AIHL Championships

[wildpuck]

Game one was won by the San Jose Pirates 6-4. The games are live at AIHLhockey.com. Photos from the first game are up at http://pics.wildpuck.com.

http://aihl.wildpuck.com should take you right to them.

[RichardGraham]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the update. I really appreciate it!

[wildpuck]

Not a problem Richard.

Second game was one by Steel City 6-5.

San Jose is running with 5 skaters. With about two weeks notice, it was difficult for their players to get off work in the middle of the week. I still think they can pull out the win, but it won't be easy.

Game two photos might be up later tonight, although tomorrow morning is more likely.

We're going to try to upload some photos during the games tomorrow, so we'll see how that goes.

[old hockey mom]

Hi Wildpuck,

Thanks so much for the updates. I'm from the San Jose area and am very interested in the games, as a few of the players are coaches for our kids out here. Please keep us updated!! It is appreciated.

[wildpuck]

Game Two photos are up.

aihl.wildpuck.com (http://aihl.wildpuck.com)

[Ronnie Williams]

Phantoms win 6-5 in OT in game 3.......

[wildpuck]

Game three photos are mostly all up.

http://aihl.wildpuck.com

[alex]

Were travel expenses for these teams paid for by the league or not?

[wildpuck]

Game four photos are uploading now.

http://aihl.wildpuck.com

[hckypop02]

Congrats to the SJ Pirates for representing nor cal, it was a tough series and I would have really liked to see these games played on sat/sun and I think the outcome would have been different and the full Pirate squad would have been there. Hopefully next year the powers that be will see this and fix this scheduling issue. No excuses though you play with who you have and the Pirates made the best of it!!
Doug

[hckypop02]

Wild Puck absolutely awesome pictures of the Elite Finals!! Great job. Doug

[wildpuck]

Thanks Doug.

Congrats to the Phantoms. It would have been nice to see a full Pirates squad. I hope that we'll get to see them return to the finals next season.

[growl89]

Congrats to the SJ Pirates for representing nor cal, it was a tough series and I would have really liked to see these games played on sat/sun and I think the outcome would have been different and the full Pirate squad would have been there. Hopefully next year the powers that be will see this and fix this scheduling issue. No excuses though you play with who you have and the Pirates made the best of it!!
Doug

So we play on the weekends all year long only to see the finals during the week with a team of only 5 guys?

So few things make any sense in this sport anymore.

[hckypop02]

Well said lets flood the league with letters and or emails to make sure this doesn't happen again!! After all both teams played a full schedule and played hard to get to the finals and a true final would have been 2 "FULL SQUADS", shame on the league for poor planning!! Doug

[wheels15]

Well said Billy.
They need to discuss a few things in the off season meetings, such as the playoff schedule, the overtime rule(because no sport should end in a tie game), and maybe next season there should be an all star game to showcase the best players in the league. Just a few topics that should be brought up by the owners this summer. But congratulations to the Steel City Phantoms. They were tough to play against all season especially when they came to play with a full squad. I also give credit to SJ given the fact that they flew across country on about 2 weeks notice and still made a good showing with a couple of close losses. Well to the end of 1 season and the beginning of another with tryouts right around the corner. I look forward to seeing you guys throughout the season.
And good luck in Narch to the Savage Wolves players
Bobby Beauchamp

[SWAMPDONKEYS29]

Well said lets flood the league with letters and or emails to make sure this doesn't happen again!! After all both teams played a full schedule and played hard to get to the finals and a true final would have been 2 "FULL SQUADS", shame on the league for poor planning!! Doug

Doug,

While I agree that it was not an ideal situation for the finals to be played midweek, not all of the blame should be placed on the league. Teams within the league were made aware of these dates well in advance and all teams had ample time and opportunity to make the necessary arrangements to ensure that they would have maximum attendance from their players.

Let's also not ignore the fact that the Steel City Phantoms played the same schedule as their opponents and they were able to bring a full squad. The San Jose Pirates were at the top of their division all season long and you would like to think that the planning involved with such a trip would have been in motion months ago if they were fortunate enough to represent the Western Conference in the finals.

I truly think it was a shame that the Pirates did not have a full roster available during the finals and I eluded to that on more than a few occasions during the broadcast. I was very impressed with all 5 of their players who did make the trip and their goaltending was tremendous. I can only hope that whatever teams make the finals next season, they are both able to bring their entire teams to compete for such a prestigious title.

Ruppy Hailey

[SWAMPDONKEYS29]

Well said Billy.
They need to discuss a few things in the off season meetings, such as the playoff schedule, the overtime rule(because no sport should end in a tie game), and maybe next season there should be an all star game to showcase the best players in the league. Just a few topics that should be brought up by the owners this summer. But congratulations to the Steel City Phantoms. They were tough to play against all season especially when they came to play with a full squad. I also give credit to SJ given the fact that they flew across country on about 2 weeks notice and still made a good showing with a couple of close losses. Well to the end of 1 season and the beginning of another with tryouts right around the corner. I look forward to seeing you guys throughout the season.
And good luck in Narch to the Savage Wolves players
Bobby Beauchamp

Good stuff Bobby...your points will no doubt be a topic of discussion during the off-season.

