Dunedin Ice Hockey Association

Spring DIHL: Week 6

Next week’s finals are now decided. Consolation matches are: for the B grade, Bullfrogs vs. The Chiefs and for the A grade, Stars vs. FYC. The Championship matches are between the Midgets and Superfly in the B grade and between Bears and Jets in the A grade.

This week’s MVPs were: Robert Morgan for Superfly, Kara Ross for the Bullfrogs, Callan McLaughlin for the Jets, Regan Wilson for FYC, Steph Patchett for the Midgets, Jordan Campbell for The Chiefs, Israel Lewis for the Bears and Mallory Handcock for the Stars.

More importantly than scores and MVPs, there are a couple issues I’d like to address. In last night’s game between Midgets and The Chiefs, I, as an A grade player, played for The Chiefs. My decision to play was not to influence the outcome of the game but to fill in for missing players (no B grade reserves were available). The outcome of the game was inconsequential as the Midgets had a guaranteed spot in the finals and The Chiefs would be playing in the consolation against the Bullfrogs. I thought my playing in the game appropriate for two reasons: a) I had been helping out most of The Chiefs players at adult beginner training sessions for the last year and a half and thought, if anything, it would be helpful for The Chiefs players; b) I thought the Midgets, being the leading team in the B grade so far, would, if anything, benefit from playing against more experienced opposition.

If I have misjudged the situation, and players on either side (but specifically the Midgets) did not enjoy the game or thought it was unfair, I would like to make a sincere apology to these players. My motivation to organise this league was, and still is, to improve ice-hockey in Dunedin by improving the standard of play in the DIHL.

On a separate issue, the Jets/FYC game on Tuesday was an obsolute disgrace. I hope the up and coming players in Dunedin do not look to that kind of behaviour as respectable or even acceptable. I hope the responsible individuals have the integrity to admit to ruining the game and wasting the time of everyone involved.

League standings and schedule for the finals next week are attached.

Also, there are a few players who have not paid yet. If you haven’t paid and don’t pay before the next game DO NOT expect to play.

See you next week.

Pete

Spring DIHL 2009 Standings-WEEK 6

Spring DIHL 2009 FINALS Schedule