We arose and ate at the hotel before heading to the rink for our 8am game against the Czech team without any events. Little did we know of the drama ahead.
Against the Czesch team, the boys played much better but spent too much time in the penalty box as the questionable refing continued. It seemed Alex Rivers couldn't look at anyone without being sent to the box. After a similar result a very unhappy hockey team met in the locker room and vented a bit.
Next was a team lunch at a restaurant near the rink. Everyone devoured their pasta and put the morning game behind them.
Now, on to game 3 against an Austrian team that had 6 professional players on it from the Red Bill team in the Austrian league. This game was not a contest as our boys saw a level of play that they haven't seen. They couldn't even get mad about it so they made the best of it.
But the real problem was in the locker room. Some time during the 2nd period, someone broke into the locker room and stole things from several of the players. They got wallets, ID's, cash, credit cards, iPods, camera's and an iPhone stolen. It was a tough pill to swallow for everyone. Even our German hosts.
Police reports were taken and interviews were given and emotions were running high. Then after things settled down and people started to relax a bit, everyone decided to start enjoying the trip. Let's make the best of it became our montra.
After the hockey was over, the kids went with their bilet familes again and most of the adults returned to the hotel for a quiet night. Though some went to the Christmas village to shop for some local crafts before calling it a night.
Everone is looking forward to a much less stressful day of just being a tourist tomorrow.
Cheers,
Roger
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Device
Sunday, December 30, 2007
DAY 3: Let the hockey begin
We arose to be welcomed by 2 buses (we are quick learners). We ate and piled onto the buses and headed for the train to Berlin. Being experts by now, we had no problems loading the gear and finding our own seats.
We arrived in Berlin, found our bus and once again crammed in for the trip across the city to the rink. We arrived 30 minutes before game time. dropped the coaches and players at the rink and the adults went on to the hotel.
After dropping the luggage at the hotel, it was back to the rink. At the rink, the game was just gettin started and the boys looked like you would expect after 2 days of international travel. They had travel legs as the Ice Bears defeated our boys.
After the game, we checked into our hotel rooms and the boys met their bilet families before eveyone ate and went to see a German league professional hockey game.
Then it was off to the hotel for another nights sleep for the adults and to the bilet homes for the kids.
Cheers,
Roger
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Device
We arrived in Berlin, found our bus and once again crammed in for the trip across the city to the rink. We arrived 30 minutes before game time. dropped the coaches and players at the rink and the adults went on to the hotel.
After dropping the luggage at the hotel, it was back to the rink. At the rink, the game was just gettin started and the boys looked like you would expect after 2 days of international travel. They had travel legs as the Ice Bears defeated our boys.
After the game, we checked into our hotel rooms and the boys met their bilet families before eveyone ate and went to see a German league professional hockey game.
Then it was off to the hotel for another nights sleep for the adults and to the bilet homes for the kids.
Cheers,
Roger
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Device
DAYS 1 and 2: Planes, Trains and Automobiles
DAYS 1 and 2: Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Well, buses! After many months of waiting and anticipation, the team arrived at RDU all ready for the long trip. Everyone arrived on time and boarded without incident.
It was a long flight filled with books, movies and iPods. Nobody was allowed to sleep thanks to a certain Mr. Rivers (Sr.), who's gift for gab was on display.
Upon arrival, the guys were all happy to see that their gear had made it safely. After collecting their gear everyone gathered at the train station for the trip to the castle. This is when the parents all realized exacly how difficult piling over 60 people and 130 bags onto a train in 2 minutes can be. Thankfully, everything and everyone made it much to the delight of many German travelers. ;-). Walter White was nearly assaulted for sitting in someones seat but we eventually figured out the ICE train's seating arrangements .
After two train rides, it was time for the bus ride. Yes, one bus. This is when the Lightning family really go close. After almost 24 hours of travel, evey bag and person was jammed into the bus and off we went. Oh, that poor bus driver.
At last, we arrived at the castle and all was good. That is until we tried to eat. After everyone freshened up a bit, we all met in the 2 dining rooms for dinner. THREE hours later, we got our food. Nobody was happy about that but we made the best of it. They did serve wine and beers and we enjoyed that.
When the food arrived, we were delighted to find that it was delicious. Finally, after around 30 hours, 2 planes, 2 trains and 1 bus, we found what we were all looking for. Our beds.
Cheers,
Roger
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Device
Well, buses! After many months of waiting and anticipation, the team arrived at RDU all ready for the long trip. Everyone arrived on time and boarded without incident.
It was a long flight filled with books, movies and iPods. Nobody was allowed to sleep thanks to a certain Mr. Rivers (Sr.), who's gift for gab was on display.
Upon arrival, the guys were all happy to see that their gear had made it safely. After collecting their gear everyone gathered at the train station for the trip to the castle. This is when the parents all realized exacly how difficult piling over 60 people and 130 bags onto a train in 2 minutes can be. Thankfully, everything and everyone made it much to the delight of many German travelers. ;-). Walter White was nearly assaulted for sitting in someones seat but we eventually figured out the ICE train's seating arrangements .
After two train rides, it was time for the bus ride. Yes, one bus. This is when the Lightning family really go close. After almost 24 hours of travel, evey bag and person was jammed into the bus and off we went. Oh, that poor bus driver.
At last, we arrived at the castle and all was good. That is until we tried to eat. After everyone freshened up a bit, we all met in the 2 dining rooms for dinner. THREE hours later, we got our food. Nobody was happy about that but we made the best of it. They did serve wine and beers and we enjoyed that.
When the food arrived, we were delighted to find that it was delicious. Finally, after around 30 hours, 2 planes, 2 trains and 1 bus, we found what we were all looking for. Our beds.
Cheers,
Roger
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Device
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