We got the gold! A 7-4 win over Team Canada!
Friday, July 26, 2013
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Masters Update - July 24, 2013
Over the past four days, we have competed in four
games. As mentioned in a previous post, our first game was a tough loss to Team Canada. A last second surge gave us a great opportunity to tie it up at the final buzzer, but we unfortunately came up short. Our second game was a matchup
against Russia, which unfortunately resulted in an 11-6 loss; we felt like we had some good chances, but in
the end they were the better team that day. In the third game, we played the host country – Team Israel. They gave us a very good test, as they have
with all teams, but we were able to pull out our first victory of the
tournament. It was good to get a win
under our belt before we moved out of the round robin portion of the tourney and into the playoff rounds.
With a 1-2 record and the #3 seed going into the playoffs, we had a rematch with the #2 seed Team Russia. With a solid game plan put together by our coaching staff, the team dug deep and executed on it flawlessly. As a result, we come out on top with a 6-5 victory. That win put us in the gold medal game against the #1 seed and undefeated Team Canada. We're looking forward to that final showdown tomorrow night, but for now, we're about to get some much needed rest. Thanks for checking in!
With a 1-2 record and the #3 seed going into the playoffs, we had a rematch with the #2 seed Team Russia. With a solid game plan put together by our coaching staff, the team dug deep and executed on it flawlessly. As a result, we come out on top with a 6-5 victory. That win put us in the gold medal game against the #1 seed and undefeated Team Canada. We're looking forward to that final showdown tomorrow night, but for now, we're about to get some much needed rest. Thanks for checking in!
Monday, July 22, 2013
Open Hockey Update - Monday, July 22, 2013
Well, we're two games into round robin play... The US team is 2-0 with victories over Israel (14-0) and Ukraine (5-3). The team plays Canada on (7/23) at 9pm (Israeli Time) or 2pm (Eastern Time).
As it stands right now, Team USA will be at worst a #2 seen in medal play - with a win vs. Canada, we will be the #1 seed. Ukraine and Israel will play in the early game, with the winner earning the #3 seed.
For Video Highlights of Team USA Open Hockey, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpEsEwfbQYYSeoJY790vr_A
As it stands right now, Team USA will be at worst a #2 seen in medal play - with a win vs. Canada, we will be the #1 seed. Ukraine and Israel will play in the early game, with the winner earning the #3 seed.
For Video Highlights of Team USA Open Hockey, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpEsEwfbQYYSeoJY790vr_A
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Masters Update - July 21, 2013
Over the past few days, we've been spending time in Jerusalem touring the sites as well as attending the opening ceremonies. The ceremonies were very festive and energetic, and it seemed all athletes had an exceptional time barring the logistical nightmare of trying to get home that night.
We had a couple of practices in a rink just outside of Tel Aviv, which allowed us to get the legs going after the long journey over from the States. With our first game taking place yesterday afternoon, the team headed up to Metula in the morning. The ride was about 4 hours, and we were able to take in the beautiful and picturesque scenery of Israel and the Golan Heights as we ventured up to the northern part of the country.
In terms of the rink, it is located only yards from the Lebanon border, therefore, one would notice a significant presence of Israeli and UN security forces in the area. The rink itself, called the 'Canada Centre', is an Olympic size sheet of ice, and if one is wondering how the ice is, well, at this time of year, it's a little slow and slushy. Of course the 90+ degree weather outside doesn't help matters. But hey, this is hockey in Israel!!! As all teams took to the ice yesterday, we had our first game against Team Canada. Unfortunately, we ended up one goal short with a 6-5 loss, but we can take comfort knowing that we clawed back from a 4-1 deficit and had some very good opportunities to make it closer.
With a long day of traveling and playing yesterday, we can use this morning to unwind a little, and get ready for our next game this evening against Team Russia. It will be another good test, and I know we are all looking forward to getting back on that ice!
Thanks for checking in!
