USAHockey/Labatt Blue Classic in Columbus, OH

[joshy207 15]

My team, the Michigan Aces, is playing in the USA Hockey tourney in Columbus this weekend. Prenny207's on the squad too. We're playing Bronze 21+. Anyone else going to be there?

[ctaz 0]

There were whispers of us trying to put a team together, but I think it fell through. Best of luck. Have a good time.

[bheidepr 0]

I will be there...I think we are in the Novice group (even though I think almost everyone is 30+) ;)

[JGraz15 53]

Playing for the Drop In All Stars in the Silver Division

[joshy207 15]

I will be there...I think we are in the Novice group (even though I think almost everyone is 30+) ;)

What team?

Good luck and have fun, guys!

[bheidepr 0]

I will be there...I think we are in the Novice group (even though I think almost everyone is 30+) ;)

What team?

Good luck and have fun, guys!

I am told our name is FMHLers. How descriptive

Good Luck to you Josh! (since I dont play against you ;) )

[sc37 0]

I was hoping to play...but winds up you had to be 21. I'm a couple months shy of that.

[joshy207 15]

How did you guys do? We went 3-0 then lost to Old Time Hockey in the semi, 4-2. Great weekend though, we had a lot of fun.

[bheidepr 0]

we went 1-2, pretty good competition. most teams had more endurance than some of the older guys on the team, but overall it was a very well run tourney.

In novice, we played against a team with 1 guy who had the 9kO. They beat us like 6-1. After the game I asked him where he got it and I believe he said he had some friends at TopCat (?) and he wasnt an ice guy but played semi-pro inline. (novice? yeah right!)

We had a great time, facility was best I have used, and we already are talking about who is playing in it again next year ;)

(The ice was so smooth, I couldnt hold on to the puck for the like the first period.....it just went for days.....)

[joshy207 15]

Yeah, that is a very well-run tourney, and the rink and ice are very good. Wish the locker rooms were a little bigger--13 guys was a little tight--and the ice got pretty torn up by the third period, it was hard to keep the puck flat, but skating on that ice felt great. We're planning on returning again next year too.

[johnnysocko 0]

We played in the tournament and we're 0-3 in the novice division, but we had fun and played pretty even with the first two teams and then were run through 8-1.

Other than the obvious talent difference between us and the third team I felt like the matchups were pretty even.

Nice to hear the comments about the rink, Chiller North is my favorite rink. I live in Columbus and get to play there often.

Im curious of the other people who participated if they felt the teams were pretty evenly matched?

[epstud74 24]

We played in the tournament and we're 0-3 in the novice division, but we had fun and played pretty even with the first two teams and then were run through 8-1.

Other than the obvious talent difference between us and the third team I felt like the matchups were pretty even.

Nice to hear the comments about the rink, Chiller North is my favorite rink. I live in Columbus and get to play there often.

Im curious of the other people who participated if they felt the teams were pretty evenly matched?

Was this an all-Ohio tourney or what?

[johnnysocko 0]

I actually think it was just a "regional tournament" that anyone could play in. I just think that since its a travelling tournament, most teams are going to be from the state its in.

[bheidepr 0]

Im curious of the other people who participated if they felt the teams were pretty evenly matched?

I one guy who I mentioned earlier (no cage with the 9k0 on the Moose team in Novice) said he and another on his team played semi-pro inline....

In general I feel the other teams we played were pretty evenly matched with us.

[sc37 0]

I didn't play, but saw a few teams over at the Easton rink for the tourney. The ice sucked horribly, I was over there for practice. And I kinda laughed at all te No Alcohol signs all over the locker rooms, but also seeing all the beer cans piled up.

[johnnysocko 0]

Something about 3 cases per team made that happen....

[joshy207 15]

Im curious of the other people who participated if they felt the teams were pretty evenly matched?

We walked through our division (Bronze 21+ A Pool) pretty easily, winning 8-1, 6-1, and 10-3. The games were actually closer than the scores showed, all 3 teams we beat didn't quit and were battling to the very end. We played well and got some lucky breaks. Our semifinal was a great game.

It looked like the B Pool had some tougher competition, 4 of the 6 teams on that side were pretty evenly matched.

It's gotta be tough for tournament organizers to figure out what teams should be placed where. Unfortunately, "Gold", "Silver", and "Bronze" are a little vague, and especially in the Bronze division, you're going to see a wide variety of talent.

[hockeyplyr814 0]

Yeah, that is a very well-run tourney, and the rink and ice are very good. Wish the locker rooms were a little bigger--13 guys was a little tight--and the ice got pretty torn up by the third period, it was hard to keep the puck flat, but skating on that ice felt great. We're planning on returning again next year too.

Thats suprising to hear abvout the ice, I lived in Columbus for over16 years and have always hated that rink since it opened, the ice has always been soft and slow. And I know what you mean about the locker rooms, try fitting 18 skaters and 2 goalies in there, it gets rediculous.

[bheidepr 0]

ice has always been soft and slow.

That may be for you, but it was better than what we have back home....you have more selection to compare to :P :D

[Razr 2]

Next time something like this happens and a team needs a player... count me in. I'll drive to play some competitive hockey.