NARCh 2008

[RichardGraham]

Hey Folks,

I made it to San Jose about an hour ago and am trying to get my head around the amazing Silver Creek Sportsplex. You don't see many three-rink facilities dedicated to inline hockey, and all the praise for this building was definitely justified.

NARCh Pro Division scores thus far:

Tour St. Louis defeated LA Pama Cyclones, 5-3.

Revision Tour Vanquish knocked off the Mission Snipers, 6-3.

The Savage Wolves and Tour Homecare America tied, 4-4.

Send me some questions, and I'll try to answer them for ya!

[socalhockey]

Richard,
Can you post the rosters for the pro division teams? I'm sure people are interested in who's playing for who!

[pez_hockey18]

yea richard that would be great! socalhockey has a good point. i tried looking on narch's webiste but there is nothing.

[RichardGraham]

Hi socalhockey,

Apparently, that's one of the few things NARCh DOESN'T do. I will try and get as many of the names of the Pro Division players as possible.

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

The Squirt Platinum Division Championship was just held between the Mission Mafia '95 and the Tour O.C. Blades.

The Mafia struck first, to the theme from "The Godfather" at 9:38 of the first half. An apparent Mafia second goal was waved off as it was deflected in by a high stick, but a penalty to the Blades with 3:28 left in the half gave the Mafia a power play, and they scored just 19 seconds later to make it 2-0. Doug Jones announced the game from the scorer's table.

In the second half, the Mafia scored to take a 3-0 lead, then hit the crossbar on a shot that would have given them a near-insurmountable lead. While on a rush, a Mafia player took an ill-advised cross checking penalty in front of the O.C. Blades' net, and Brian Williams made him pay, scoring a power play goal to make it 3-1. With 2:41 left, Matthew O'Donnell roofed a backhander over the shoulder of the Mafia goaltender, making it 3-2, and giving the loud O.C. Blades' supporters something to cheer about. But time ran out on the Blades, and at the buzzer, Mafia players threw their sticks high into the air, chucked their gloves and helmets, and piled on top of their goaltender... literally. It's a bit surprising that he didn't suffocate. ;)

NARCh 2008 Squirt Platinum Division Champions = Mission Mafia '95.

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

The AKS Mission Empire just played the Tour Beemers in the Pro Division.

AKS took the lead at 11:18 of the first half, but the Beemers tied it up just 16 seconds later. By halftime, AKS had built a 3-1 lead, and early in the second half, went up 4-1. The Beemers halved that lead to 4-2, but that was as close as they'd get the rest of the way. AKS scored two more goals to win going away, 6-2.

[rhhof]

Trying to put that article...I still need a few names that I can add...

Players that have played in the youth divisions to pro and played all 15 NARCh years....

Also, Doug hinted toward a possible RHI reunion type 35 and over team...keep your eye out and get the story!!

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

Today is NARCh National Tournament Director Pat Weissinger's birthday. He says he's 21 but everyone knows he's lying. ;)

Right now, the Mission Syndicate, the defending NARCh Pro champions, are playing the Tour Mudcats and they're up 2-0 with 3:46 left to go in the first half. Their second goal was a speedy individual effort at 9:56.

The Syndicate's all-white uniforms -- with purple logo and elements -- look sharp, but with white skates, helmets and gloves, the players look a little bit like skating Q-Tips.

The Syndicate made it 3-0 after a Hail Mary pass bounced once and right onto the stick blade of the streaking forward; he deked and slid one past the Mudcats' goaltender.

"We used to call those passes, when the puck just dies at it lands, Scud missiles," said Randy Sappo, another NARCh tournament director.

At 9:54 of the second half, the Syndicate made it 4-0 after a three-on-one rush. Exactly three minutes later, at 6:54, the Syndicate went up 5-0.

With time running out, Tour got a four-on-two power play that was extended when Syndicate goalie Jamie Bufalino slashed Tour's Chad Seibel. (Risky move!) However, Tour was unable to capitalize, and Bufalino held on for a rare shutout in elite inline hockey play. The Syndicate wins, 5-0.

"The Mudcats have been under a cloud of injuries the past two years," said Ron Beilsten, "team general manager" of the Tour STL. "Last year it was Legget; this year it's Messina. They picked up Johnny Mac for speed, and he's got an injured hand."

[old hockey mom]

Hey Richard,

Do you have your Inline Hockey Central jersey on? I'd love to stop by and say hi. But being somewhat of a newbie, I don't think I would recognize you.

Thanks!!

