Exhibition Game #2

Time for the home opener of the exhibition season. On Tuesday, we welcomed the Cergy Jokers to town in the first of a home and home series with the team from the French D1 league. We came out of the gates flying and had a pretty good first period with only a few breakdowns and went into the intermission with the score tied 1-1. In the second period however we couldn't stay our of the penalty box amd gave Cergy all kinds of chance to take control of the game. Finally, the coach had seen enough and called a timeout to give us all a verbal tongue lashing about dicipline. We settled down and managed to finish the second tied at two goals a piece.

Going out for the third period, we knew that the game was within reach and after the loss on Saturday, we really wanted a win, especially on home ice. Now its Cergy's turn to spend some time in the penalty box and we capitalized on the power-play. Just like that it's 3-2 for the good guys and we started rolling from there. We notched two more goals to put it out of reach and cruised to our first win of the season.

I had a pretty good game as Mikka and I played much better together with fewer mistakes between us. I had a great 5 on 3 penalty kill (where they pulled their goalie to make it 6 on 3) in the first period. I also threw some pretty good hits, although I did take one penalty, but I made sure the other guy went too, so no harm. I had one assist in the game on the winning goal when we were on the power-play and was on for one or two other goals. The only one I had scored against me was killing another 5 on 3. I should also note that Andronik (our Quebec sniper) completed the natural hat trick (I think).

Anyway, here is a video of some highlights from the first couple of games. The Frat House girlfriends were shooting some video of their guys during the first two games and I borrowed some of it to make this, so alot of shots include Mikka and Tommi. I apologize, but at least I have something to work with. I also had to include some stills from the game against Cergy just to make it a little longer. I'm wearing #13 in the first game and #31 in the second. Ohh, and watched for the huge hit I throw in the third or fourth clip in the top right hand corner of the screen. Enjoy!

A new test video

So in anticipation of getting my ace camera assistant over here in Paris, and filming some game footage to go on the blog, I decided that I needed to make a little test video while learning how to use Windows Movie Maker. Of course, the subject is my beautiful wife Mindy.

I apologize in advance for the footage, it's all I had.

Exhibition Game #1

So we played our first exhibition game last night against Rouen. There were a pretty average team, but have been skating for two weeks while our team has only been working out for the past week. It showed. We lost 8-5 with them scoring an empty net goal. Our team never really came together except in short bursts. We also took alot of penalties as the too often our guys got caught standing still. Still for a first game, it wasn't a bad effort. I played with Mikka (the Finn) and we seemed to play better as the game went on and we adjusted to each other. I was on the ice for three goals for (two even strength, one short-handed) and three against (one even strength, one penalty-killing, and the empty netter). I think I also marked one assist, but I'm not sure if the refs got it or not.

The rink in Rouen is really nice and has the feel of a small WHL rink, except for it's Olympic sized ice surface. I have a couple of pictures, but since my ace photographer (Mindy) has not yet arrived, none of the game and of course no video.

The ouside of the rink in Rouen

And of course, the ice surface.

The team getting ready for the game. That's me on the far right just entering the face-off circle.

A real French dinner...with a Canadian twist

One of the main people, on this side of the ocean, involved in bringing import players over to the Asnieres Hockey Club is Robert Guimond, a fellow Canadian who is now living in Paris with his French-born wife Corrine, who grew up in Toronto and speaks true Canadian english with a slightly eastern accent. After practice on Friday evening, Robert and Corrine invited the imports and their sigficant others over to their place for dinner along with the team president, Mr. Christophe Cuzin.

It was a fabulous meal as Corrine prepared a pasta salad, chicken curry, fresh tomatoes and mozzarella, salmon quiche, and a fabulous saussage and spinach pasta dish. It was a feast for kings. Of course I can't forget the fabulous dessert of terramiso and fresh fruit. Unfortunatly, I didn't bring my camera to record the fabulous evening, however was able to get a few pictures from Angelique (girlfriend of Andronik), one of the Frat House roomates. It was a true French meal with a slightly Canadian twist.

