Our Finnish friend Christian Kortman may have recently returned to Helsinki but he continues to play an important role in our Canadian floorball community.  Christian is now our Finnish rep for FLOORBALL CANADA’S National Team Committee.  He will be helping us recruit, assess and select Canadian players living in Finland for upcoming U19 World Floorball Championships.  A huge thank you to Christian.  We are very lucky to have him on board!

Attention Floorballers,

Please Join Us on Saturday, September the 6th at the Bowen Island Public School for a Fun filled 3 on 3 Floorball Tournament, followed by a patio barbeque at Doc Morgans on Bowen Island.

Cost is $25 for the day and includes a minimum of 4 Games.  Food costs are extra.

Bowen Island is easy to get to by Ferry from Horseshoe Bay and the school is a 5 minute walk from the Ferry Terminal.

Below is an interview with our friend Adrian Zimmerman who played Floorball in Vancouver last spring/summer.

He has been on 7 national championship teams in Switzerland and was the leading goal scorer at the World Floorball Championships  in 2006.

It has been a year since Adrian Zimmermann of SVWE played with us here in Vancouver but he still regularily keeps in touch to see what is happening on the Vancouver Floorball scene.  Adrian recently was kind enough to answer a few of our questions about him and his Championship team.

Your team has 4 Swiss National Championships in 5 years.  Have been on the team each time?
Yes, i’m playing 7 years in the first team from SVWE! Before I have played in the junior U-21 team and won 3 times the swiss championships

Have you had basically the same players each year?
Yes, we have many players there stay for a long time in SVWE, that’s important when you will win a championships an play a long time on a high level!

What makes your team so special?
All the quys there play in SVWE will win! Everybody works hard! We have a good trainer and the board of directors work hard for present the club in the region! You must work with the juniors etc!

How do you get ready for a big game?
We look who play the opponent with the team and work hard in the trainings! Short time before the start of a game, about 90minutes I have a big concentration, I listen music for my, goes with the team outside for the warm-up and 45 min before start of the game we doing the warm-up with the goalkeepers! 15min before started the game we go back to the clothes room and the trainer speaks to the team the last time before start of the game!

How do you best contribute to your team?
I’m a hard worker on the field, running and scoring, hard working in the defensive!

Describe your coach in one word.
Winning Person/ he doing all for winning!

Favorite tournament in off season?
Next season we have many highlights! Swiss mastery/EFC in Switzerland and World championships in Czech Republik

Favorite beverage after a game?
In SVWE we have a chocolate regeneration Drink, it is great!

What do you like about floorball?
The speed in the game, technik with the ball, coordination with the body!

Is it possible to have a full time job and play floorball at your level?
Yes is it possible, when you are ready for missing other things, go out with Friends and other things! You don’t have time for this, when you have games on the weekend and 5 times training in the week! Sometimes you have time for this, just not all the time!

As you found out, we have quite a few Swiss who come study in
Vancouver.  Please share your experience in Vancouver to benefit the new students coming.

Go to see the BC floorball boys, there you have a lots of fun an can go out with Perfect peoples!

Favorite night spot? Roxy

Favorite Canadian beer? Yes, canadian beer is ok!
Good spot for food? Lennox pub /Library Square
One place you must visit? Vancouver islands
One thing you must do? Watch a game of the BC lions in the BC stadium
Next time I go, I want to…? Vancouver again
Best scenery? Vancouver islands
Make sure you bring a…..from Switzerland. A gift for the home stay family
(chocolate)

Canada has so far to go in the sport of floorball.  There are so many things we have to do.What should we work on next?
I hope you find a place to change to the big field. That’s the next step
that you guys must do! Work on the technique and speed!

