Masters Update - June 26, 2013

This past weekend, the team converged on to South Bend, Indiana for a final training camp before our departure to Israel in a few weeks.  We were able to cram in two practices as well as two games against a local men’s team in just over 48 hours there.  It was a good test for us in terms of stamina since we will be exposed to five hard-fought games in as many days during the tournament.  Overall, the weekend was a success as we continued to familiarize ourselves with one another’s idiosyncrasies on the ice. 

Additionally, we had some good off ice gatherings to get to know one another on a more personal level, which always enhances a team’s ability to develop that deeper bond.  One of those gatherings included watching Game 5 of the Stanley Cup, which sparked some of the fun banter between teammates that are Hawks fans vs. those that are B's fans.  And staying on the topic of Stanley Cup playoffs, it looked like with only a couple of minutes left in Game 6 that there surely was going to be a Game 7.  However, the Hawks only needed a swift 17 seconds to turn the tables and shut the door on the B's.  It just makes one realize how quickly a game can turn - for better or for worse. 

On another note, we all owe an enormous ‘thanks’ to the Lerman family for setting up just a wonderful weekend of hockey!  They were the most gracious hosts, and we all sincerely appreciate their hospitality and generosity.

The excitement is building each day as we get closer to boarding the plane to head overseas.  Everyone has been, and will be, working hard over the next few weeks to be in the best shape possible before we meet again in Jerusalem for the Opening Ceremonies.

Thanks for checking in on this post, and check back again for further updates!

Message from the Junior Team

Our training camp starts in about two weeks and although as of yet I know a few other players I'm looking forward to meeting the team and I'm sure they are as well. Although our team trains before Israel and in Israel we're expected to be in top shape our first skate together, which means that not only do we have to prepare logistically for the Maccabiah Games, but also physically. 

 

 

 

 

That's all for now,

Ethan

WELCOME William (Bill) Yanowsky

Welcome to Bill our official Trainer for the games!

Check your e-mails some towns are sponsoring a Meet and Greet

MACCABI USA CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO

“MEET AND GREET”

THE TEAM USA MEMBERS IN YOUR AREA PARTICIPATING IN

              THE 19TH WORLD MACCABIAH GAMES

 

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION,

MEET YOUR FELLOW TEAMMATES, AND HEAR ABOUT THE FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE

THAT AWAITS YOU

 

 

           When:                 Sunday June 30th, 2013

 

          Time:                  4:00 – 6:00 PM PST

 

  Where:                 Temple Beth Zion Beth Israel

                        300 S 18th St

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

Family:    Immediate Family is welcome (Parents, Children, Spouses & Siblings)

 

 

Masters Update - June 18, 2013

Hello everyone,

Todd Lewis here, and I am one of the 21 players that proudly makes up Team USA's Masters Hockey Team in the 19th Maccabiah Games in Israel.  We no doubt have a great group of guys that has been assembled to represent our country and battle for the gold medal against national teams from Canada, Russia, and Israel.  In terms of the geographical composition of our team, we have guys that hail from 11 different states, which include the following:

Pennsylvania - 5

New York - 4

Illinois - 4 (including Head Coach)

Florida - 3

Arizona - 1

California - 1

Connecticut - 1

Indiana - 1

Maryland - 1

Massachusetts - 1

At this point, we have come together as a group several times.  Our first gathering was a training camp in Philadelphia back in March with a subsequent trip back to Philadelphia in April to play an exhibition game at the Wells Fargo Center just after the Flyers-Rangers game.  Both occasions have been great bonding opportunities for players and coaches to get to know one another on and off the ice.  Furthermore, the team is preparing to head to South Bend, Indiana, this weekend, for one final training camp before we leave for Israel in a few weeks to officially commence our quest to bring the gold back to the U.S.

There is an anticipation and build up of excitement amongst the team to pull on that USA jersey and represent our country in a sport that we collectively have an extreme passion for.  There is no doubt that this will be one incredible, unique experience in which we will all remember for the rest of our lives. 

On behalf of our entire Masters team, we wish the best of luck to the other two USA hockey teams - Juniors and Open - as well as all other USA teams & athletes vying in their own quest for gold at the 2013 Maccabiah Games!  Check back here for updates on the progress of our pre-tournament training and the tournament itself.  Thanks for checking in!