Furthermore, any players or coaches who have any ideas whatsoever that would ultimately improve the league are urged to present them to the owners of their respective teams. If you are a free agent within the league and would like your ideas considered, feel free to e-mail them to me and I will be certain to forward them to the proper people.

[southcyclone]

Well said lets flood the league with letters and or emails to make sure this doesn't happen again!! After all both teams played a full schedule and played hard to get to the finals and a true final would have been 2 "FULL SQUADS", shame on the league for poor planning!! Doug


For those who do not know it was NOT POOR PLANNING ON THE LEAGUES PART. Originally the finals were scheduled for memorial day weekend to be at Disney. Too many teams complained about the dates and the only other option was at the Junior Olympics. The USA world team had to leave on the morning of the 3rd and with the large amount of that roster being AIHL players the dates were decided upon then. This was not done in any form to screw anyone. The league did not make this decision. The owners did. If you have a gripe take it up with your owner or feel free to email me as I will be glad to speak on this topic.

[alex]

There are a lot of things to improve or change (timing of league finals, overtime rule, socal division falling apart) but I think it was a good first season. There are many positives too and let's give this league chance to improve and get better before we start calling for people's heads.

[ninedeuce]

Congrats 2 the phatoms mayb use guys can get jerseys wit ure actual team name on them nexxt year makes me made that we had 2 pay 4 new jerseys and they wore their tour tornament that are bandits so are first chip had ttthe steal city phantoms wit the trophy wit bandits jerseys wack n makes the aihl look bad

[InlineMBA]

Congrats 2 the phatoms mayb use guys can get jerseys wit ure actual team name on them nexxt year makes me made that we had 2 pay 4 new jerseys and they wore their tour tornament that are bandits so are first chip had ttthe steal city phantoms wit the trophy wit bandits jerseys wack n makes the aihl look bad

Louis Pasteur would be so proud.

Steve Inge - ROXBURY 8

[alex]

Congrats 2 the phatoms mayb use guys can get jerseys wit ure actual team name on them nexxt year makes me made that we had 2 pay 4 new jerseys and they wore their tour tornament that are bandits so are first chip had ttthe steal city phantoms wit the trophy wit bandits jerseys wack n makes the aihl look bad


Hard to read, but good point...

[pghbandit11]

Congrats 2 the phatoms mayb use guys can get jerseys wit ure actual team name on them nexxt year makes me made that we had 2 pay 4 new jerseys and they wore their tour tornament that are bandits so are first chip had ttthe steal city phantoms wit the trophy wit bandits jerseys wack n makes the aihl look bad

We wore those jersey all season(7 times against your team), and your going to complian now?

[Bronson9]

Does it really matter what uniforms they wore?



P.S.

Checked the rule book and the Phantoms did not break any rules wearing those jerseys

[tommy]

Does it really matter what uniforms they wore?

In the effort to legitimize "our" sport, I think it does matter. And believe me, I know this is by no means comparable to the NHL, AHL, ECHL or any other high-level ice hockey league or any other professional sports league, but in any of those leagues do you think it would be deemed acceptable to wear jerseys in an Elite league that have the wrong team name on them and, to a further extent, the name of a team that participated in a different league altogether the year prior? Probably not. So, to answer your question, yeah it does matter if the sport of roller/inline hockey is to be legitimized any time soon...

My 2¢

[hckypop02]

To Southcyclone..first of all i never said anything about anyone getting screwed so back off. Second if you knew anything about me you would know i support the AIHL 100%, put in a ton of hours in San Jose, Ca for the division, announced the games at the rink and hosted an AIHL Pacific Division recap show and was on with Dave and Rupp all season long. I do it for the teams because they deserve our support! Should the planning and communication between the league and the teams been better absolutely!! Congrats again to Steel City as I support the ENTIRE AIHL!!!!Doug Wallace host of Today in the AIHL out of the Cellar. Any issues contact me. :)

[hckypop02]

Ruppy you beat me like a rented mule.....ouch. Lets try and make it better for next season and great work in all you did for the league this season. Doug

[hckypop02]

I agree Tommy. We are trying to be Professional and set the tone for seasons to come and you make some good points. Doug

[southcyclone]

To Southcyclone..first of all i never said anything about anyone getting screwed so back off. Second if you knew anything about me you would know i support the AIHL 100%, put in a ton of hours in San Jose, Ca for the division, announced the games at the rink and hosted an AIHL Pacific Division recap show and was on with Dave and Rupp all season long. I do it for the teams because they deserve our support! Should the planning and communication between the league and the teams been better absolutely!! Congrats again to Steel City as I support the ENTIRE AIHL!!!!Doug Wallace host of Today in the AIHL out of the Cellar. Any issues contact me. :)

No you just said the league made a poor planning decision. So you basically said the owners screwed it up. Doug I know exactly who you are and what you have done for the league and you can ask Mario, Dave and Rupp. I think very highly of things that you did for the league.

Good stuff and look forward to hearing about the west from you again next year.

Ck your PM Box

[hckypop02]

Southcyclone, enough said good work and lets make this league move forward in a positive way and thanks for the PM's. This league could not prosper without folks like you! Talk soon, Doug