Hi all,
 For those that wish to play masters hockey it is on again this Wednesday at 9:45pm.
Thanks
Warren

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“OldWolfs” Masters Games Team
Feb 4th – 7th 2010, Dunedin .

On Thursday 4th February, a motley crew of aged Aardwolfs (and others) gathered for a crusade to the Masters Games Ice Hockey Tournament in Dunedin. The “Oldwolfs” consisted of a star Goalie, the successful 2009 Red Devils coaching staff, and the rest of us as journeymen A and B graders.
Note to self for the next tournament, when the organisers tell you you’re in a pool of teams, clarify if they mean “A” pool !!! Our first game on Friday morning against the Dunedin Penguins ended in a 9-0 shellacking, as we trailed a group of ex Ice Blacks and current NZIHL players around the ice. The only highlight being Wayne Chang’s performance between the pipes, which at least kept the score to single figures and a modicum of decency. Dark looks and not-so-under-the breath mutterings were directed at the Team Manager as we stared down the barrel of a weekend of similar drubbings.
Hurried post-match negotiations highlighted the “A” pool versus “a pool” issue, and after cases of beer were exchanged, and with the brokering skills of Tournament Manager Steve Jackson, the Melbourne team agreed to take their rightful place in “A” grade, whilst we sloped off down into “B” grade.
Subsequent games then saw us take 2 wins, a draw and a loss. Highlights included a hat trick from Mike Johnson, a piledriver goal from the blue line from Colin Smith, and Craig Balfour somehow managing to check every opposing player in every game (even though it was non-contact).
The forwards quickly worked out that on the big ice, all you had to do was get free in the neutral zone, and the puck would always magically appear on your blade courtesy of yet another pinpoint pass from Colin or Keith Payne. These two wily old hockey veterans never missed a beat all tournament, despite the frustrations of playing with the rest of us, who would inevitably waste almost every one of those opportunities!  Their patience in explaining the plays, and their coaching suggestions  were very welcome. Many of us learned a lot about hockey! 
Off ice activities included a very enjoyable round of golf at the St Clair club, poker lessons from Johnson, Chris Sweeney and Wayne Chang (they wasted little time in devouring the newbie’s chip stashes), as well as the meal at Lone Star and the traditional Saturday night swill for the Masters Games.
A fantastic weekend of hockey, a great bunch of guys involved, and our thanks go to the Aardwolfs club for all the support they gave to the team, Melbourne for swapping with us, Bernie Todt for taking some great photo’s (even though he was playing for another team!) and to Steve Jackson and the Dunedin team of volunteers who made it all happen. We’ll be back next time around (if Keith’s knees have recovered by then), and we’ll be looking at those pool allocations a bit more carefully!

PLAY IN THE MASTERS LEAGUE TODAY >