USA Hockey Adult Classic in Charlotte - Day 1

Ahhh...Eagle River. Good memories.

As we have done the last few years, the Holes are once again competing in the USA Hockey Adult Classic tournament in Charlotte, NC. Indian Trail, more specifically (south-southeast of Charlotte). We wrapped up game one of our guaranteed three-game stint with a loss. We didn't play too badly, but we didn't have things running like the typically well-oiled machine that expected of the Ice Holes. After all, we did win this thing two years ago. Of course, we're not living in the past - I'm just sayin'...

This year's tournament team includes many of our "regulars" with a few bonus players. We're overrun with Dougs, for one thing. One of which is Buddha's brother, Doug (or Doug-o, or Sluggo) is joining us once again, along with Doug Thomas and Doug Ecklund of the Penguins in our Greensboro league. Along with the two Penguin Dougs, we have another Pens recruit, Mike Fierschnaller - their points leader. We're hoping he can provide us with some needed firepower. Also along for the ride is former Penguin, but oft Hole (at least on the travel teams), Pat Fillippa. We feel especially honored to have him on the trip, as he is celebrating his birthday on Sunday. Hopefully, we can help him celebrate by playing in the semifinals on Sunday morning.

The Fabulous Dewar Boys

Another new face is John Makar. He has played in the Holes system before (Old Holes, Winston-Salem training facility), but this is his first go with the travel team. He had a rough start - arriving late due to horrendous traffic, but he immediately made an impact, scoring one of only two goals the Holes managed to put up in the first game. Speaking of the first game, the final score was 5-2. We got off to a slow start, allowing 3 goals in the first period. Credit must be given to the other team, which was clearly the better team on the ice this evening. I'm hoping we'll get another shot at them, maybe in the finals on Sunday - when we celebrate Pat's birthday.

Here are some shots of us licking our wounds in the rink's bar:

Waiting for the comp pizza and wings

Talkin' dirt with the Goal Diggers - our gal pals from Greensboro

Doug, Pat, and Mike doing their best to finish off the free beer

Meanwhile, Scott, Adam, and Jason were working on a scouting report for our next game

A Jim sandwich, with two of our favorite Goal Diggers, Cynthia and Mary

Yours truly and my Goal Digger wife