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

[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