USA Hockey Adult Hockey

We're two games in to the 2009 Labatt Blue/USA Hockey Pond Hockey Championships and I am of the opinion I've never been on a more enjoyable losing end of an 18-5 loss.

My team, the Yaks, sponsored by the great guys from the Green Bay Yakkers, are 0-2 entering the second day of competition and have no chance of advancing. Nonetheless, I've never had so much fun losing.

True we were smoked in our first game and competitive in a losing effort in our second game, but at the end of the game we couldn't help but take in the scenery. Eagle River provides an absolutely perfect setting.

A couple of game notes:

Game 1 - Score, score and score ... just not for the Yaks. We picked it up in the second half, but still lost 18-5. I've been on my fair share of lopsided losses (Go Chiefs!), but I had a blast in this game.

Game 2 - A little chippy, but still a lot of fun. I remember a moment when I lost a battle for the puck in the corner and turned around all hot and frustrated to find a scenic view of Dollar lake and another 20 pond hockey games going around me. If you haven't been to this tournament, take advantage of low airfare and book a trip now. You won't have more fun getting blown out than at this tournament. If you win, all the better.

After the games we were able to take a picture with the Stanley Cup and I'll post that picture and tons more tomorrow morning when I have time.

I've received about 25 photos from people at the event and I'll be posting those, but I encourage anyone who isn't at the event to e-mail me at camerone@usahockey.org with any questions about the tournament.

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On tap for tomorrow is one more game for me and then a lot of articles and blog posts.