If you're wanting to get in touch with members of the team at the new hotel, you can reach them at (205) 968-3775. The other number listed in a handout you may have received doesn't work.

The team changed hotels last night, moving into much nicer digs at the Mariott in Birmingham, Alabama.  They had been at the Holiday Inn for the previous few days, and were glad to move on since the air conditioning units weren't always working very well.  It's brutally hot down there at this time of year, and although many Canadians dismiss the concept of having a/c, it's a necessity in that sort of climate.  After a bit of room juggling to get the low pointers into the more accessible rooms at the new hotel, things quieted down after a second day of team practices.

The practices were sporadically scheduled, but the organizers had to accomodate a wide number of teams who were looking for training times, including some basketball teams from Down Under. Speaking of basketball, the Canadian women's team just came in last night, as their training schedule has them staying long after the rugby groups have left the facility.

There is a one-hour time difference between Birmingham and Ottawa. It's now about 11:00 am here in the Capital, and the game between Les Nordiques and the top US team is now underway. That game will be immediately followed by Canada Ice taking on the US second squad. I expect to get an update from the team after that second game, so look for another posting to come about 2:00-2:30 Ottawa time.

~That is all~