Day One in the Books!
What a great day one of the TORHS 2 Hot 4 Ice Steel City Winter Cup
Ever since joining the TORHS 2 Hot 4 Ice crew after nationals in Aston, PA last year, I have been super excited to be a part of my first Winter Cup. Arriving in the Steel City only made my excitement more.
Seeing downtown Pittsburgh was really something and I have to say it is really a beautiful city. I was already riding on my high horse before I even got to the rink and then when I walked into Hot Shots Area, I was thrilled for the start of the Tournament. I love the set up for the rinks with them being so close to each other virtually giving players, parents and fans, a great opportunity to see both games going on at once. After setting up all the equipment and the players started to roll in, I knew it was almost time for the start of the Winter Cup!
My roller hockey withdraws were finally being cured! Even though I have had a great pleasure to watch and broadcast AHL hockey on a daily basis as a broadcaster for the Adirondack Flames in Glens Falls, NY this season, roller hockey was missing from my life and at this point I could not hold back a big smile.
In addition to seeing so many familiar faces of great people I have not seen since Aston, the day was made better by all the great games right off the bat and all night for that matter. Doing video work here at the Winter Cup, it’s pretty much my job to watch as many of the games as I can, granted it is through a camera viewfinder, there is nothing better than just watching the greatest sport on earth.The players of all ages made my job of putting the day one highlight reel together very hard because of all the great saves, goals and plays we had on opening day in Pittsburgh.
The game of the day in my mind was the Alkali Pama vs. Revision Inferno in the Pro Division. After both teams traded late powerplay goals, we saw our first shootout of the Winter Cup, and it did not disappoint. I had a front row seat as I stepped out on the floor and took in the action with my camera in hand from inside the refs circle at center court. The first three shooters could not decide a victor even with some great goals by both teams, so we headed to sudden death.
Finally in the third round of sudden death Cody Kettler went top shelf to take the lead and Zach Lane shut the door on the ensuing shot to seal the victory over the howntown Inferno for Alakli Pama. All in all, Pat Lee had the sickest goal of the shootout as he dazzled the packed stands when he got half way into the Pavel Datsyuk back hand toe drag move when he sled the puck softly five-hole getting a roar out the crowd, players and even refs. Don’t worry, in cased you missed it you can check it out on the day one highlight reel in slow motion.
I sure hope the rest of the tournament is as exciting as day one and I sure am glad we had a weekend off in Adirondack so I could be a part of this great event, not to mention being given this opportunity by Joe and Ron plus all the support from John and George. If you see the guy walking around with a big camera come say hi as I’m still trying to get to know all the great people in the roller hockey family. Thanks and best wishes for you at the rest of the tournament!
Sincerely, Trefty