We had a couple of practices in a rink just outside of Tel Aviv, which allowed us to get the legs going after the long journey over from the States. With our first game taking place yesterday afternoon, the team headed up to Metula in the morning. The ride was about 4 hours, and we were able to take in the beautiful and picturesque scenery of Israel and the Golan Heights as we ventured up to the northern part of the country.
In terms of the rink, it is located only yards from the Lebanon border, therefore, one would notice a significant presence of Israeli and UN security forces in the area. The rink itself, called the 'Canada Centre', is an Olympic size sheet of ice, and if one is wondering how the ice is, well, at this time of year, it's a little slow and slushy. Of course the 90+ degree weather outside doesn't help matters. But hey, this is hockey in Israel!!! As all teams took to the ice yesterday, we had our first game against Team Canada. Unfortunately, we ended up one goal short with a 6-5 loss, but we can take comfort knowing that we clawed back from a 4-1 deficit and had some very good opportunities to make it closer.
With a long day of traveling and playing yesterday, we can use this morning to unwind a little, and get ready for our next game this evening against Team Russia. It will be another good test, and I know we are all looking forward to getting back on that ice!
Thanks for checking in!
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Israel Connect
This will be a quick summary of the Open and Juniors activities to date:
One can't even begin to imagine how to transport two hockey teams right from training camp to Israel, but yet it has been done! Never stand in the way of determined ho9ckey players to get their smelly equipment on the plane before everyone else. Except for one player who we think got the security guards telephone number and the other who can't figure out if his name we were all good.
The plane trip over started out with a shout out from our pilot wish ONLY the ice hockey teams a warm welcome. Kinda cool. As we deplaned in Israel, picked up our luggage and equipment and commandeered a truck for the bags we were bused away to Kfar Maccabiah our home for the next few nights. Let the trip begin...
After a quick training session the teams were bused to Independence Hall, Rabin Square and Neve Tzedek for a small bit of cultural experiences and a quick history lesson, then we had a boxed lunch and visit to the Tel Aviv beaches. It truly doesn't get better then that, unless you manage to get a black eye so you look cool for your evening out with the boys.
Another morning of training begins and most of the players are in good spirits, at least those who got some sleep. After we headed off to Mt. Scopus, Old City, the Jewish Quarter, the Kotel and more. Talk about a short day for us. Even our morning workouts felt like nothing after all that walking and climbing. We returned home for a bbq with all the Maccabi USA teams!
Yes another morning of training and yes a full day of activities-but this time we relax first in the dead sea. Then after a quick rinse you conquer Masada! Then we are treated to a Bedouin Tent dinner. If that's not enough some of the older players had yet,another night out...
Our Israel connect program is starting to wind down and we finish with an emotional day visiting, Yad Vashem, Mt. Herzl, Knesset, Ammunition Hill and Machane Yehuda. WOW is right-the athletes had a chance to sit for a bit in their small bus groups and then reflected on the activities we have done together as a group. It was at this point in the trip that it all came together for them. The reason why they are here. But with any Jewish event we were not done yet we still had a B'nai Mitzvah to attend! The Phyliss Magerman Memorial B'nai Mitzvah was the ONLY way these past few days should wrap up. To see the amount of athletes who rose up to participate for this was overwhelming. The entire Open Ice Hockey team participated! Some who never had a B'nai Mitzvah did so in Israel over looking the city at sunset-it doesn't get any better then that.
Our buses were truly blessed with guides who not only cared about us learning and enjoying our trip but us as well. The program provided them with WATER, food and sunscreen! If you didn't drink enough you were told.
This was our quick overview of the last few days before we departed to the North. More personal information to follow shortly.
Oh, and for those of you not traveling to see your sons-yes they do miss you!
One can't even begin to imagine how to transport two hockey teams right from training camp to Israel, but yet it has been done! Never stand in the way of determined ho9ckey players to get their smelly equipment on the plane before everyone else. Except for one player who we think got the security guards telephone number and the other who can't figure out if his name we were all good.