[RichardGraham]

Hi old hockey mom,

Yep! I'm at a table next to Sport Injury Consultations, watching the Detroit Mission Stars play Team Kryptonics.

[phil29]

is there a reason behind the no roster/stat section on narch? jus curious.

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

I lost my entire write up of the Detroit Mission Stars vs. Team Krytonics game. Ticks me off. Will have to try and re-do it in a moment, but there's another Pro Division game in progress -- L.A. Pama Cyclones vs. Team Home Care America.

[RichardGraham]

Hi phil29,

Not sure about the stats, but I've been told that there are no pro rosters because the Pro Division teams don't finalize their rosters till the last moment....

[InlineMBA]

Standings after 1st Round of Pool-Play

Click Below Image to Enlarge
253

Steve Inge - ROXBURY 8

[RichardGraham]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for posting this, but please don't start a new thread and confuse the issue. I'll start a new one when I'm ready. :)

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

I'll write these up later, but here are the scores, at least:

Detroit Mission Stars 7, Team Kryptonics 7

Home Care 3, L.A. Pama Cyclones 2

That's the second loss of the tournament for the Cyclones.

Next up, New Jersey's Savage Wolves vs. Tour STL....

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

Great finish in this one... Tour wins 3-2, scoring winning goal with 3.9 seconds left in the game, and on the power play.

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

By losing a story, I got behind, and there is no break between games, so I'm going to throw my rough notes in here and hope it's not too difficult to read or understand:

Detroit Mission Stars vs Team Kryptonics
1-1 with 9:28 left in half.

Two man advantage Kryptonics, who wear garish harlequin colored uniforms – orange, yellow, white, black; with one black pant leg, the other multicolored. 2-1 score after power play, still time on 4 on 3 – as pp elapses, Kryptonics scores to make it 3-1. Then 4-1 on a second effort

15-minute halves for pro games, 12 minute halves for other games

4-2 with 6:03 left.

At 4:35 it’s a pp for Stars

2 man advantage for 1:36

4-3 at 4:01, shot lifted over goalie who’d dropped down to cover low shots

1:50 remains in 1 man advantage

Good chances, but held off.

77 great individual effort, dangle. 55.5 seconds left, ties it up, 4-4. End of first half.

Second half

Stars take lead at 14:17, go up 6-4 at 13:41, but soon after, Kryptonics score to make it 6-5.

Delayed penalty on Stars. 5-on-4, 10:22 stars get puck for a whistle. 77 gets penalty.

Great chance, then over the net, over the net again, wide, great cross-rink pass and one timer makes it 6-6 at 9:21

7-6 for Krypto at 7:25

Wraparound attempt by Stars

#20, Daryl Moore, scores to tie game for Stars, 7-7, at 6:15

Delayed penalty, whistle at 5:03. 13 seconds later, another penalty, 4 on 2, blocked shot, deflection, blocker save, blocked by D, save

1:01 left on 2 man advantage. Shot hits post, scrambling goalie, glove save.

3:15 left, pass, tipped, save, pad save

Shove by 44, goes to box after a wile…

Now PP for stars at 2:39

1:41 delayed penalty, 2 man advantage, bad pass, puck stolen, partial breakaway, no hooking call, Krypto player can’t believe it; jaw hits floor. Stars buzz around Krypto net but can’t score. Game ends, 7-7

L.A. Pama Cyclones vs. Team Home Care
Elbowing call on Pama at 13:46. 78 is Joaquin Chavira; 7 is Itan.
Great chances for Home Care. Killed penalty.

Chornomud, 96? I thought he’d retired
Delayed call on Home Care
At 9:11 a shot, may have been deflected by Itan Chavira goes in Home Care net, 1-0 Pama

Penalty on Home Care at 7:28, elapses, then Pama gets a penalty, shot deflected out of play. At 2:30, even strength, Home Care scores to make it 1-1. Half ends 1-1

In second half, some very nice moves by Itan, but his shot is deflected away. Bouncing puck around an open net, Pama can’t take advantage in the scramble. A wraparound is almost successful, then Itan fires one over the net at 8:09. Crossbar. All Pama right now. Interference call on Pama at 7:28

Shorthanded goal against two defenders by 77 (“that was sick”) makes it 2-1 for Pama

Home Care knocks in its own rebound at 6:14, it’s 2-2

Shot over net by Pama, partial breakaway, Troy Redman, goalie for Pama, poke checks it away and out of danger

At 2:25, Home Care scores five-hole, goes up 3-2. Redman screened on the play?

