Some the best moments about being a Martlet, aren't about all the wins and losses or all the intense workouts/practices we have each week - its about hanging out with each other on the long bus rides, or studying together during are limited amount of "free" time, or going for breakfast at Cora's as a pre-game meal.
This road trip started off with the usual, quiet back of the bus studying/sleeping (damn them 5th years with no work... ever!). The bus ride there is always more calm and relaxed. It's after the game that the laughs start to roll. Like how we all get onto the bus wearing our dress clothes (game attire) and instantly change into sweatpants for the ride. But this time, we were driving through busy streets downtown and everyone on the sidewalks could see in. One old man 100% caught a glimpse of us changing as he smiled and gave us a friendly (or creepy..) wave.
Then there was the time we unloaded the entire bus thinking we had made reservations at that hotel... While the coaches made phone calls and discussed inside we were all impatiently and tired waiting outside in the cold. That's when Ferr came up with the idea to unfold the physio table and take a nap on it while we waited.
Only sometimes are we allowed to watch a movie on the way home. This weekend was one of those times, and the classic Ditry Dancing was selected. We even had our own dirty dancer in the aisle of the bus as the credits were shown. Speaking of bus aisles, another one of our road-trip rituals is playing the "model game". The model game is where one lucky teammate is selected to walk the aisle like a runway while giving us multiple answers for the question we had assigned them. For example, Types of bagels, or Things you can do when you're 30. Hahaha always a good time!
We're only just 2 months into our season and we've already shared so many laughs. I look forward to the many more to come.
Keep your stick on the ice,
#9
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Dartmouth and Harvard Weekend.
This past weekend, we travelled down to States in our last sleep-over trip of the semester. We were to be facing two very prestigious schools, and very good hockey teams: Dartmouth College and Harvard University. Every year we face-off against them and every year I still can't believe their school buildings, campuses, and facilities. No wonder it cost a fortune to attend there...
On friday night we faced the Dartmouth Big Green. After a slow start to the game, we finally started to get into our groove and scored two nice goals to tie the game at two. We moved the puck very well and had many more opportunities to score. It's too bad that we just couldn't finish around the net, because eventually it was the Big Green that got the go-ahead goal and hold on for the win.
On Saturday we re-focused and were ready to play the Harvard Crimson. After a delicious (not to mention, paid by McGill athletics) meal at The Chateau we bussed to the rink. It is always such a site when enter the campus. There are always so many sporting events taking place, and so many locals come out to show their support. This weekend there was a regatta and the shores of the small river were packed with friends and family. There was also a football game going on. Their stadium is huge! Reminds me of the coliseum in Rome. Its all made out of stone/cement and all along the bottom there are these big tall arch ways.
As soon as the game started, it seems as though we were on the power play for 90% of the time. After a scoreless first period, we were able to capitalize on one of our power-plays and make it 1-0 for the visitors. Unfortunately, the Crimson got that one back at the beginning of the third period. They would go to add an empty-netter to to make it 3-1.
Although, it was not a winning weekend, we did learn some things. The reason why we go down to States and play so many Ivy league schools to get some good competition, realize what and where we need to improve on. Then we go home work hard on those things during practice and implement them into our regular season games, and every other game for that fact.
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
If You Like Then You Shoulda Put A Ring On It!
This past weekend was Homecoming/ Alumni weekend at McGill, and what a successful weekend for the Martlet hockey team.
Friday, October 14th, we started the day off by volunteering to direct traffic at the Leacock luncheon. The Leacock luncheon is a lunch for past graduates, staff and friends to come together in honor of professor Stephen Leacock and share some laughs. The luncheon is held at one of the enormous, maze-like hotels in downtown Montreal. That's where we came in. Small groups of us were located throughout the hotel pointing the older crowd in the right direction. Everyone was so polite and nice. It was amusing to hear some of their stories too.
Friday night, we head over the mountain to take on the University of Montreal in their home opener. It was ironic how we rushed so much to get to the rink on time (our bus was late) and when we got there we found out the game was going to be delayed because the linesmen (or linsewomen) were stuck in traffic. We didn't let the wait get us off our game. We came out flying, and silenced the crowd beating them 6 - 1.
