Friday, we played Italy. It was a much tighter game then the
Swiss game although we didn’t do ourselves any favours. Our first half wasn’t
great so it was tight at a crucial point in the 3rd quarter at 5-5.
Then we managed to turn it on and pulled away to win it 8-5. I finished with
another 2 goals and 2 assists. First goal was a neat fast break. I was stuck on
d when the ball turned over. Goalie Ian picked up the bill and hit me mid
stride as I broke across centre. I was in full sprint as I turned towards the
goal. I kept going, looking to dish as the play turned into a 2 on 1. At this
point, I knew I was heading for goal the entire way when the defensemen didn’t
come my way. I threw a fake and
hesitated only in the slightest before slipping the ball in the bottom corner. My
second goal was sort of a key goal…. if I do say so myself. It was the goal
that broke the tie at 5. I was stuck playing d once again when Bobby snagged a
loose ball. I broke away up the field as Bobby carried the ball across centre.
The play turned into a fast break and he dished to me as the defender slide to
him. I carried around my defender, looked pass then skipped it into the top
corner, back against the grain from about 8 yards out.
All in all I think it was a good experience for the team.
Despite the slow start, it’s never a bad thing to learn how to win when the
game is tight. It was only round robin group play, but it helps to settle the
nerves when the games get closer and more important later on (foreshadowing? I
think so). I also happened to grab man of the match and the game ball. Now I
think that’s pretty special.
Friday was also the first day I saw my pops and Uncle Jere.
They actually arrived on Thursday, but they missed the Swiss game and were too
jet bagged to come out to my neighbourhood in Amsterveen. So I went back into
town after the post game ice bath on Friday. I was great to see them and I was
fortunate enough to check out their middle-aged digs. A houseboat, not a
hostel. It’s actually the coolest thing. It’s an old recovered boat from World
War Two that was converted and docked in the canal. We had some fresh pasta for
dinner with pesto sauce. It was tasty. After some tea, I caught the tram back
to the hotel, which is surprisingly far from the city centre. The trip took
about an hour.
Saturday was the game against Spain. It was actually quite
an ugly game for the Scots despite the 16-2 win. We had another slow start and
despite scoring, just didn’t seem to want to run our systems. It was kind of
like playing Idaho. Everyone wanted to boost their own stats which ironically
enough, which probably increase on their own as a result of a properly run
offense. I finished the game with 2 goals and 3 assists. The first goal was a
right handed shot down the alley. I was lined up on the wing on the face off
and Muffin managed to win the draw forward. I swopped in and snagged the ball
on the run. I took off down the field and with a slight stutter I had a lane
down the right side of the net. I took a shot and put it bottom corner, far side.
Low and away baby, low and away. The
second was a drive from the top right, I drove down the alley, spun back and
took a lefty shot on the run.
Coach wasn’t too pleased with the effort, but we remained
undefeated and got some possibly advantageous goal support. In these kinds of
tournaments, it never hurts to have a large goal differential. Of course, you
have to straddle the line, of embarrassment and strategy.
Sunday was the Belgium game. We won 14-0. The first shutout
I’ve been apart of in a field lacrosse game. A shout out to Ian for that one.
It was a much better effort for us as a team. We rain everything quite well
actually and even got to the point of waiting for the perfect shot (ie. Running
every play before looking to goal). I had another 2 goals and 2 assists. The
first was a dodge from the side. I spun a bunch of times and managed to get a
lefty shot away. The second was a man up goal. We actually the turned the ball
over initially, but we got it back on the ride. I had a lane when I received
the ball and ripped a shot from about 12 yards out. Dead top corner. After the Belgium game, we just hung out at the
hotel. I took a nap, had some dinner, then watched a movie with Thunder.
Monday was the biggest game of the tournament for us at that
point and golly, it sure was a duzy. We played the Czechs and they’re a pretty
good team. Apparently they play a lot of box there and that is certainly
reflected in their style of play. They love to draw a dump. Drive, pull a
double, and find the open man in tight. As a result, their man up was pretty
deadly. They managed to capitalize on every little over commitment. And in a
game reffed the way this one was, we certainly had our work cut out for us. At
points in the game, it seemed the refs were trying to lose us the game. The
second quarter ended with 4 straight man ups for the Czechs and 4 straight
goals. We were headed to the 3rd quarter down by 4. Of course, that
didn’t faze us and we came out all fired up. I got my goal on the man up in the
3rd quarter. Jesse hit me sneaking around the cage down on my left
side. He drew his man and dumped to me and all I had to do was turn and shoot. We
eventually managed to even the score at 10 and then we traded goals to even
ourselves up at 11. Then the game got exciting. It was a very tense 4th
quarter and when they scored late we got scared. But no worry, we drew up a
play, and Matt scored on the man up to tie the game up late (Got the 2nd
hockey assist- count it!). To overtime we were going. The International rules
state that we were to play two four-minute halves followed by a sudden death
period if necessary. And necessary it was not. They scored first, early in the
period, but we tied it up before the first was over on a set play and just an all
out snipe by Jesse. We traded possessions in the second period and as time was
winding down, we held the ball in the Czech end. We passed it around and I
personally, was looking for the hot stick (not my day today). We found Jesse
who took his man, and wired an under shot. Advantage Scotland with about 30
seconds to go. We managed to hold off a half surge at the end to take the win
and launch ourselves into the Quarter Finals.
It was just a hell of a game for us. For many guys, it was
their first overtime game and one of the most important. I love these types of
games. It just feels more rewarding then winning 14-0. It’s a great feeling to
know that you could of lost, but you didn’t. We came together as team, to pull
out the victory.
That night was quite relaxing. It was a two-beer night so we
were allowed to loosen up a little bit. A few guys went into town. I definitely
thought about it, but I was too tired. And a good call that turned out to be.
Thunder and I watched inception with Marc and Rhys. I fell asleep. Then we
watched Warrior and I fell asleep again. So no red light district for me on
this night.
Iain
Photos of the Day/ Week:
Dad.
I do love getting my picture taken.
Can you tell we were stoked we beat the Czechs?
Songs of the Day/Week:
The Coral- Dreaming of You
I listened to this as I put on my ankle braces and my cleats- pre game. An awesome song that Jack brought to my attention.
James Carrington- Ache
There was a holocaust memorial near our hotel. As I was walking by on my way back one night, this song came on on my ipod. It's not incredibly relevant, but the overall tone.
Bon Iver- Skinny Love
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