Great effort by Itan Chavira, with a man draped on his back, gets a one-handed pass off to a teammate who can’t handle the puck.

It’s all Itan now, but time is running out, he gets a shot, then knocks down a Home Care pass that was headed for a streaking teammate, play whistled dead, but probably saves a goal

31.8 seconds left “they’re going to lose”

Itan long pass doesn’t quite connect; second loss in a row for Pama, 3-2 final score

Savage Wolves vs. Tour STL
Very physical in front of Tour STL net early on… collisions, sticks fly.

PP for the Wolves (Ace Jerseys), and at 13:17, they slide in a quick wrister, 1-0

Two quick saves by the Wolves’ goaltender

Then great chance for the Wolves, but can’t fake out the Tour goaltender.

Wolves get point-blank shot, fire it low into goalie; if wristed high, probably would have scored.

Why do these guys skate way behind their own net when they’re near half court and no one is chasing them? Very annoying

Good saves by Tour goalie

7 misses just wide at 4:30

Penalty 17 Wolves with 3:32 left in half, another shot is one-timed over the net, then cleared.

21 scores at 2:35 for Tour, and it’s 1-1. That’s how half ends.

Second half – penalty on Tour at 10:48, very tight and aggressive defense by Wolves

Wolves go up 2-1 at 9:31

Teams trade penalties, three-on-three play

2-2 with 2:08 left in game

Then with 3.9 seconds left, and on the power play, Tour scores and wins 3-2

[InlineMBA]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for posting this, but please don't start a new thread and confuse the issue. I'll start a new one when I'm ready. :)

Sorry Richard, didn't mean to step on your toes.

Steve Inge - ROXBURY 8

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

Mission Labeda Snipers vs. AKS Mission Empire
In this one, the company Mission can't lose either way...

AKS buzzes early but doesn't score, and at 8:49 there's a penalty on AKS and the Snipers make 'em pay, 1-0

AKS takes its turn on the power play, but doesn't score.

At 2:05, a point-blank shot saved by AKS goalie. (It's nearly impossible to read some of the AKS numbers -- black on B&W jerseys.)

Save at the buzzer by AKS goalie, score remains 1-0.

In the second half, the snipers go up, 2-0, then make it 3-0 on the power play. A backhander gets past the AKS goaltender at 10:09 and it’s 4-0.

There’s some rough stuff at 8:26, and there are coincidental minors. Coincidentally, penalties and scoring is not currently being announced.

AKS gets a two-man advantage and can’t score, and a Snipers’ shot that goes wide comes off the end boards and is jammed in, making it 5-0. And that's the final score.

[RichardGraham]

Hi Steve,

No worries. But it's sorta like being handed a note to read when you're doing play-by-play. Well, not sorta. Exactly. ;)

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

Revision Vanquish vs. Tour Beemers
Revision takes an early 1-0 lead, but it's a waste of time to try and deciper their jersey numbers -- blue and black numbers on black jerseys.

At 10:11, Tour ties it up, 1-1.

At 8:54, Revision narrowly misses the net. (The scoreboard says it's the second half, but that is still up from the previous game. I thought I'd been lost in the space-time continuum or something for a moment.)

Revision's goalie makes back-to-back saves, and then Revision scores a roofer on a one-timer to make it 2-1.

Just 22 seconds later, Revision scores again: 3-1.

The second half begins and Revision takes an early penalty, but Tour can't take advantage, as Revision's goalie makes another couple of quick saves. At 12:29, there's a breakdown in the Tour zone, but their goalie makes a great glove save to keep it close.

At 10:52, however, Revision tallies another goal, making it 4-1.

At 6:47, Revision gets a penalty, and 17 seconds later, a shorthanded goal on an excellent individual effort and a pass to an open man in the slot -- 5-1. Shortly after, a showboat move (shot between the legs) is blocked by Tour's goalie.

With 3:44 to go in the game, Revision scores again: 6-1. Then makes it 7-1 shortly after. And at 1:53, makes it 8-1. The wheels have fallen off this game's model of Tour Beemer.

Final score: Revision Vanquish 8, Tour Beemers 1.

[RichardGraham]

Hi socalhockey,

Daryn Goodwin's brother is going to try and get me all the roster information tonight. I'll post it as soon as I get it and can type it in.

[pez_hockey18]

haha i do believe im guilty for the note reading during play-by-play. sorry....haha. blame ryan, he told me to do it. he was whining about me missing the last two eurocup games.

