Be there and make sure to check in >> http://pimastreethockey.com/street-hockey/checkin/

There will be drinks on hand for those needing added encouragement to make it to this momentous occasion.

Keep your stick on the ice,
- Tim

We launched an updated website late last year and you can now create your own profile like this:  http://pimastreethockey.com/players/tim/ (just click the Register link in the box on the top right area of the screen).  This site has helped bring in new players and is ranked #1 in Google for “Tucson Hockey” and even “Street Hockey League” (it’s even #2 if you just type in “Street Hockey”!).  We’ve also got an integrated Facebook page which you should join if you haven’t already >> http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pima-Street-Hockey-League/207865235872

Erick has taken over care of the equipment and nets, even purchasing a new set of goalie pads along with a brand new goalie stick.  Pitch in some $ to him if you can to help with these costs.  He’s also going to be repainting the center line and goalie creases over the next few weeks.  At the very least everyone should bring him a Guinness for his efforts!

The Anthem hockey team (from North of Phoenix) is going to be paying us a visit in February.  The dates are not set yet but it’s looking like either the 13th or 20th for this big game to take place.  We crushed them during the last home game but then lost a devastatingly close game on their beautiful court.  I’ll send another email out when the details are set.

In other news we’re talking about starting to play on Wednesdays again and hope to get enough interest over the next few weeks to get that going.  I’m also finally getting some PSHL jerseys printed and should have those ready by mid-February.  If all goes well PSHL shirts (light and dark of course) will follow.

And don’t forget, Game On tonight at 7pm!

Keep your stick on the ice,
- Tim

• Profiles – You can now Register (top right of the page) and create your own profile which will be shown on the Players page.  We’ll be adding more features to this page as more profiles are created.
• Improved Check-In – The Check-In page has been refined and will automatically recognize logged in users.
• User Content – Visitors may not Submit a Story or Upload Photos which may be added to the site.

In the (near) future we’ll also be adding photo galleries, current bladeworld stats, players and schedules.

Keep your stick on the ice!
- Tim

Be there tonight for another fine night of hockey in the desert at 7pm.
We should see an international crowd with players from Canada, Hungary and even Slovakia once again!

Keep your stick on the ice,
Tim

Written by Swiss Dan

For our first away game ever, we went to Anthem, North of Phoenix, in order to play the local team in their beautiful rink. The rink is large, they play with a very bouncy puck, and their goals are larger. We saw the return of the Tominator in our goal. The rest of the team consisted of Bob, Chris, Daniel, Duke (all the way from Vegas!), Erick, Erin, Gordie (for the 1st period), Marcus, and Tim.

The game started quickly, and Chris started off the scoring with a high shot into the corner of the net which was quickly followed by a low by Tim (setup by Gordie’s behind-the-net hustle) 2:0 for us! But then we experienced many problems. The size of the rink, and the difficulty of many of us to control the puck caused us to score two goals on our own net as we were getting the hang of things. Tom did a great job and he made many saves, but Anthem came back and even took the lead, 2:3. Then we scored one, and we stopped for the first (well deserved!) break.

I think many of us played a bit better in the second period. Erin played tough in defense, Marcus caught many pucks, Bob was a rock that was hard to go around. Chris played great on offense and Tim had impressive raids around several Anthem players (though had trouble keeping control of the bobbling puck long enough to get off solid shots). On the other hand, we were getting tired with many less subs than Anthem. The game was always pleasant, despite occasional tough play. Clearly, both teams wanted to win! The score stayed close throughout, never more than 2 goals apart. At the end of the period, we were trailing 7:8 and had lost Duke to a sprained ankle injury.

It was then agreed that the first team to reach 10 will be the winner. The last period saw much offense, with many 3 on 2 in either direction, as the offense players were too tired to get back quickly. Both goalies did a great job and it was hard to score. We did score two, going ahead 9:8. Both teams had many occasions, hitting the post or the crossbar, Anthem scoring one. 9:9, the game is damn close! We had our chances of scoring the last goal, but we missed, and Anthem eventually won, 9:10!!!

I think we all played great. Special mention to Tim (amazing to watch, 6 goals), to Chris (3 goals), and last but not least, to the Tominator for a very solid game. Thanks to Anthem for their invitation to play against them, and for the beer and pizza. We had a nice time in the pub next door afterwards.

We look forward to continuing this rivalry and plan on monthly games where we take turn making the commute.  Next game, May? in Tucson!

Gametime:
6pm to 9pm’ish

Equipment:
They use a roller hockey puck but wear the same protective equipment as us.  I’ll be bringing some larger shin pads just in case but plan on wearing my regular soccer shin pads and gloves.

Directions:
- from I10 Take I17 North (about 20 miles north of Phoenix)
- Exit Anthem Way, make a right turn
- Gavilan Peak Parkway, make a right turn (M&I bank on the corner)
- At the stop sign make a left Turn into the Park.  You will see a roller blade park and the hockey rink on your right hand side.

