WUG 2009 - wug2009harbin

Keep-up the great work Paul -

We're all real proud of you bud.

Thanks for all the updates...and getting food to our starving boys!  I am trying to decide what food I should make for Jarrett when he comes home on Sunday....basically it seems like he will be happy with anything!!

Have a safe and uneventful trip home.  Jim and I are truly thankful for your blog!

Great stuff!! 

I love the security "list" and the initial cab ride story! Also, sounds like you'll come home 10 lbs lighter and with your body temp a couple degrees colder! Wow, that there is some serious ICE! At least the beer doesn't get warm when you set the bottle down on the bar!

What a great experience...keep the updates coming!

I am now home --- "THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME"--- and pizza

Thursday saw China facing the US to decide who would finsih in 7th and 8th place.  This game had a better conclusion for Team USA.  The boys won this game 9 to 2, and finished the tournament in 7th place.  This is the best finish since the US joined World University Games (WUG) in 2001.

Paul has a free day Friday 27th.  The closing ceremony is on Saturday the 28th.  At the conclusion of the closing ceremony the WUG players all trade their team clothing to other competitors.  Late Sunday afternoon, Paul lands back in Chicao

Friday February 13, 2009 the members of the USA Men’s Ice Hockey WUG 2009 team assembled in .  The Team played 3 exhibition games at Center Ice Arena here in .  This is the 1st time these players have been on the ice as a team.  USA team played 3 exhibition games this weekend beginning Friday Feb 13 with USA team facing DePaul University (USA 6 - DePaul 2), Saturday was a WUG College alumni game (USA 5 - Alumni 4) and on Sunday the 2009 WUG team faced Robert Morris College.  The boys will grab a flight Monday morning, February 16 for that lonnnnnng plane ride of about 19 hours to .  Opening ceremony is the Wednesday February 18th.  Harbin is 14 hours ahead based on USA Central Time Zone.

The team schedule is:

Feb 19th at 230pm (130am CST)

Feb 22 at 7pm (5am CST)

Feb 23 at 830pm (630am CST)

Feb 25 at 330pm (130am CST)

If the USA does well they will continue to play towards the metal rounds.......

the team departed from Chicago O'Hare this afternoon, Monday 16th at approximately 1230pm Central

Last night we went to watch the women’s figure skating team in their last competition. They skated well but unfortunately they didn't the night before and that hurt them in their overall scoring.  They ended up finishing in fourth place. The women’s figure skating team was expected to be in the metals round hunt.

After the event was over we headed back to the hotel and once we got into the Olympic village we found out we had to head to the cafeteria.  When we arrived we found a large cake waiting for us.  5 people celebrated there birthdays so far during this trip.  It was a regular cake with vanilla frosting.  However upon further inspection we discovered what appeared to be halves of grape tomatoes on the side of the cake. Yup we were right. I've never seen that before on a cake and figured there was no way those two taste good together so I just picked them off, everyone else seemed to do the same.

Today we had a team breakfast followed with some team meetings to get ready for our game against . If we win this game we would advance into the medal round so needless to say this game was very important.

First period didn't start out as well as we planned.  There were a couple penalties early with scoring on one power play.  However we turned it on in the last 5 minutes of the period and netted two goals to give us a 2-1 lead going into the second.  This was a great outcome because we did not play well at all in the 1st
period.

The 2nd period was just more of the 1st...Lots of penalties.   netted two power play goals to put them up 3-2 at the end of the second.  Everyone realizes that we need to win in regulation and I think it got everyone really tense.

In the first 3 minutes of the 3rd period converted on a 2 on 1 to make it 4-2.  However it was still early so we were still in it.  But no more than two minutes later they score on a breakaway and go up 5-2.  That was pretty much the back breaker.  We threw all kinds of stuff at the goalie we just couldn't get anything to fall in.   Just seemed as though the bounces weren’t going our way. 

We pulled the goalie late in the period after getting a goal with 3 minutes left to play.  came back and scored on the empty net with 5 seconds remaining in the 3rd.  Theat would be the final scoreJapan 6 USA 3.  We played a terrible defensive game and took way to many penalties something that we couldn't afford in such a big game.

Because of the loss we fall from second in our bracket to fourth and we will play for 7th and 8th place tomorrow Feb 26th at 3:30pm (130am Central). It was a pretty tough pill to swallow but I think everyone has had a great time over here.   We just wished we could have capitalized on our opportunities a little better and play for a metal.