The plane trip over started out with a shout out from our pilot wish ONLY the ice hockey teams a warm welcome. Kinda cool. As we deplaned in Israel, picked up our luggage and equipment and commandeered a truck for the bags we were bused away to Kfar Maccabiah our home for the next few nights. Let the trip begin...
After a quick training session the teams were bused to Independence Hall, Rabin Square and Neve Tzedek for a small bit of cultural experiences and a quick history lesson, then we had a boxed lunch and visit to the Tel Aviv beaches. It truly doesn't get better then that, unless you manage to get a black eye so you look cool for your evening out with the boys.
Another morning of training begins and most of the players are in good spirits, at least those who got some sleep. After we headed off to Mt. Scopus, Old City, the Jewish Quarter, the Kotel and more. Talk about a short day for us. Even our morning workouts felt like nothing after all that walking and climbing. We returned home for a bbq with all the Maccabi USA teams!
Yes another morning of training and yes a full day of activities-but this time we relax first in the dead sea. Then after a quick rinse you conquer Masada! Then we are treated to a Bedouin Tent dinner. If that's not enough some of the older players had yet,another night out...
Our Israel connect program is starting to wind down and we finish with an emotional day visiting, Yad Vashem, Mt. Herzl, Knesset, Ammunition Hill and Machane Yehuda. WOW is right-the athletes had a chance to sit for a bit in their small bus groups and then reflected on the activities we have done together as a group. It was at this point in the trip that it all came together for them. The reason why they are here. But with any Jewish event we were not done yet we still had a B'nai Mitzvah to attend! The Phyliss Magerman Memorial B'nai Mitzvah was the ONLY way these past few days should wrap up. To see the amount of athletes who rose up to participate for this was overwhelming. The entire Open Ice Hockey team participated! Some who never had a B'nai Mitzvah did so in Israel over looking the city at sunset-it doesn't get any better then that.
Our buses were truly blessed with guides who not only cared about us learning and enjoying our trip but us as well. The program provided them with WATER, food and sunscreen! If you didn't drink enough you were told.
This was our quick overview of the last few days before we departed to the North. More personal information to follow shortly.
Oh, and for those of you not traveling to see your sons-yes they do miss you!
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Masters Update - July 17, 2013
Most of the team is now in Israel with just a couple of more guys due to arrive in the next day or so. It wasn't too bad of a flight except for the 3+ hour delay at Newark, which for many of us was a connection since we were coming from different parts of the U.S. Since the delay got us into Israel much later than planned, we will be working off of just a few hours of sleep before our practice tomorrow morning. It was very cool to arrive at Ben Gurion Airport with all of the Maccabiah signage up and volunteers helping out with logistics as well as seeing other national teams milling about getting ready to embark on their own experiences. With it being dark since my arrival, I am looking forward to tomorrow and seeing Jerusalem in the daylight. Good night for now, and thanks for checking in!
Friday, July 12, 2013
Shabbat
Seeing your athletes at Shabbat services and attending Shabbat dinner is truly an experience. While the athletes are serious about the sport and have fun in their off time, its nice to see that these players have a sense of their religious roots.
The Maccabi management group was truly impressed with the Hockey Team's turn out! Thank you players-its moments like this that we are evaluated and they remember.
The Maccabi management group was truly impressed with the Hockey Team's turn out! Thank you players-its moments like this that we are evaluated and they remember.
The Plane
Except for well behaved athletes, the captain giving the Ice Hockey team a shout out before the flight what happens in flight stays in flight!
JFK
The juniors and open teams arrived in New York for training camp and as quickly as they arrived they departed for Israel. The junior team spent several days in Long Branch practicing and bonding. While the open team had a two days to prepare. As the open team pulled up to the JFK to meet up with the juniors the Maccabi experience began. A sea of athletes filled the El Al terminal. But only one group had the pungent smell of freshly skated equipment in tow! You can only image how this got us to the front of the line and our baggage on the belts quickly.
