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| 19th Maccabiah Games, Ice Hockey - Masters, Gold Medalists |
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| 2013 Maccabiah Games, USA Hockey Team, Masters Division |
Friday, August 2, 2013
Masters Update - August 2, 2013
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!
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