Paul's update Feb 24

It's been a while since I was last able to send an update. We've had games on back to back days which means we haven’t had to much free time on our hands.

Two days ago we played . They are favored to be the second best team, with the Russians being the favorite in our bracket and pretty much thought to make it to the medal round. So needless to say the Slovakian’s are a very good team.  They were very tall, almost all of them 6 foot plus. They moved the puck very well but we found that they don't like to be hit.  Slovakians think the Americans play a cheap physical game of hockey.

Before the game we had a pre-game skate and had one right before us
and who we play later on had one right after so both of the teams were
in our rink to watch us skate. Knowing that was already scared of us
we decided to play some head games. We staged a fight between two of our guys. This really freaked them out. They thought we were nuts.

When the Slovakian game time rolled around everyone was really motivated to win. We knew that we needed to win this game in order to advance to the medal round.  Needless to say everyone was ready to go. We got off to a slow start and put two in early. We fought back to make it 2-1 and they came back late in the period to make it 3-1.  Even down by two goals we played well and we have them on their heels with our physical style. The second period came around and we ended up netting a goal to making it 3-2.  scored two goals in the third taking the lead 4-3. But was able to net a goal half way through and tie it at 4 a piece.

Tied at the end of regulation we headed to a 5 minute four on four over time with each team having a quality chance or two to score to win for the game for their country.

With the score still tied at the end of  4 on 4 over time we went into a shootout. We scored on our first shot and I made the save on there'. Both teams missed on their second shot. We missed on our third and they scored to even things up. Now we went into one shooter a piece for sudden death shootout. I and the other goalie stopped the next 12 shooters. Finally we scored, we are up by 1, and I make the save on the Slovakian shooter.  TEAM wins!!

The next day we played . They are favored as the best team in the tournament. scored early and often. Almost every goal they scored was a back door pass. They moved the puck extremely well. At the end of the first we we are down 4-0 and we cannot get our offense on track. The second period was much of the same with them netting 3 goals. Even for all the goals I thought I played really well, only one goal I think I could have had. The coaches gave me the third period off to rest since I will be playing against .

In the third period USA only gave up 1 goal to make the final score of 8-0. We knew that it was going to be a tough game but nothing really changed. As long as we beat tomorrow we will make it to the medal round. 

Later today we are heading to McDonalds for some American food and then heading over to the rink to watch the figure skating team compete.

Hopefully we play well against and are able to advance to the medal
round. I'll update again after our game against

Dad’s Recap Feb 24^th—

Thanks again Kevin--- Business class !!!!!

Sitting here on the plane heading back home from almost a perfect week… to be perfect, I needed to have Colleen and Kathy to share in the adventure --- I did miss having both of them be a part of this.  The long flight east gives me a chance to reflect.  Colleen, Paul’s sister has been a true supporter and most likely, without her support, none of this would have been possible……

If anyone told me back when Paul first started to play hockey (15years ago) that I would be sitting in a ice rink in China watching him be a part of a USA team that would battle Peoples Republic of Korea, Slovakia, Russia---- I would of laughed and grabbed a beer.

The days of Mite hockey were fun with teammates/parents; Cashman, Jelen, Moore, Taffe, Matz, Fienstien, to name a few --- almost every weekend traveling to some rink, the kids would play a hockey game then off to the hotel, check-in and meet at the pool with our blenders, coolers --- next day the kids would play another game and then we head home.  That got our family hooked !!!!

Well let’s recap—

Harbine:

• Is the #2 beer consuming city in the World (we helped)
• Has an Ice Festival that is unbelievable and COLD
• The cabbies will execute a turn from any lane, and traffic lights/lane configurations/speed limits are just suggestions that do not need to be followed.
• Very little English spoken in
• The people of are TERRIFIC
• I feel sorry for women who use bathrooms in ; those squatter toilets are brutal!!!
• You can enjoy some strange foods and survive
• Yes they still eat dog in , NO we did not eat dog….but saw the restaurants

Hockey:

• The food sucks
• team can adapt to each game situation
• The team can come from behind to win
• Shoot-outs --- gotta love ‘em, as long it not your kid in the nets
• No matter what the score was the team will give it their all for 60 minutes
• team wins and losses as a team, both done with pride and respect
• I hope that team plays well against and get a chance to compete in the metal round

Well as I wing my way back home the first thing that pops into my mind is ---- “There is No place like home Toto”.  I will keep everyone updated here on this site as to what is taking place with regards to the team and Paul as they chase a metal.