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

Here comes the second to last Pro game of the evening...

The Mission Syndicate Black vs. Team Kryptonics
First penalty goes to Kryptonics, but the Syndicate’s shots are all blocked on the way to the net or go wide; an excellent penalty kill to start the game.

At 6:53 a Syndicate shot is deflected over the net and out of play, then Kryptonics took the puck down the other end of the rink and shot high. Then Syndicate’s goalie made a big save on a two-on-one for Kryptonics. With about 2:30 left, Krypto got on the scoreboard on a puck that was deflected off of a Syndicate player’s skate. Syndicate got a power play and a chance to tie the score, but Krypto’s goaltender and tough defense kept them off the board. A Syndicate player, angered by an opponent, yapped a bit too much, and was hit with a 10-minute major for unsportsmanlike conduct. Krypto got a shot at the buzzer, but the half ended in a 1-0 score.

In the second half, the Syndicate notched it up early, scoring a goal at 14:25 on “a nice snipe,” according to one spectator.

Though it’s end-to-end here in the second, it’s an ice hockey score, 1-1

There’s great music here at the facility, with a wide range of tunes.

At 6:35, Mission takes a penalty, giving Krypto a chance to tie it up, but a fairly marginal holding call negates the power play. After some three-on-three play, Mission got the man advantage. A sprawling save by Mission’s goaltender.

Somehow I missed some goals, or can’t read my own notes after all these games in a row… bottom line, the Syndicate held on for a 3-2 win.

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

Here's the last pro game of the evening....

Detroit Mission Stars vs. the Tour Mudcats
Detroit missed a golden opportunity to take the lead at 11:55, missing a pass to the edge of a wide-open net. Tour tried to jam it in at 11:27, but the Stars' goalie was up to the task.

After a deflection is topped by Tour's goalie at 10:15, CJ Yoder narrowly misses at the other end.

A delayed penalty against the Stars, and the Mudcats move the puck around the zone for a minute before the Stars get possession and a whistle. On the ensuing power play, a great glove save by the Stars’ goalie keeps it 0-0, but not for long. Just a few seconds later, Tour scores at 6:58 to go up 1-0.

At 4:18, Tour got a power-play goal to go up, 2-0. Whistles from fans at the next rink are so loud and so frequent that I have to yell, “Knock it off!” Give an old guy a break. Sheesh.

At 1:22, Tour gets a shorthanded goal to make it 3-0, and the Stars get on the board at :14.5. And that's the end of the first half...

3-1 in favor of Tour Mudcats.

[RichardGraham]

In the second half, at 13:03, the Stars get their second goal, making it 3-2.

[All of this typing makes me think that since many events now are taping their events for Internet video, I’ll have to get video on IHC soon. That way, I’ll be able to write more real stories and a bit less play-by-play].

At 11:10, the Stars tie it up, 3-3. New game!

Just 8 seconds later, the Stars take a penalty, but the Mudcats can’t capitalize, and it remains tied.

However, at 8:54, just seconds after the power play had elapsed; Tour got a goal on a shot that the Stars goalie obviously wanted back. 4-3, Tour leads.

At 7:37, the Stars get that goal back, and it’s 4-4. Nice back-and-forth action.

CJ Yoder makes a nice pass through the slot, but the Stars’ goalie makes an even better save. At 1:24, the Stars’ take a hooking call, much to the disgust and shock on the bench; the coach can’t believe it. Brian Yingling almost stuffs the puck in the Stars’ net with just 47 seconds left.

Tour shot goes over the net at 3.4 seconds and the faceoff is at center rink. The buzzer sounds, and the game ends – a 4-4 tie.

[InlineMBA]

Standings After 2nd Round of Pool-Play.

Click Below Image to Enlarge:
255

Steve Inge - ROXBURY 8

[RichardGraham]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for posting this. Keep doing it on the new thread, please. My Web access has been going in and out today. Thanks.

[InlineMBA]

Savage Wolves vs. Tour STL

Why do these guys skate way behind their own net when they’re near half court and no one is chasing them? Very annoying

The question, and I think Troho answered it, is - Do you try to skate with Tour St. Louis or slow the game down?

After looking at the Rosters that were posted, and some of these guys play on the same PIHA team, so they now each other pretty well - I think I'd go with the slow down strategy too.

With a final score of 3-2, I think the strategy worked.

Steve Inge - ROXBURY 8

[growl89]

The question, and I think Troho answered it, is - Do you try to skate with Tour St. Louis or slow the game down?