Andronik, Tommi, Mikka, and myself pose for a picture with champagne flutes in hand, celebrating our arrival to the Asnieres Hockey Club

Corrine, our hostess, gets the dessert ready for us.

Mr. Robert Guimond, a Canadian in Paris, and the man responsible for getting me over here.

Me, Mr. Christophe Cuzin, and Andronik. Christophe is the heart and soul of Asnieres Hockey Club as he works tirelessly to keep it going. He even fills our water bottles for us.

Daily Life Pictures

Not everything is Eiffel Towers and strolls down the Champs d'Elysses. There are aspects of daily life that need to be shown.

The apartment building which holds the "Frat House" suite.

The "Taxiphone" I use to call home to Canada.

The entance to "Carrefours", the French version of the Real Canadian Superstore.


The view from my bedroom window. The French have these nice little parks in every neighbourhood. They are well kept and very safe.

Daily Routine

So I was asked what my daily routine is now that I'm in France playing hockey. I can tell you one thing, my mornings no longer start with a 5:15 am wake-up call!!! As much as I loved getting up that early to head to the gym for Boot Camp, then a full day at the office, I'm easing into a little bit of a different routine.

I'm up at 8:00 am every morning as I need to eat. Usually a big breakfast of eggs, cereal, orange juice, and some fruit. After breakfast, I might run out to grocery store or bakery if I need anything. I eat something light around 10:30 am, usually a granola bar and some yogurt or fruit and baguette and also prepare a shake for later as well as an electrolyte filled sports drink (these are for during and after the morning workout).

At 11:00 am I head to the rink (about a 10 minute walk) to get ready for the morning workout. We usually put in about an hour and fifteen minutes of off-ice strength and conditioning work. After the workout, it's time for that previously mentioned protein shake before we head back to the apartment.

Lunch is eaten as soon as I get home and usually consists of a sandwich (made from fresh baguette of course), some fruit, and whatever else I feel like.

Typically I need to take a nap at some point in the day to get ready for the evening practice, so sometimes, this is a great time take it. An hour in the sheets does wonders for the athletic body. Around 3:00 pm, I'll walk to the grocery store or go somewhere in Asnieres just to get out and stretch my legs. At 4:00 pm I call Mindy and chat with her for 10 or 15 minutes (the highlight of my day!!!).

Dinner is around 5:00 pm as I need to eat well in advance of practice. Usually some pasta or rice with chicken and salad. After dinner, I usually read or watch a movie or nap if I need it. Nothing exciting about it.

Practice is at 8:15 pm, so I usually head to the rink around 7:15 to hang out with the guys, tape my stick, and get dressed for practice. As I mentioned, practice is at 8:15 and goes for an hour and a half. We skate, and skate, and skate some more.

Tip of the day for minor hockey coaches: I'm playing division 2 pro hockey in France and we do nothing but work on the fundamentals. Skating, shooting, passing, and stickhandling. We haven't even touched systems. It's all about the fundamentals (Stevey - I have some great new drills for you ;-) )

After practice, another protein shake is consumed in the dressing room before we head home. We usually make it home by 10:30 at which point another meal is consumed. This one is pretty random, but cereal, sandwiches, yogurt, and fruit have all found themselves on the menu. After eating, I need to settle myself down so I can eventually go to sleep. An hour or two of reading or a movie usually does the trick. Lights out about 12:30.

And that's my day...hope yours was as fun-filled as mine.

Saint

The Paris Triangle

So this afternoon, after the morning workout, I needed to go into Paris central to run a few errands and decided to check out the Paris Triangle. The Paris Triangle is comprised of the three most visited landmarks in Paris by tourists. The Eiffel Tower, The Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre Museum. So I walked around and took a couple of pictures of me in front of the landmarks. I'm sure I will be returning with Mindy in a few weeks. It will be great to see Paris like a real tourist with her.

David in front of the big tower.

David in front of the big arc
David in front of the big museum.David in front of a pretty famous street.
I'm guessing that this shot would be the Paris version of the Times Square photo from New York. It would probably also look way cooler at night and not taken at arms length.