Kind regards from Switzerland

Adrian

Thanks to Chris Muschamps, we are happy to announce that there is new drop in night at Champlain Heights in East Vancouver.  Starting July 4th, we invite you to play on Fridays from 8-10 PM.  Cost is $7.  If you need a stick, rental is $2.  For shower privileges, you need to take out a membership with the CC at $4. Address is 3350 Maquinna Drive.

http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/parks/cc/champlain/index.htm

From time to time, we all experience injury. Wether it slows us down or stops us from playing altogether, injury can be frustrating, annoying or down right depressing. Knowing you are getting proper treatment, can help you eliviate these feelings and help you keep your spirits high on the road to recovery.

Registered Physiotherapist Dana Ranahan (B.ScPT, MCPA, FCAMT, SPC) at Espiritu Healing Arts Center (http://www.espiritu.ca/) on 1st. ave. west in North Vancouver is someone I highly trust and recommend. I have been to more physio that I care to admit lately and Dana clearly stands above others. Dana takes time to full assess your injury and all of your body that is effected by it. She is quick at identifying the problem and finding a positive solution.

The way Dana works a twisted ankle or sore joint by gently and some times, not so gently, pulling, twisting or bending, I see results immediately with increased mobility and flexibility. I say she has magic hands, but I know it is her keen sense, knowledge, experience and love of her job that I am benefiting from. I also get a thoughtful exercise routine, geared to me, to stretch, strengthen and eliminate the problem.

Physio is expensive and with Dana, I pay guilt free knowing I am getting my full monies worth. I also appreciate the fact that she doesn’t try to rebook me three minutes into the session, like others, but simply only when I need to. If there is a part of your body that could use a little attention, do yourself a favor and give Dana a try.

Blair

winners!, originally uploaded by BC Floorball Federation.

2nd Annual BCFF Floorball Challenge SUMMARY

The 2nd annual BCFF Floorball Challenge held on May 24th brought together close to 60 players. Whereas most of the day was for our “older” players, we also invited back all of the kids from the youth tournament to take part in a special mini series. For many, the best part of this tournament was seeing the love of floorball shown in the kids enthusiasm, all the fun they had and all the great plays they pulled off at such a young age.

The tournament brought out an extra effort from many of our regular players. The matches had a lot of electricity and many battles within. Teams were extremely even with most games ending in a simple one goal difference. Top spot could have gone to anyone. Strong goaltending all over was one of the big stories of the day as the games were much lower scoring than anticipated. Greg Beaudin was one of the few that was able to break though with some consistency and ended up as top scorer of the day with 9 points.

The other story that came out of the tournament was the impressive showing by our younger players, of whom some are still only 12 and 13 years old. Because of their strong play over the year, we wanted them to be challenged to a higher level and be part of the BCFF tournament.  It was an immensely difficult task for them to walk on to the court and play against such bigger, faster, players, but after a few shifts, these youngsters quickly settled in to their own game and showed what excellent skill, as well as determination, they have. Not only did they fit in, they all played an important role on their respective teams and had a long list of hard earned compliments from their teammates at the end of the day. Jamie Turner, 12, just 12 years old (I have to repeat it as I don’t believe it), pulled off a hat trick on many a nice play with team captain Christian Kortmann, leading them to victory in the bronze medal final. Jamie had 4 goals and 2 assists on the day giving him third spot on the points leader board! We were extremely proud of all of the younger guys play!

In the gold medal match, Stefan Siegenthaler’s team was up against Greg Beaudin’s. Again, goaltending was excellent at both ends, stopping many nice shoots and end to end rushes. Stefan’s team, of mostly Swiss players, had a tireless effort which was key in holding off the offensive attacks by Greg and the rest of his roster. It was neck and neck right down to the final buzzer, but Stefan’s team came out on top, 2-1.

MVP went to Stefan. It was a treat to watch the 21 year old Langnau Tiger going through two or three players at a time, unloading some wicked shots, if you could see them, that absolutely no-one could stop. Congrats to this years gold medal winners.

Gold Medal Winners:

Stefan Siegenthaler
Scott Douglas
Christian Abaecherli
Har the Journalist
Matthias Nanz
Tobias
Nicholas Durrans
James McLachlan

The Breakaway contest was won by Michael Lindgren’s Team.

