Santa Rosa

The boys played a great game against the Flyers this weekend. The final score was 10-1 but I believe that the shots on goal were something like 50-20. The Santa Rosa goalie did a great job…eventually the boys figured him out and started getting the puck past him.

Captains for this game were Jordan, Aidan and Tyler. All three of them set a great example and worked really hard. No one worked harder than Dennis Franklin who took home the Hardhat for being the hardest working man on the ice. Bryan, Gio and RJ earned 3 stars awards for their hard work and determination.

Cross started us out in goal and made some great stops against the Flyers biggest scorers. The Flyers turned up the pressure at the end of the game and Dustin stood in there and kept them from getting back in the game.

Here are the stats:

#19 2 Goals
#10 2 Goals
#27 3 Goals 1 Assist
#88 1 Goal 2 Assist
#15 1 Goal 2 Assist
#16 1 Goal 1 Assist
#63 1 Assist

What I think is the most important is the number of assists. They were coming to the bench bragging about making the pass that set up the goal. I was talking to another SCVHA coach this morning and this is what he said….”That type of unselfish play feeds the team”. This is a great team. There isn't single individual that runs the ice or carries the team. They play well as a unit and they work really well together. I am very proud of where they are and the progress they are making.

Cheers,
Kevin

5-5 Tie...Parent Meeting & Tonights Practice

Well what can I say about the game with San Jose? We asked the kids to focus on 3 things: intensity, positional play and hustle. I felt they did a great job at all three and they played a terrific game from start to finish.

We recognized 4 players after the game...3 stars and "The Hardest Working Man...aka the Hardhat Award" Cole, Aaron and Cameron won the 3 stars and Tyler Starbeck won the the Hardhat for turning in a solid solid effort on both sides of the puck.

You should all be very proud of your players they played great.


Thank you to the parents who were able to make our parent meeting tonight. I will work with Michelle to try an organize more of these through out the season. I think it is helpful to get everyone together from time to time. Next time I suggest that we meet at The Sonoma Chicken Coop....I heard Blackhawks eat for free!!! So in case you missed the meeting here's the recap:

* Be on time to dryland before games.
* Wear your Blackhawks tee shirts and or warm ups to games.
* We're are going to LA over MLK, staying home for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
* We are going to use our funds left over from summer for clinics with Jamie Baker.
* Keep all comments about our kids, other kids, other coaches and officials positive. We always take the high road. You will hear plenty of comments from other teams, parents etc. Just keep it positive or ignore them.


Tonight's practice was probably the best practice we have had all season...I know I already said that but that was then and this is now. The boys worked hard, they listened and they are really starting to get fundamentals of the game down. We are running some pretty complex drills this season which is a departure from my normal plan...however...the boys have surprised me with their ability to learn and execute some of these very very complex drills. I am really excited because the more sophisticated drills they are able the master the more sophisticated hockey they are able to play. We have already begun to see this with their ability to break the puck out as a team.

Thanks again parents for all your help, dedication and commitment. I am looking forward to the rest of this season.

Cheers,
Coach

First Game

Today the Blackhawk Mites faced our friends from the north the Tri Valley Bluedevils. This was our first real test and unfortunately we came up 1 goal short in a very very close game.

The Unofficial Shot Clock had it as TV 18 SC 12....I felt like we had better scoring chances. The Tri Valley goalie played a great game and in the end I think that was the deal breaker. Cross played a great game too making some great stops and shutting down a couple of odd man rushes and a solo break away. Not bad for a kid who was sick with the flu.

The big difference between the two teams was intensity. Having the benefit of playing four games already the Bluedevils started the game out with more intensity than the us. As the game went on the boys picked up the pace and the intensity and this is reflected in the box scores:

1st 3 to 1
2nd 1 to 1
3rd 1 to 2


We have another game tomorrow against the SF Sabrecats Squirt B team. Then it's off to the races with the regular season starting next Sunday at 7 am against the SJ Jr Sharks.

Today was fun and I hope the boys had fun. We'll see you tomorrow at the rink.

Thanks,
Kevin