I will keep posting when I here from the parents remaining or from Paul

My (Dad) Day Monday Feb 23

Let’s just pick it up after breakfast--- Operation Save the USA Men’s Team Hockey is back in is being recalled into action.  Foods needed, bread, cereal, tuna fish, mayo (I wouldn’t try mayo from here) and of course the source of energy and strength – Oreo cookies !!!

We hit the grocery store and grab 20 cans of tuna, 6 loafs of bread, mayo 10 packs of Oreo…. And other misc foods.  The mayo was extremely difficult to find--- our attempts to track and bag brands of cereal came up short : (

It was such a sight to see 9 parents walking wondering around the grocery store you had to laugh--- we were not exactly walking because the kids were off the ice in about 1 hour…. We still had to deal with getting over to the rink.  The Chinese wacky game shows—this could have been a new Chinese game show.  We were scrambling from aisle to aisle looking for the difficult to find items--  the show would be title “Guess how many foods the Americans can find”

We check out and head to Macs---  pick up 40 burgers and a bunch of fries….jump into cabs…. Horns are beeping people are yelling… it is NUTS !!!  We have big bags of food, we are big people and the taxis are small VWs from the ’80.  The cabs are so small that 3 of us can fit in the back if  we all suck it in. We need to get to the rink before the team leaves or we have to keep the food until tomorrow.  Off we go to the rink !!!

We jump out of our Sardine container (Taxis) and everyone grabs the bags--- version of a Chinese fire drill !!!!  Walk the 4 blocks---- just in time the first player is coming out from the locker-room…. Word quickly spread that we are there with food…. We are overrun !!!!  Even the coaches jokingly said if  they do not get a burger quickly there would be nothing but skating drill at the next practice….  The boys grab the food and they are off.  Big game tonight vs. !!!

The plan is to go find souvenirs for WUG 2009, we have seen none !!!  We head over to the ice skating venue---  I ask a couple of WUG staffers where to find jackets, shirts etc.  The girls tell me “no - no” they do not have any here…. What a missed marketing opportunity !!!  As we regroup to move on the girl come over and say they will take a picture with me in a WUG staffer coat--- well I do not want to insult our host country’s people….  We swap coats and take a couple for pictures----  what could be more fun than have 4 – 5 young girls ask to have a picture taken with you : )

We are now off to the Chinese version of flea market---  kinda like on steroids….  Take a look at the couple of pictures from the market…what fun.  After about an hour we notice it is late and we need to get to the restaurant for dinner.  We are having BBQ (Yeah right).  The resaurant is BBQ but the meat is rubbed with the spices.  There are a couple of pictures from the restaurant.  Those that know me, know I left hungry !!!  I do not pick at bones or like fat, grizzle---  But it was blast…

After dinner a quick cab ride to the arena to watch vs. .  The Russians were expected to win the WUG 2 years ago and lost to the Canadians !!!!  This year they will NOT fail to win the gold.  Word out ion the street they have talent, skill, size and a few pros…..  It is 15seconds into the game and you can see these boys (Russian) were not taught by their parents at a young age to play nice with other people.

Within 45 seconds the goalie pushes out into an USA player and dives as if he was hit---  a penalty ----  I will not go into a lot of detail---The Russian Army team from the 60s, 70s and 80s team are back !!!

The game is UGLY, but we did not get any disqualifications or injuries !!!!  At the end of the 1 st it is Russia 4 USA 0….  The 2 nd starts like the previous, VERY physical, speed ahead—end of 2 it is Russian 7 USA 0 (Paul faced 24 shots in the period).  We played a lot of Penalty Kill (shorthanded).

Steven Yu starts the 3 rd and had some big saves— the final is Russia 8 USA 0.  After the game we head out to meet the players after they shower and clean up.  As they exit we clamp for the boys---- I find Paul and ask if his is those Russians had cannons for slap shots…  Paul asks me to check out his neck---  Paul says his back of the neck must be sunburned and hurts…  HUH--- this is China and the temp is 9 degrees… it is dark outside but I look – Just as I am looking he says he feels he got sun burnt from the red light being on sooooo much.  The red light is the light behind the goal that is turned on when the team puts the put in the net---- HAHAHAH I feel for it !!!!

Paul also goes on to say that with 7 goals being score on him--- he has NEVER had soooooo much fun !!!!  That sums it up !!!