Now we had one issue through the first leg of security-but we think that athlete finally got her number after being grilled for what seemed 30 minutes. Oh, and when you travel its important to make sure you don't confuse your first and last names.
Friday, July 5, 2013
It's almost time to go!
|
We're sending a record-number
1,117 athletes to Israel this month for the 19th World Maccabiah Games. Now
it's time to GET THE WORD OUT!
We're all so excited to be a part of the third-largest sporting event IN THE WORLD...so let's scream it out loud and proud by spreading the word to our friends and family. |
|
Here's what you can do
RIGHT NOW:
Step 1:  and
or  Step 2: Take a quick photo or video that shows you are ready for the Games Step 3: Share your photo or video on social media, ask your friends and family to follow Maccabi USA to get the latest news and behind-the-scenes scoop on Team USA, and don't forget to tag @maccabiusa and #maccabiusa. The success of our organization relies heavily on grassroots outreach and your influence will be key in ensuring that we can continue to give athletes the opportunity to share their heritage and culture in competitive athletic settings in Israel and around the world. |
|
Best of luck, and let
the Games begin!
Your Friends at Maccabi USA |
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Message from the Maccabi Office
July
2, 2013
USA
19th World
Maccabiah Games Organizing Committee and Coaches,
Tomorrow
our Advanced Team
is departing for the 19th World
Maccabiah Games. There is no better time then right now to say thank you for everything you have done. It’s
hard to believe that the first 300 members of Team USA leave this Saturday for
Israel and begin their Maccabiah experience.
Volunteers
are the back-bone of our organization. They are unsung heroes who are willing
to share their valuable time, talents, and energy to help make our projects,
events, or day run better and smoother, and help lighten our load. It's
important for us to let each of you volunteers know just how much you are
appreciated.
Your
hard work, time, and commitment towards the formation of Team USA for the 19th World
Maccabiah Games was exemplary, and we just wanted a moment to say thank you.
For
those volunteers that will be with us in Israel, we look forward to being with
you, and for those at home, we hope that you will keep tabs on Team USA through
the different social media outlets.
Go Team USA!
Letter from Maccabi
Members of Team USA Junior, Open, and Masters Ice Hockey Teams,
I hope this letter finds you all doing well and that you're getting excited about your upcoming trip to Israel and the 19th Maccabiah Games. As some of you know, I've been here in Israel for the past couple of months working in the Maccabiah Sports Department helping to prepare for the upcoming Games. While I'm working with all of the sports here, my primary focus has been on the Maccabiah hockey tournament. During the Games, I'll be serving as the tournament coordinator and while my heart is always red, white and blue, you'll have to forgive the neutrality that is required in this role.
I'm happy to report that preparations are coming along very well for the tournament. I was in Metula today for another visit and was excited to see the progress at the Canada Center. They recently installed new boards and glass and will be laying the ice down over the next several days. The people in Metula are thrilled to have hockey back in the Games for the first time since 1997 and are eagerly awaiting your arrival.
Playing ice hockey in the 1997 Maccabiah was one of the most important experiences of my life. It inspired me to take a leadership role with Maccabi USA during the 2001, 2005, and 2009 Games and helped forge what I know will be a life-long connection to Israel. I won't predict what the Maccabiah experience will mean to each of you, but I can promise that it will be unlike any other athletic or cultural experience you've ever had. Lacing up your skates on a team full of fellow Jews, at the world's third largest international sporting event, in the ancient home of our people isn't something that happens every day. I hope you'll cherish this experience and take full advantage of what lies ahead.
In this spirit, I thought it might be helpful to pass along a few tips that I've learned from my participation in several Maccabiah programs over the years. I hope these will help you to have the best possible experience here in Israel.