On Sunday, friends, family, past players, and supporters of McGill hockey all came out to watch our home game against Ottawa. Before the drop of the puck, there was a special ceremony revealing last years championship banner, as well as recognizing coach Peter Smith's 300th win behind the bench. The game started off a bit slow with the score still tied at 0-0 after the first period. The pace picked up in the second and third period and we pulled away from Ottawa. The final score was 3-0 for the home team showing off their new, classy, uniforms.
Friday night, we head over the mountain to take on the University of Montreal in their home opener. It was ironic how we rushed so much to get to the rink on time (our bus was late) and when we got there we found out the game was going to be delayed because the linesmen (or linsewomen) were stuck in traffic. We didn't let the wait get us off our game. We came out flying, and silenced the crowd beating them 6 - 1.
On Sunday, friends, family, past players, and supporters of McGill hockey all came out to watch our home game against Ottawa. Before the drop of the puck, there was a special ceremony revealing last years championship banner, as well as recognizing coach Peter Smith's 300th win behind the bench. The game started off a bit slow with the score still tied at 0-0 after the first period. The pace picked up in the second and third period and we pulled away from Ottawa. The final score was 3-0 for the home team showing off their new, classy, uniforms.
Post game celebrations were held in the lounge, where family, friends, and alumni were invited to grab some dinner with us. The main reason for this was to celebrate the success of the 2010-2011 Martlet hockey team who were last years National Champions. As champions, each player, and staff receive gorgeous gold championship rings with diamonds!! It was an amazing feeling to open the box with all my other teammates, in front of our families, and alumni. It is something I will cherish for many years to come.
If we keep working hard, who knows what could happen this year.
Tuesday, 11 October 2011
Season Opener! Martlets Sting Concordia
Friday October 11th was an exciting day for everyone in the Martlet dressing room. It was our first game of the regular season. Although we have played a few games already, they were all NCAA teams from the United States. This time we got to get a taste of our own league, as the cross-town rivals visited the McConnell Arena.
The McGill Martlets have held a very good record against Concordia in the past, and this one just added to the count making the total 39 consecutive victories. Despite battling penalty issues early in the opening minutes, McGill opened the scoring with two power play markers by Oles and Saunders. The score was then cut in half when Concordia scored their first of 5 goals over the duration of the game. Freshman, Cagianos added one more goal for the white team as the Martlets headed to the dressing after the first period leading 3-1. The Martlets light the lamp twice in the second period and led the Stingers 3-1 at the second intermission. The Martlets then added two more goals in the third to seal the victory, making the final score 7-5. McGill out shot Concordia 44-18.
Five different Martlets contributed to the goals, including Oles (2), Saunders (2), Chartrand, Cagianos, and Heydra-Clement.
What a great start to the Thanksgiving weekend! The we now have three days off to enjoy with family and friends before we hit the ice again in preparation for Alumni weekend at McGill. The McGill Martlets face University of Montreal on Friday, and Ottawa University on Sunday.
Stay Tuned!
#9
The McGill Martlets have held a very good record against Concordia in the past, and this one just added to the count making the total 39 consecutive victories. Despite battling penalty issues early in the opening minutes, McGill opened the scoring with two power play markers by Oles and Saunders. The score was then cut in half when Concordia scored their first of 5 goals over the duration of the game. Freshman, Cagianos added one more goal for the white team as the Martlets headed to the dressing after the first period leading 3-1. The Martlets light the lamp twice in the second period and led the Stingers 3-1 at the second intermission. The Martlets then added two more goals in the third to seal the victory, making the final score 7-5. McGill out shot Concordia 44-18.
Five different Martlets contributed to the goals, including Oles (2), Saunders (2), Chartrand, Cagianos, and Heydra-Clement.
What a great start to the Thanksgiving weekend! The we now have three days off to enjoy with family and friends before we hit the ice again in preparation for Alumni weekend at McGill. The McGill Martlets face University of Montreal on Friday, and Ottawa University on Sunday.
Stay Tuned!
#9
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