The rink is about a 2hr drive from Tucson. If you need to google directions, Legends Bar & Grill is right across the street from Anthem Park where the rink is located.

Legends Bar & Grill
3655 W Anthem Way #D115
Anthem, AZ 85086
(623) 551-9525

Transportation & Lodging:
- Who’s planning on driving up there and back to Tucson?  Please post to the website if you can take anybody else:  http://pimastreethockey.com/checkin/
- Erick is getting a room at the Hampton which people may be able to crash at.
- The Anthem guys offered places to stay
- Erin, Chris, Tom & Naghmeh should all be coming from Phoenix and may have a place to crash.

As of now I know we have the following people coming:
- Tim
- Tom “The Tominator” (starting goalie)
- Chris Kase (scoring threat and backup goalie)
- Naghmeh
- Erin
- Erick
- Daniel (who’s also celebrating his birthday on Saturday!)

You too?
http://pimastreethockey.com/checkin/

Any questions?  Please email me and I’ll try to help.
- Tim

On Saturday, March 28, our rink at Santa Catalina High School witnessed the dreaded/anticipated/eagerly-awaited encounter between the Anthem and the PSHL teams. Before any PSHL player had shown up, eight Anthem guys were already practicing in the rink. But the PSHL was eager to play too, and well over a dozen people eventually joined in. Stephanie in the goal, plenty of subs for our side, and the game started (almost) on time. (Odd enough to be pointed out.)

Right after the start the ball was in the PSHL side, the Anthem guys playing fast and pressuring us. Then the game became more balanced. Anthem had a few opportunities, but Stephanie played great. The score stayed at 0:0 for a long time (15-20 minutes). Then it happened that the PSHL players were Hinako, Janis, Naghmeh, Stephanie, Mike, and Tim. I remember Bob mentioning that we were in for a tough time… but Tim scored! 1:0 for PSHL. A moment later (well, 20 minutes of moments later) it was 3:0 for us and we stopped for a break.

The game kept being pleasant in the second period, PSHL in overall control, but Anthem had good opportunities too, notably a few breakaways where a fast Anthem guy was alone in facing Stephanie. But she stopped all but one. I think it was 5:1 when the second period ended.

In the third period Anthem played courageously, although they were visibly tired. PSHL was not, thanks to so many subs and we continued to wear them down! We gave them a hard time, although they managed to score a second goal. It was 10:2 (some say 13:2) when the game ended.

The game was extremely fair, and the Anthem guys should be commanded for that. They drove to Tucson, they agreed to play our rules (they do not have balls in Anthem!), they had to cope with our treacherous rink, they certainly hoped to give us a hard time. Yet they were very graceful after the game. It was most pleasant to share a couple beers with them afterward.

We owe them a rematch in their home rink, using a puck, on Saturday, April 18th at 6pm!  Who’s willing to make the trip? So far was have:
- Tim
- Daniel
- Naghmeh
- The Tominator

You?

Let me know if you can make it.  I’ll send more information and directions next week.

Keep your stick on the ice,
Tim

A group of street hockey players like us from Anthem, AZ (near Phoenix) are planning to make the Southern trip this Saturday evening to be schooled on the game of hockey.  They are bringing a goalie and a full team so we may have our hands full, but I expect a good game and a great time.

You won’t wanna miss this, bring your A game.  I’m going to get there around 6:45 or so and expect to start playing shortly after 7.

• Anthem/Phoenix players. Please bring DARK shirts/jerseys. You will be the evil…. errr… i mean dark team.
• PSHL’ers. Please bring WHITE shirts/jerseys. We will be the white team.

Keep your stick on the ice,
Tim

The white team (Bill, Deb, Swiss Dan) got a good start, 3:0 after
the first period. The dark team (Hinako, Andy, Volker) played better
in the second half, it was 4:1 when we stopped for a break. They
improved yet again in the third period, coming back to 5:4. It was
then agreed that the game would end with the next goal… white
wins or dark ties! A somewhat lucky distant shot by the white team
won the day.

I would like to congratulate my colleague and opponent Volker
for a good and tough debut in the PSHL! We will both be back
tonight.

Swiss Dan

As far as I remember, the white team started very strong, building a lead of 5:1 or so very quickly, but the dark team managed to come back a bit. 7:3 at the period, or so. In the second period, and thanks to a great Stephanie in the dark goals, the white did not manage to score for a while, so the game got tied 8:8. Then it was even for a while, until 12:12 or so. At this time Stephanie again played unbelievably well and the dark team won 16:12 (I think). Eric in the other goal played great too, both goalies had many saves to do in order to keep the score reasonable.

I wonder whether we just had Game 1 in one of the great goalie rivalries of PSHL, going back to the glorious Tom and Chris?

Next game Saturday!

- Daniel