Quebec 2010
AM- February 9, 2010
Members and families of the '97 Jr Pens Quebec team packing last minute items for the trip to Syracuse today. We depart this afternoon and finish the journey to Quebec tomorrow.
PM - February 9, 2010
Arrived in Syracuse safely. Kids played knee hockey at the hotel. Parents enjoyed some adult entertainment. Await final journey to Quebec tomorrow.
February 10, 2010
Arrived in Quebec about 5pm today. Less snow here than at home. Hotel is very nice and the kids are excited to be here. Met with Johnny D this evening to learn about the billet families and plans for the next couple days. The first exhibition game is tomorrow at 11:20 am against a team from England. The kids will spend their first night with the billet families tomorrow nignt. More to come tomorrow.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Played our first game today vs Angleterre (England). After 2 days on the bus the kids were ready for hockey. The Pens jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first period only to have Angleterre tie the game on a short handed goal in the second period. Both teams tallied in the third period. Despite several last minute opportunities the Pens could not find the back of the net and the game ended in a 2-2 tie.
Above: Coach Lemieux with some last minute instructions and Celebrating a goal!
The kids will meet and spend the night with their billet families for the first time tonight. We will pick them up in the morning and have a free day in Quebec tomorrow. Stay tuned for more!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Met the billet families this morning at the Colisuem and picked up the kids. The kids watched a couple "Cup" games and traded pins before coming back to the hotel. Today is a day to see the sites in and around Quebec. The weather is cooperating as it is not too cold and still less snow than Pittsburgh. The kids/ families will join the billet families for dinner this evening. Back on the ice tomorrow morning at 10:15 versus Prince Edward Island.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Happy Birthday Mrs Zappia!
Second game later this am vs Prince Edward Island. Yesterday was spent doing various activities in Quebec. Many of the kids had a blast playing hockey with the locals on an outdoor rink close the hotel. Some of the Dads got involved also. The kids are excited to do that again. Dinner with the billet families capped off the evening. Pictures to follow.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Happy Valentine's Day!
Sorry for the lack of info last pm. The Hotel internet crashed and thus no internet access. The kids played their second game against Prince Edward Island yesterday morning. It turned out to be a real battle. PEI scored the first goal to take a 1-0 lead early in the second period but the Pens came right back to tie the game 1-1. We thought we went up 2-1 after a battle in front of the net and multiple attempts to put in a rebound. The puck ended up in the net, however the goal was disallowed, apparently in after the whistle. PEI went up 2-1 on a power play goal but the Pens again came right back to tie it at 2-2. PEI went up 3-2 on another power play goal and despite a hard fought 3rd period the Pens were unable to find the back of the net. The game ended 4-2 with PEI scoring an empty net goal with little time left on the clock. It was a hard fought game against a tough team and hopefully will set the stage for today's cup game against the Moncton Hawks early this afternoon.
After the game, the kids again left with their billet families for the rest of the day and night. Many were getting together with their families and children to play pond hockey which has become one of the kids favorite activities. They think the Canadian kids are very lucky to be able to do this every day. The adults were back to the hotel for dinner in many of the great restaurants nearby, then took in the parade and Carnavale celebration. It was quite cold watching the parade with "caribou" (a local drink poured at the outdoor ice bars) helping warm the spirits.
Stay tuned for more later today including an update on today's game.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Today was our first cup game. The kids had a great experience playing at the Pespsi Coliseum in front of about 8,000 people. After our team was announced, former Pittsburgh Penguin Philippe Boucher dropped the first puck and the first game vs the Moncton Hawks was underway. The Pens received a very warm welcome and are popular with the Canadian fans. Despite the fact that Moncton was a Canadian team, the Pens seemed to be the fan favorite. The teams were evenly matched and the game was hard fought. The Hawks led 2-0 after 2 periods but the Pens came roaring back with 2 goals early in the 3rd period to tie the score at 2-2. We seemed to have the momentum until the Hawks took a 3-2 lead on a power play goal. Again, despite some quality chances the Pens could not find the back of the net and the game ended with the Hawks victorious by a score of 3-2. Both teams got together after the game and raised their sticks to an appreciative crowd. Win or lose, an experience the kids will never forget. . The kids went with the billet families when they left the Coliseum and most of the parents went to the billet family homes for dinner this evening. This afforded us an opportunity to get to know them. Many of these families have been taking in players for several years and are real Penguins fans with lots of Pens memorabilia at their homes. What a great evening. Our next game is tomorrow at 5:30 with the team to be announced. We pick up the kids at 8:30 tomorrow am to spend the day with us prior to the game.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
The Pens played their second cup game last pm against the Lanaudiere Pioneers from Montreal. They turned out to be our toughest opponent yet and this game was a real battle. The Pens hung with the Pioneers being down by only a 3-2 score in the third period but the Pioneers went up 4-2 midway through the third period then scored two late goals to make it a 6-2 final. It was back with the billet families after the game and up early today for a game with the LA Jr Kings. Again the Pens played a strong game but just couldn't seem to find the back of the net on their chances and the Kings emerged victorious by a score of 3-1. Following the game, the majority of the team and parents visited the Ice Hotel near Quebec City which made for a nice afternoon. This evening the kids, parents and billet families are attending a Quebec Remparts game (Quebec's representative in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) which will showcase some future NHL players. It's back to the ice tomorrow when the Pens play a team from Nova Scotia.
To this point, it has been a wonderful experience for the kids and their families. The competition has been tough with the Pens playing in the AA bracket (the top of the 3 brackets which are AA, B and C). I think they have a new appreciation for "hockey in Canada" as well as what a great experience this tournament is and what it means to the Canadians. They have enjoyed the billet experience with many of the families attending our games and avidly supporting our team. Trading pins has been one of the highlights providing the kids with the opportunity to meet hockey players their age from all over the world. "Pond hockey" has been another favorite activity. The adults have enjoyed some non-hockey relaxation courtesy of some great restaurants, night clubs and "Caribou."
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Today the Pens played the Halifax Redwings (from the hometown of Sidney Crosby). They played for a mini version of the Stanley Cup. Again it was a hard fought, close game that ended up with the Redwings on top 4-2 including an empty net goal to seal the victory. After the game the kids spent the day doing activities with their billet families. Some enjoyed skiing at one of the local ski slopes. Our final game will be tomorrow against the Moncton Wildcats followed by their last night with billet families.
Friday, February 19, 2010
The Pens played their final game yesterday against the Moncton Wildcats and unfortunately suffered another close game loss. They spent the next day doing various activities in and around Quebec. Many spent a day at the tubing park with their friends and parents. Their last night with the billet families was Thursday night and they said their good-byes to the billets on Friday morning to begin packing for the trip home. Many of these kids and families developed relationships with the billets that will last long after the trip to Quebec ends. The bus ride home commenced about 5pm today with a stop in Syracuse, arriving in Pittsburgh on Saturday evening. What an experience! For all involved, one that will not soon be forgotten. For the kids, perhaps the hockey experience of a lifetime.
