Mustangs Beat Geauga 4-2

I finally got a hold of the game film for last Sunday's Strongsville Mustangs win over the Geauga Maple Leafs. It was the first game of the regular season and, after a winless preseason, the Mustangs pulled out the 4-2 victory. Even though we were the home team, the game was played at the Baron's arena in Parma. Goals were scored by Keane (#31), Crossman (#87), Frederick (#97), and Vandenbusche (#91). Maxwell was called down from our B1 team and he provided some great defense between the pipes. Our next regular season game is actually against Geauga once again the day after Thanksgiving. This next game will be played at "The Q Arena" before the Lake Erie Monsters game. Should be fun.

Poker Fest 25 Teaser Clip

As I have done in the past, here is a short "teaser clip" for the upcoming Poker Fest 25 tournament.

Click here for 2012 videos
Click here for 2011 video
Click here for 2009 videos
Click here for 2008 videos

The Strongsville Mustangs Bantam 2 team has had a rough preseason so far. After 5 games, we are 0-5. To our defense, the roster has been in flux, we haven't really had a permanent goalie yet, and the kids are still finding their "team chemistry." Still, the preseason is really just to benchmark all of the teams so they are properly placed for the regular season. One thing the coach implemented was a new dress-code policy: Nice pants, shoes, shirts and ties before and after all games. This will help the kids prepare for high school where that is generally required. Andrew - pictured here in his "Sunday best" - continues to skate hard, and he generally has a couple good hits per game. Yesterday he switched from Forward to Center. The team plays again today against a team that I think will be closer to our level, so it should be a good game. 

Strongsville Hockey Pre-Season Begins

Andrew and the Strongsville Mustangs Hockey Bantam 2 team began their pre-season last week Sunday at home against a formidable, Mentor opponent. It was our first organized game, and we had an interim goalie, but the team still played two competitive periods of hockey (it was the middle of the second period that killed us when we gave up 6 goals). The preseason is basically used to gauge where teams are at, and then place them appropriately for the regular season. Andrew (#97, jersey usually tucked into back of his pants) had a great game with two shots on goal, some nice passes, and a couple hits. Here is a quick overall highlight reel that I edited down from the game CD from our team videographer (yes, we have one). Bryce (#11) had some nice shots on goal as well, and he scored our only goal. In the end, we lost 1-8.

Homecoming 2012

Tonight Abby is going to her 3rd homecoming dance. As she has done the past 2 years, she is going with a group of her girl friends. She got ready at a friend's house, then had dinner at another friend's house. Now they are heading to the dance. Afterwards, a few of them will be spending the night at the Hollywood Estates. She looks beautiful in her lovely dress. As a refresher, here are the Hollywood Four blog links for the past two years:

2011 Homecoming Dance
2010 Homecoming Dance

Abby Takes First Place in Michigan Feis

Abby danced in the Michigan Feis in Muskegon, MI today. Dad and Andrew had to stay home for hockey practices. I was delighted to learn, however, that Abby took First Place in the Championship level competition! Here is a picture that I received from Karen via text earlier today. I am very proud of Abby. She has really been practicing hard, and it's nice to see it pay off. Hopefully this will give her a nice confidence boost with the 2012 Mid-America Oireachtas (regional) competition just around the corner in November.

Global Village Festival

Yesterday, Abby and the O'Hare Irish Dancers performed at the Global Village Festival of Greater Akron. Despite the threat of rain, the weather was not too bad and the troupe seemed to perform well based on the video footage taken below by Mom. The performance also marked the dancing debut of the newest teacher to the O'Hare school of Irish Dance, world-champion dancer Michael Holland. He's been a great additional to the school, the girls seem to like him, and he is a phenomenal dancer.