Trip to Italy ends in Finals shootout!!!

WE WON!!!!!

Our trip to Italy was unreal, from the food to our victory in the finals.  It was a trip that the entire team was looking forward to from the start of the season and it couldnt of ended in a better way. The final game came down to a shoot out to the host Asiago where I went in the shoot our 4 times. Yes 4 times. I missed 3 times and had the chance to win it but failed. Although I put one in the back of the net when it counted just as much as winning it. The one time I did score it was all on the line. If I didnt score we would of lost. Ive got to admit I rarely get nervous when I go in the shootouts, but this time around knowing that is was up me to score I was shaking right before I went. Thinking to myself as went down the ice all alone on the goalie, I knew that I had to score to keep our team in it. I went to my usual move and it worked and Ive got to admit the feeling I had inside was such a high. I keep my emotions to myself and rarely show how happy I am on the outside, but it was great feeling knowing that I scored to keep our team alive for another shooter. Also if didnt score I think my coach would of killed me knowing that he gave me 4 chances to score hahah. It ended with Dustin Vanballegooie our D-man going down the ice and shooting over the goalies glove. It was finally over after a total of 18 shooters!!!! I was the first one on the ice to sprint to Dustin where we hugged in mid air. It was a great feeling and it secured us a spot in Belarus, in the Finals in January. It should be another great challenge for our team. I cant wait!!!

Here are some of the pictures of our trip back home that took a total of 29 hours!!!! Should of took us around 6, but we were delayed, delayed and than canceled. After a big victory and going out and enjoying the win staying out until the sun came up haha, we had no idea that we were in for a 29 hour trip. Here are some pics of the boys in the airport feeling the weekend catch up to them.

Below is Dustin who had the shootout winner!!!

 Boys just waiting around!!

Dustin taking another nap with D-partner Matt!!!

Stolle sleeps on a hard bed at home, so the concrete floor was fine!!

All I can do is laugh here!!!!



You would think this was a staged picture, but this is the real thing!! Priceless!