I hope this letter finds you all doing well and that you're getting excited about your upcoming trip to Israel and the 19th Maccabiah Games. As some of you know, I've been here in Israel for the past couple of months working in the Maccabiah Sports Department helping to prepare for the upcoming Games. While I'm working with all of the sports here, my primary focus has been on the Maccabiah hockey tournament. During the Games, I'll be serving as the tournament coordinator and while my heart is always red, white and blue, you'll have to forgive the neutrality that is required in this role.
I'm happy to report that preparations are coming along very well for the tournament. I was in Metula today for another visit and was excited to see the progress at the Canada Center. They recently installed new boards and glass and will be laying the ice down over the next several days. The people in Metula are thrilled to have hockey back in the Games for the first time since 1997 and are eagerly awaiting your arrival.
Playing ice hockey in the 1997 Maccabiah was one of the most important experiences of my life. It inspired me to take a leadership role with Maccabi USA during the 2001, 2005, and 2009 Games and helped forge what I know will be a life-long connection to Israel. I won't predict what the Maccabiah experience will mean to each of you, but I can promise that it will be unlike any other athletic or cultural experience you've ever had. Lacing up your skates on a team full of fellow Jews, at the world's third largest international sporting event, in the ancient home of our people isn't something that happens every day. I hope you'll cherish this experience and take full advantage of what lies ahead.
In this spirit, I thought it might be helpful to pass along a few tips that I've learned from my participation in several Maccabiah programs over the years. I hope these will help you to have the best possible experience here in Israel.
·
Take care of yourself physically prior to and
during the Maccabiah. The combination of travel, long-days, hot weather,
different food, training and competition is challenging no matter how fit you
are. Be sure you come into the program well rested and get as much sleep
as possible while you're here. You all know how important hydration
is....you'll be told it a million times, but I've seen many US athletes become
dehydrated here and it is very unpleasant.
·
Be prepared that not everything will go
perfectly. Organizing an international sporting event with 9,000 plus
athletes is a monumental task, particularly in a country like Israel that lacks
the volume of high-quality athletic facilities that we enjoy in the
U.S. There will be buses that are late, the food might not always
be exactly what you want, the locker rooms aren't the best, and the officials
will miss a call here or there. Take it all in stride and your experience
(and the experience of those around you) will be far more pleasant.
·
Take full advantage of the amazing cultural and
non-athletic opportunities that will be provided. Everyone wants to win a
gold medal , but this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many of you and
it's about much more than just athletic competition.
·
Finally, I hope you'll take some time to follow
the link below to a special 20 minute documentary that aired nationally in
Canada the other day on TSN (their ESPN). It's a story about a unique
hockey program that is housed at the Canada Center in Metula. While it
doesn't deal directly with the Maccabiah, it does provide a context for the
location and environment in which our historic hockey tournament will take
place. You'll see images of some of the fighting that has taken place
over the years. Fortunately for us, and everyone in and around Metula,
the border with Lebanon has been quiet for the past several years.
http://video.tsn.ca/?dl=pipe42/latest/1/0/953997/clip/0
As always, feel free to be in touch if I can help answer any questions that you might have prior to your arrival. I look forward to seeing you all in Israel and to sharing this amazing experience with each of you.
Wishing you all the best.
Jeff Schulman
Ice Hockey Coordinator -- 19th Maccabiah Games
p.s. Here are links to the hockey schedule for the Games and for the hockey regulations that will govern the competition.
http://maccabiah.com/Data/Uploads/gamesschedule7.pdf
http://www.maccabiah.com/Data/Uploads/Ice%20Hockey.pdf
--
Monday, July 1, 2013
Thank you Philly!
Philadelphia/South Jersey hosted a meet and greet yesterday. Several members of Maccabi USA attended the event. It was a nice way for us to meet other participants and their families before we depart for Israel. Yes, that's right we are departing next week. After all these months of planning and training TEAM USA is almost ready! A couple of quick reminders-Pack your white team shirt to wear off the plane in Israel; bring snacks for the long flight; bring extra skates and or blades; sunscreen and hats! See you in a days.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)