regions recap

It has been 52 (FIFTY TWO) years (YEARS) since our little community of Hallock has sent a hockey team to state. So, yes, my 11-year-old brother's PeeWee team taking the 1st seed at the north region tournament in Silver Bay and therefore advancing to the state tournament in Cottage Grove (which is to be held the weekend of the 15th) is kind of a big deal. And my goodness, I don't think I could be any more proud of them.





CLEARLY.

Like always, the boys had to have ONE exciting game at tournament time that leaves the fans biting their nails to the quick and the coaches popping heartattackprevention pills (or, in my dad's case, an extra-large dip of snus). Much like their second game at districts (when they beat East Grand Forks 5-3 after going into the third period winning 5-0), their second game (against Ely) at regionals was an awfully close one (5-4). After the second period, I had to go sit in the warming area to watch the rest of the game (something I NEVER do); otherwise, I probably would have embarrassed myself in front of the whole rink. When we scored that 5th goal, I yelped and jumped out of my seat, then looked at a parent from another team (ironically, East Grand Forks) and said, "Sorry, I know they're just 11 years old!"

He laughed, FYI.




VIEW FROM THE WARMING AREA.

For our last game at regionals, the PeeWees took on Bemidji Blue (the same team we had to beat to get first place at Districts) for the fourth time this year. I myself was so nervous for this game because I knew they were tired of losing to us and they were going to do absolutely everything in their power to beat our team. After we got the first goal, I got a little tear in my eye; after the second, I think I peed a little. Our boys wound up winning 5-0. I believe only 14 minutes of the whole weekend was spent in the penalty box, and the four (five if you count Ben) players out on the ice killed the power play every time.

It has been so fun watching them play all winter long, and they are heading into this tournament technically 26-0 (28-1 if you want to count the tourney in Devils Lake, where they lost to a team from Altona, MB). Special thanks to the folks at Red River and Grace for saying a little prayer for them at church on Sunday :)




WE'RE NUMBER 1!

In other, non-hockey-related news, the Duluth area scenery is lovely:





DUHLOOT.

Sister Bailey and I are planning on making the North Shore drive this summer, and I can't wait!

And also, this reminded me of Pocahontas:





COME RUN THE HIDDEN PINE TRAILS OF THE FOREST...LA LA LA

And one more thing, it's snowing here at home right now. A lot.





I LOVE YOU, MINNESOTA.

Love,

Kalli