After looking at the Rosters that were posted, and some of these guys play on the same PIHA team, so they now each other pretty well - I think I'd go with the slow down strategy too.

With a final score of 3-2, I think the strategy worked.

Steve Inge - ROXBURY 8


Richard,

top shed some light on this topic, we (wolves) think the best way to control a game is to control the puck. I for one, can not keep with most of the St louis guys in a man on man situation. We played them at Torhs in Buffalo and tried to man up and play run and gun. Well losing 5-0 later made us realize that was not going to work against these guys. So we tried to take a page out of the mission snipers book, and that is to slow the game down and control the puck. And it pretty much worked. We were able to frustrate them and keep down the shots against. We also had a bunch of chances to score ourselves. Being a new team to the pro division is hard. Most teams come in and get blown out and you never see them again. We are young and just starting to find out feet and with the exception of the last 6 minutes on the Pama game (tied 2-2 with 6 left, lost 7-2, gave up completely) i think we proved that we can hang with the teams out there. We just need to fine tune our game/roster. We had arguably the hardest schedule of any pro team (homecare, St louis, Pama, and syndacit) and we got a 4-4 tie with homecare, 3-2 last second loss with st louis, 7-2 blowout loss to pama, and a 3-1 loss to syndacit. Also we held the lead for a while in all of these games. Sorry for the rant, just figured i would explain the strategy of if the other team does not have the puck, it's awfully hard for them to score! hope you enjoyed the pro division as it was the best one i have been a part of.

Bill Katinsky

[RichardGraham]

Hi Bill,

Thanks for your post. I think it makes a lot of sense as a strategy. For a spectator, though, it can be a bit of a drag. ;)

I agree with you that finding a way not to get blown out as a young team also makes sense -- you want to have the guys come back next year and try again.

[growl89]

Hi Bill,

Thanks for your post. I think it makes a lot of sense as a strategy. For a spectator, though, it can be a bit of a drag. ;)

I agree with you that finding a way not to get blown out as a young team also makes sense -- you want to have the guys come back next year and try again.

Exactly, a lot of teams come in and get blown out. The strategy comes into play once we get a lead. We also like to play a box defense. Keep the shots to the outside and make the teams work hard for thier goals ... we can't score very easily, and have to work for it, so out theory is to try and not let the other teams get easy ones on us. Most times it works, sometimes, it doesnt haha ... sorry to bore you though rich :)

[Stampede#11]

Bill - I find the hardest thing with trying to play a box is to keep everyone's feet movings, so to make the transition and break out easier and flow better.

Is there anything you do to stop the "statue" syndrome that seems to go hand in hand with many non-pro teams/players in the box system?

[growl89]

Bill - I find the hardest thing with trying to play a box is to keep everyone's feet movings, so to make the transition and break out easier and flow better.

Is there anything you do to stop the "statue" syndrome that seems to go hand in hand with many non-pro teams/players in the box system?

Very good question, our forecheck is a 1-1-2, we don't just sit in the box and let them come full speed at us, it would cause a slew of penalties. The idea is to keep all the shots from the outside and collapse the middle of the box. If you watch us play you'll see we block a ton of shots and try to possess the puck as much as possible. When you do this you frustrate teams and force turnovers that they wouldn't usually make because they feel pressured from not having the puck as much as they r used to

[tkleins07]

^^ How far do you send the top guy in the 1-1-2? And do you have the mid guy roam the middle and catch the man breaking out or have him look for an opportunity to sink in to disrupt the breakout?

We were using the same system for PIHA and the two forwards were supposed to play their areas as a zone, not to leave them... It worked fairly well but I really like a more aggressive style like having the two forwards cycling between their 1-1 positions. I was just wondering what kind of style worked well for you...

[growl89]

^^ How far do you send the top guy in the 1-1-2? And do you have the mid guy roam the middle and catch the man breaking out or have him look for an opportunity to sink in to disrupt the breakout?

We were using the same system for PIHA and the two forwards were supposed to play their areas as a zone, not to leave them... It worked fairly well but I really like a more aggressive style like having the two forwards cycling between their 1-1 positions. I was just wondering what kind of style worked well for you...

the 1-1 guys needs to be agressive in order for it to work. The first guy forces the puck carrier wide to the boards. The second guy holds until a pass is made, then forcing that player to the boards. By having the two guys so agressive it forces a lot of unexpected turnovers. With PIHA it's a little different. The talent level isn't as high, or at least the speed is not the same, so playing a straight man on man is a little easier.