Ice Hockey REGS

1 19 th Maccabiah Games


Last Update 4-27-13
1. Organization




The Ice Hockey Committee to the 19th Maccabiah will be responsible for the Ice Hockey competitions of the 19th Maccabiah, subject to the approval of the Sport Department.

a. The Ice Hockey competitions will be conducted according to the rules of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) with the exception of a no body checking rule in all Masters games (see Section 6 below for more details). Participation in the competition is open to any player who has been duly registered with Organizing Committee of the 19th Maccabiah, and was issue with a participant card..

b. Each team for the Ice Hockey competitions may consist of a total of 22 players. This must include a minimum of two goalies dressed for every game. Teams may bring and dress additional goalies but may not exceed the 22 player maximum. There will be no alternates or additional players permitted.

c. Each team must bring two sets of game shirts in different colors to each game.
2. Venues and times


a. The venues and times of the Ice Hockey competitions will be determined by the Sport Department and the Ice Hockey Committee for the 19th Maccabiah, and teams will be notified accordingly.

b. All games (Junior, Open, and Masters) will consist of 3 periods of 20 minutes each in duration.

c. For games in which a winner must be determined (semifinals, bronze, and gold medal games) a sudden death overtime period will be played and if no goal is scored, a game winning shots (GWS) competition will be held. The specific format for overtime sessions and the game winning shots procedures will be provided to teams in advance of the tournament.

d. The games will be played with pucks as specified in the International Rules and Regulations.
3. System of competition


SYSTEM A: With the participation of 3 teams;

a. The competitions will be played on a league basis of a double round robin.

b. Teams will be classified according to their achievements with two points awarded for wins, one point for ties, and 0 points for losses.

c. The first two teams in the league will compete for the title: "19th Maccabiah Champion".

SYSTEM B: With the participation of 4 or 5 teams;

a. The competitions will be played on a league basis of a single round robin.

b. Teams will be classified according to their achievements (see system A for point system).
c. There will be a semifinal round in which teams will be matched #1 vs. #4; and #2 vs. #3. The winners of the semifinal round will play for 1st place and the remaining two teams will play for 3rd place.

In the event that two teams are tied in points following the round robin competition, classification will be determined as follows: IceHockey regulations


2 19 th Maccabiah Games


Step 1 – Results between the tied teams in head-to-head games.

Step 2 -- Goal differential in games played between the tied teams (only applies in double round robin format).

Step 3 – Fewest numbers of goals allowed in round robin competition.

Step 4 – Fewest numbers of goals allowed against teams in rank order of finish.

Step 5 – In the event that teams remain tied, a coin toss will be held to determine finals classification.

In the event of tie in points between three or more teams, classification will be determined by creating a sub-group amongst the tied teams. The tie-breaking process outlined above will be applied until one team is eliminated at which time the remaining teams will be classified by again applying the above steps in order.
4. Referees


The Ice Hockey Committee will ask the participating teams to select a Referees’ Committee, from abroad which in turn will appoint the referees of the competition (minimum of 3 from Canada + 3 from the USA). A one referee, two linesmen system will be used for all Juniors and Open games. A two-person system will be used for all Masters games.
5. Equipment


The IIHF rule book will serve as the basis for all equipment related requirements with the exception of the following. All players participating in the Junior level competition will be required to wear full face protection as specified by the IIHF. All players in the Open and Masters competition will, at a minimum, be required to wear IIHF approved half-shield facial protection.
6. No-Checking Rule for Masters


In the Masters competiton, body check is not permitted in any area of the ice. Body checking will be deemed to have occurred when a player’s intent is to gain possession of the puck by separating the puck carrier from the puck with a distinct and definable moment of impact. Angling a player is permissible. Angling is a legal skill used to influence the puck carrier to a place where the player must stop due to a player’s body position. Incidental contact, when two players collie unintentionally may also occur.

Penalty for body checking – A minor, major, or disqualification, at the discretion of the referee.
7. General


a. These regulations are but one part of the complete 19th Maccabiah Regulations, and must be read along with the instructions found in "Basic Regulations and Disciplinary Procedures".


b. In the event of a discrepancy between the regulations written here and those appearing in the "Basic Regulations", the regulations written here will apply and be binding.

2009 trip

Players-this is the trip that helped bring ice hockey back!  Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebBjEm4Jp7g