The QRD CrossFit Belleville Bantams played host to a team that
has been in the making for over 5 years to develop the skill sets and Team Chemistry….the
WSU50 Flying Fathers. This team is coached by a distinguished man who has
travelled all parts of North America, spent some time in Mexico and has had to battle
harder than most could possibly even imagine away from the rink. It was his “fight”
and “will” and his inspiration, dedication and courage that motivated the WSU50
Flying Fathers when they visited the RCAF rink on December 21 to face the QRD
CrossFit Belleville Bantams.
The Coaches message was lost or forgotten by the older and sometimes forgetful WSU50 Flying Fathers as it was a long walk from the dressing room to the ice surface, not to mention the warm up was 15 minutes long. By this time most had even forgotten the reason why they were on the ice and who they were playing.
The younger and faster QRD Bantams came out strong and took the early lead, they were able to create their plays against the older squad who seemed dazed and confused for the most part as there wasn’t a flow to the WSU50’s game. The QRD Bantams carried the play, executed passes, broke out of their end with speed and sometimes were skating circles around their slower opponent. This was a good thing for the Bantams but as it sometimes happens in the ETA Hockey games, the Bantams became complacent with their work effort and execution thus allowing the WSU50 team to “push-back” or maybe it was “slash-back”, hold and a little of interference that allowed this to occur.
The WSU50’s coach needed to remind his players (seemingly before and after each shift) the plays that were drawn up in the dressing room and the countless practices all over Eastern Ontario. Finally after the A535 kicked in and finally warmed up the aging muscles, the experience and calmness set in as directed by the coach, then the WSU50 Flying Fathers soon took the game over before the halfway portion of the game.
Now that the WSU50 team had taken over the games’ play, it was time to illustrate to the youngsters in a real game situation/scenario how the puck still moves faster when passed, then it is when skated, how 5 teammates playing on the same page will outperform 5 players on the ice that are not.
In the end the cup went to the visiting team but it was the Bantams that would be treated to off ice food and gifts as they all sported their new QRD Red Devils personalized hats. It was a fun night for all and a special thanks to the Coaches, Managers and parents for participating in the event.
Next action for the CrossFit Belleville Bantams will be a practice on Tuesday December 29th, January 1, then will play host again to the Whitby Wildcats on Saturday at the Wellness Center and will travel to Napanee for some retribution against the Richmond Hill Coyotes on Sunday.