Thanks to all of the volunteers who helped out on the day. Thanks to Vincent Chan for taking control of scorekeeping. Thanks to Cafe Artigiano for their kind donation and keeping my coffee addiction in tack. Easily the best coffee house in Vancouver! Also, thanks to Taylors Crossing who took great care of us at the after party.

We had so much fun, we are hoping to have a Summer Tournament in August with some kind of Island/Beach/Deck (or all three) theme on the side. Stayed tuned!

Goalies make good comedians …, originally uploaded by BC Floorball Federation.

Swiss All Stars vs. Vancouver Waveriders

The Swiss All Stars have challenged the Vancouver Waveriders to a
friendly match to take place at MULGRAVE SCHOOL on Thursday, May 28th.
The Waveriders were brave in accepting the challenge as they all too
well remember the spanking they received from the Swiss Players last
year, losing 9-0. Payback says the Waveriders. The team is a
valuable year older and plans to pull out their new play book.

Dear all,

For the very thirsty and hungry, right after tournament, we have reserved a section of Taylors Crossing (MJ Brewery Restaurant Group) in North Vancouver for our post TOURNAMENT PARTY.  Full kitchen and beer/drink menu available.  This is open to ALL players.  Feel free to include family and friends.

To help us accommodate everyone, PLEASE REPLY if you are coming and how many you are coming with.

Taylors Crossing
1035 Marine Dr., North Vancouver
parking out back, as well as underground
604.986.7899

Directions and menu at
http://www.markjamesgroup.com/taylorscrossing.html

If you drink, DON’T DRIVE.  Please make other travels arrangements.

Blair

It was not the match that we had hoped for but a third place in the C division was a one place improvement from 2006 and this is what the players had in mind this morning before their 10am game against Australia.

It did not really show how bad they wanted it though as their last game against Australia, played in front of about 150 spectators, was rather flat. Canada was not convincing at all, with many of their passes getting intercepted in the offensive zone and again showing their weakness in defense.

Following the disappointing loss against Slovakia yesterday, the Canadian players seemed to lack the team chemistry built during the last week but they still found the last bits of energy in them in the second half of the game to increase their lead against Australia and win the game. They had trouble against a team they easily beat 11-1 last week and while they had 51 shots on goal in their previous match-up, they only had 30 shots today against the same team. Sam Garrison was in the goal for Canada for the second time of the Championships stopping 23 of the 28 shots on goals from the Aussies.

Congratulations to Patrice Paré! With his 5 goals and 1 assist in today’s game, he received the player of the game honors.

Slovakia’s team won the C-division today against Spain, beating them rather easily 6-2 in front of 750 very enthusiastic fans. With today’s win, Canada is now ranked 23rd in the world in floorball behind Slovakia and Spain.

Here are the other awards of the championships:

Best forward: Patrick Ducharme, Canada
Best defender: Enrique Gomez, Spain
Best Goalkeeper: David Antic, Serbia

There will be no divisions at the 2010 Championships, but the final standing will affect the ranking of the teams when the ballot is made for the WFC Qualification groups.

____________

Here is where our journey ends this time around and gradually players will be heading back home during the night to catch their flight or will leave during the day tomorrow. The players still have one more night all together tonight at the team dinner to enjoy some time with each other and celebrate a well deserved 3rd place.

Well boys, it was a pleasure to spend the week with you, to spend more time with the ones I knew and to get to know new players and I, for one, can say that I am very proud of how you played this week and am proud to be your #1 fan! J

Go Canada!

FIRST PERIOD

Canada seemed rusty and unmotivated throughout the first period giving Australia good scoring opportunities but it was Stéphane Laporte who scored first to put Canada in the lead, assisted by Patrice Paré at 6:15 into the period. Canada was not as dominating as we had seen earlier during the week and the Quebec line was lucky no goals were scored on the couple of 3-on-1 the Aussies generated. To save the play on an offensive giveaway, Stéphane Laporte got the first penalty of the game for high stick at 15:50 giving Australia a 2 minute one man advantage. Australia blew its power play by also taking a penalty one minute into it for incorrect pushing. Both team played 4-on-4 for about one minute and Canada missed a few good scoring opportunities on their own power play but could not finish off the passes to score. The first period ended with Canada in the lead 1-0.

