My Way to San Jose for the NARCh Finals
by Adam Stio

Just weeks after NARCh has finished its 15th regional season, the world’s greatest inline hockey players head to what most feel is the Mecca of our industry, California. I was here, months ago, at the San Jose regional, and the atmosphere was awesome. Tomorrow, I can only imagine what’s in store. I was thinking back to the Las Vegas regional just two short weeks ago. Yet again, more championship games go into overtime and still more events just stick out. Travis Barendt’s last game in net for the Arizona State Wars team at that regional is still in my head. He had Max Nicastro (NHL Draft pick this year) and Chris Francis (WHL’s Portland Winter Hawks) each take about 10 shots at him, plus an onslaught from the rest of the Tour Rebels. He only stopped 23 out of about 30 shots, but it was about the first 15 or so where no matter what angle or one timer, that he made almost every save in about a 90+ degree rink and he was under the weather. This is what NARCh is all about.

NARCh Tournament Director Doug Jones has laid out the numbers in his latest blog and, as he said, here is where it counts. You have to put it on the line and perform on the sport’s biggest stage in front of record-breaking and mind-boggling numbers of players, teams and divisions.

NARCh – 15th anniversary and Finals – less than 24 hours ‘til kick-off.