Countdown Beijing-Uncharted territory
6/21/08
Wow – this has been quite a ride. The ball has been bouncing our way a little bit. They always say that when you are good you tend to create your own luck. We have been a little lucky but I think it is because we are pretty good. We are making some mistakes but we are staying together and fighting through it.
Tonight we were a little fatigued and emotionally drained. We built a 5 – 2 lead on the Australians only to see that evaporate. At the end of three quarters it was 5 – 5. Australia had gained all the momentum. We grabbed it back with two quick goals but then Australia came right back and tied it up. The game ended in a 7 – 7 tie. In World League play all tie games go directly to a shootout. We shot first and made ours. In fact, the first three shooters on both teams made their shots and then the 4th Australian missed his shot. All we had to do was score on our next shot. Ryan Bailey our big center was our shooter. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as he lined up for his shot. The Australian goalie made a huge save on Ryan and now it was up to the last Aussie to make his shot. There last shooter undoubtedly felt the pressure and his shot was off of the bar to seal the victory for Team USA.
We are in the finals. We are the first USA Men’s team to reach the finals since World League began eight years ago. We will be facing a tough Serbian team that has been demolishing all of its opponents. They beat Monte Negro today 12 – 3. We will have our hands full against these guys. Watching them play they do not have many weaknesses. It is kind of like our young hockey team in 1980 going up against the powerful Russian team. We may be a bit out matched in some areas but when a team is on a roll who knows what will happen. I am excited about tomorrow. We can win this thing…
We have come a long way this week. I am proud of what our team has accomplished. We definitely have a lot of things to work on but things are coming together.
See you at the pool tomorrow for the gold medal game!
Coach
Wow – this has been quite a ride. The ball has been bouncing our way a little bit. They always say that when you are good you tend to create your own luck. We have been a little lucky but I think it is because we are pretty good. We are making some mistakes but we are staying together and fighting through it.
Tonight we were a little fatigued and emotionally drained. We built a 5 – 2 lead on the Australians only to see that evaporate. At the end of three quarters it was 5 – 5. Australia had gained all the momentum. We grabbed it back with two quick goals but then Australia came right back and tied it up. The game ended in a 7 – 7 tie. In World League play all tie games go directly to a shootout. We shot first and made ours. In fact, the first three shooters on both teams made their shots and then the 4th Australian missed his shot. All we had to do was score on our next shot. Ryan Bailey our big center was our shooter. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as he lined up for his shot. The Australian goalie made a huge save on Ryan and now it was up to the last Aussie to make his shot. There last shooter undoubtedly felt the pressure and his shot was off of the bar to seal the victory for Team USA.
We are in the finals. We are the first USA Men’s team to reach the finals since World League began eight years ago. We will be facing a tough Serbian team that has been demolishing all of its opponents. They beat Monte Negro today 12 – 3. We will have our hands full against these guys. Watching them play they do not have many weaknesses. It is kind of like our young hockey team in 1980 going up against the powerful Russian team. We may be a bit out matched in some areas but when a team is on a roll who knows what will happen. I am excited about tomorrow. We can win this thing…
We have come a long way this week. I am proud of what our team has accomplished. We definitely have a lot of things to work on but things are coming together.
See you at the pool tomorrow for the gold medal game!
Coach
posted by Dr. Terry Schroeder at
9:00 PM
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