!
After the Gold Medal Final, the top three teams were each presented with trophies and individual medals. It was very exciting on the ice and I am confident that hundreds of photos were taken. Regardless of medal colour, we could not have asked for any more than the only two undefeated teams both being CAB Sting. Everyone here is extremely proud of all of our girls. They played hard, clean, and never gave up. Sting really does Rock the House!
After the medal presentations, the girls got changed and headed outside to say goodbye to their host families and friends. This was an emotional farewell as many great friendships had formed over the last couple of months. Tears were shed and lots of hugs were given before we loaded the buses. I understand that life has a funny way of moving people apart, but hopefully some of the friendships formed on this trip will last well into the future.
The Finns were all very nice to our girls and we are thankful for the experiences they have provided. As we reiterated many times, if the opportunity ever arises when we can repay the Finns and host their girls, we would love to do it.
Returning to the hotel, most of our girls hit the showers, then everyone separated for supper. We have an early day tomorrow as Sting starts our long journey home.
My observations for the day:
- Our Finnish host families are awesome and deserve a huge Thank-You! They were all very kind to our girls and provided them an experience not often available. I am unaware of many school, or other ringette trips where this amazing experience has been provided. They opened up their homes to our girls and made the effort to get to know us, while allowing us to get to know them. Again Thank-you!
- Our two host teams from Nurmijarvi and Kerava were both sporting their "Friends First" red laces in their right skates today. Very nice. The world is a big place, but the ringette community is a small family. I hope that the positive inspiration of this program will continue here in Finland.
- Finnish pastry is sooooo good. I don't know what that desert was at lunch - like a crepe/strawberry/cream thing - but I am sure everyone will agree - Wow!
- The Finnish Ringette communities in Nurmijarvi and Kerava are amazing. Not only did they host the tournament and billet the girls, but they also catered our lunches, sharpened our skates and worked the boxes/shot clock so that our parents didn't need to. Very nice and very much appreciated. Jari and Jari and all of the Blue Rings players and parents - Thank you!!
- The food in Helsinki is amazing. Please don't love us parents any less if we return a little larger than when we left.
- Back home, it is not uncommon to help the homeless. Here is Helsinki we tried to do a little to help a homeLes lady. Europe can be challenging if you don't pace yourself. (see photo below)
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