Well, well, well.... looks like Lakeshore has now lost twice at this tournament... as the Nordiques won the bronze medal game by a one-point margin. I can't think of a tournament where that has happened in a very long time. Kudos to the 'Diques and the coaching team!

In speaking with a number of people who were at the tournament, the level of play of all the top teams has increased, and the margin of error on the court often became the margin of victory for the winning team.

The Ice went through some growing pains with the losses yesterday, but was able to regroup in a team meeting this morning and worked some things out as a solid unit. Teamwork and communication was the key to their victories over the two European national teams that they faced today, including a comfortable 10-goal margin of victory over the Germans. The Ice, led by Mike "Shake 'n Quake" Whitehead, feels good about their chances at the second tournament of their US tour, which comes up next weekend in Birmingham, Alabama.

In the tournament championship game, the Phoenix Heat, led by the ever-quick Kid, beat Great Britain in overtime by a single goal.

Congratulations to Phoenix on a well-played tournament!

Canada places 3rd and 5th out of the 12-team international tournament, which is an especially good result for our split teams.

All-Tournament Team:

0.5 - Koen Delen (Belgium)
1.0 - Scott Hogsett (Phoenix Heat )
1.5 - Patrice Simard (Canada Ice)
2.0 - Bryan Kirkland (Lakeshore Demolition)
2.5 - Troye Collins (Great Britain)
3.0 - George Hucks (Australia Development)
3.5 - Garett Hickling (Canada Nordiques)
MVP - Brad Dubberley (Phoenix Heat)
Sportsmanship - Dave Jenkins (Hoveround Lightning)

Final Results:

1 - PHOENIX HEAT (3)
2 - GREAT BRITAIN (4)
3 - CANADA NORDIQUES (2)
4 - LAKESHORE DEMOLITION (1)
5 - CANADA ICE (10)
6 - BELGIUM (5)
7 - GERMANY (8)
8 - TEXAS STAMPEDE (6)
9 - Hoveround Lightning (9)
10 - Australia "Development" (7)
11 - At Large (12)
12 - Tampa Generals (11)

~That is all~ Go watch the Super Bowl!