The Winnipeg ICE will take a much needed break for the holidays, as the team is off for the next 5 days. The ICE closed out the the 2012 portion of the MFMHL schedule on Friday night at home (kind of...the game was a Maginot instead of the usual home ice at Notre Dame) with a disappointing 5-0 loss to Eastman. The game was decided in an 8 minute span where the ICE took 2 penalties and allowed 4 goals near the end of the first period. While the teams battled the rest of the way, Eastman managed to score 1 more time before the final buzzer, but the ICE did not. It was a disappointing way to close out 2012, after skating to a spirited 1-1 tie with the Eastman selects 8 days earlier.
Sunday night was a lot more fun for the Winnipeg ICE family, as parents, siblings, and friends joined the team on the ice for the holiday game. There was a great turn out by the parents/siblings, as a very full bench battled for 90 minutes with the ICE. While the official score wasn't kept on the scoreboard, it seemed like the ICE found a way to beat their parents, despite falling behind early. The score didn't matter on this night, as it was simply just great fun to have everyone out together.
The team exchanged secret Santa presents before the game, and handed out very thoughtful gifts to the coaches and the manager. The next 5 days will be longest time apart for this team since forming in early September, but they will reconvene on the 28th for the first of two practices before the team leaves for a tournament in Moncton, NB. The players and coaches are very excited to leave on January 2nd, and compete in the DQ Tournament in Moncton. The ICE will practice on January 3rd at the University of Moncton, before opening the tournament on January 4th. All game stories will be posted on winnipegice.net and on this blog.
From everyone associated with the Winnipeg ICE AAA Midget hockey team, we wish you a very happy and safe holiday season!
~Coach