SECOND PERIOD

Canada had a lot of trouble still in the second period which allowed the Aussies to tie the game with less than 2 minutes played in the period. A few seconds later, Australia took a 2 minute penalty but unlike the previous match between the 2 teams where Canada scored 6 times on as many power plays, this was a completely different match and Canada was multiplying the mistakes and was not as efficient on the power plays.

After receiving a hit in the face not seen by the referees, Patrice Paré went on to score on a pass by Patric Ducharme, Canada was back in the lead 2-1. Australia took another penalty at 10:41 for hitting the stick and this time Canada took advantage of it with Lauri Hannelius increasing the lead by 2 goals at 11:45 on a pass by Philip Schuler. This goal seemed to have woken up Canada a little bit who added to their lead a few seconds later, at 12:16 into the period, when Ryan Andreotti scored the 4th goal for his team. Unfortunately less than 30 seconds later, Australia replied with a goal, it was 4-2.

On a jumping ball that got behind the Aussie goaltender, Lauri Hannelius scored for Canada on a pass by Erik Kaill but the Aussies once again replied right after with a quick goal, it was 5-3. With less than 2 minutes to play in the second period, Patrice Paré scored again on a pass by Patric Ducharme giving a 3 goal lead to Canada at 6-3, which is how the period ended.

THIRD PERIOD

Australia scored a 3:07 into the last period. Canada was still in the lead 6-4 but the Aussies were continuing to attack and taking advantage of the Canadian defensive mistakes. Both teams then had good chances of scoring but it was Patrice Paré who scored again on a pass by Simon Leblanc with a little less than 10 minutes to play in the game. It was 7-4 for Canada.

As it often has been the case, Canada did not take advantage of the momentum and allowed the Aussies to score a few moments later; we were back with a 2-goal lead at 7-5. Patrice Paré beat the goaltender for the fourth time of the game on a pass by Patric Ducharme and then Randy Sa’d increased to the Canadian lead a few seconds later at 12:56 on a pass by Seppo Lattu: it was now 9-5 for Canada. Canada was on a roll and following an Aussies’ defensive mistake, Patrice Paré scored yet again, his fifth of the game on a pass by Sascha Weber with less than 5 minutes to play in the game.

Eero Piilokivi took a penalty for Canada for incorrect hit at 16:23 giving a chance to Australia to get back in the game, which they once again blew by getting a penalty as well 15 seconds later, obliging both teams to play 4-on-4.

With less 30 seconds to play in the game, Canada took a penalty for having too many on the field but it was too little too late for Australia and Canada won the game, finishing in third place of the C division.

Final Score: Canada 10 – Australia 5

For the official game stats, please visit:

http://www.floorball.org/default.asp?sivu=5&alasivu=251&kieli=826

http://www.floorball.org/joukkuekortti.asp?joukkue_id=1203341711&sarjaId=20&dbSarja=1203340296

To watch the games live on Web TV, please visit:

http://www.robur.sk/floorball/schedule-sk.php

Sophie-Anne Ferland

In early May, Vancouver has another Swiss Champion coming to join our floorball community. Stefan Siegenthaler is part of the Langnau Tigers in the Under 21 league. The Tigers just defeated SV Wiler-Ersigen to take the Swiss U-21 Championship on Saturday. Stefan will be here studying English.

Congratulations Stefan and we look forward to welcoming you to Vancouver. http://www.unihockeytigers.ch/

Vancouver Floorball is also excited to see the return of Arek and Marcelina at the begining of May, after spending two years in Toronto. Arek is one of our original players here. He has a long background in floorball and is a former member of the Polish National Team. He is a key player, volunteer, leader for our group. Safe travels home and see you at the Roundhouse!