Well, they boys will have a practice Tuesday, then the Team will head out to a market, watch the synchronized skating team compete.  The parents will be delivering Mac again and then tonight the coach approved the parents delivering Pizza Hut to the Village for the team.

Next Game is the 25 here against Japan, and if the team can we they are into the metal round…..keep your fingers crossed no USA team has gotten to the metal round in the WUG tournament.

Hey OD if makes the metals they will face the Canadian team….the Canadian team is awesome !!!  Could be the battle of .

We gotta pack and head out I start my journey back to the States, at 1pm Tuesday and arrive back at O’Hare at 430pm Tuesday

My (Dad) Day Sunday Feb 22

Slovakia vs USA at 7pm Sunday Feb 22

It is now Monday the 23^rd---   I am sorry I did not get this up earlier !!!

WOW

The day is a blurrrrrrr--- along with the night

What a game last night.   Paul got the start against the Slovakian team in the nets.  

Period 1 found the USA trailing 3 to 1.  The boys responded in the second period--- the hitting and passing picked up.  This is beginning to shape up as a great game !!!  At the conclusion it is now Slovakia 3 and USA 2 --- the team is battling back.  In period 3 we thought we saw it all...  the intensity pick up !!!  A very physical period.  The US team find the back of the net early...but the Slovakians answer right back... the US is donw by 1 agin 4 to 3.  With about 6 minutes left in regulation Sweezy for the US come up big and SCORES !!!  it is tied at 4.... when time ran out.  Now moving into the 5 minute overtime it is 4 on 4 hockey.  Both teams had a couple of chances even though the teams a cautious not to make a mistake......  time expires and we move on to a shootout to find out who will grab the win.

The rules are-- each team supplies 3 players to take a breakaway shot on the posing goaltender.  The team that leads at the end of the 3 man shootout wins.  Needless to say, the shoot out is filled with drama and EXCITEMENT !!!  It is tied after the 3 man shootout --- 1 to 1…..  Now it is sudden death shootout, with each team alternating breakaways….

I thought “Hey let’s call home it is only 730AM Sunday and share the experience”--- Kathy got to hear my play by play---  I will not make it as an announcer--She loves the rollercoaster ride of the shoot out !!!

Both goalies put on a show for the fans ---  The Slovakian goaltender would make a huge save-- Paul would answer right back— Paul would get scored on and his teammate would answer by beating the Slovakian goalie---  the 12th shooter was DeLorenzo for the USA.  Delo,  needs to beats the Slovakian goalie and put the puck in the net ---Delo steps up to the challenge --- the puck finds the back of the net --- 

Now if Paul makes the next save on the Slovakian player , US will win….  The Slovakian grabs the puck at center ice, Paul push out aggressively from his net -- sets up in his stance and is tracking the puck.  The Shooter -- deeks left, then right,  the back left--- Paul is patient, following the puck lessening the gap between the puck and him shrink, Paul pushes across the goal crease--- a shot ---

USA WINS IN OVERTIME !!!!  The place went crazy !!! 

This wins is sooooo huge --- if  can win 1 of the next 2 games, will be in the metal round.  The team will face later today (Monday) at 8pm (6am Central).  The Russian are huge--- physical and a scoring machine.  Then on Wednesday will matchup against …..

More details on the celebration to come later--- gotta start my day—breakfast awaits - MMMMMM

My (Dad) Day Saturday February 21

No sense to report on breakfast—no change food is the same and temperature in the room is mid 50’s.

The plan for today is shopping—support of the Chinese economy.   Five of us head off in two cabs, Lilith, Keith and Cheryl Liang, Michele O’Bannon and myself jump into 2 cabs.  The Liang family speaks Chinese; we would have had a VERY difficult experience here in .  As we are traveling the streets of the snow has been flying most of the morning.  The snow is very fine due to the extreme cold tempitures.  The kids make snowmen, by making a pile of snow and making a face in the top of the snow mound…..the snow just does not pack down, but kids will be kids and play in the snow.

As we motor along, Lilith Liang is speaking to the driver who says he has a better place to shop.  The plan is to follow the driver’s advice; we drive through the snowy streets crowded street.  There are motor cycles, old bikes with small carts attached to the back of the bike.  Cannot image riding a bike in this cold 7 degrees F…. and the weather is warming.  January Harbin sees temps in the -25 to -50 degrees F.

The financial wizards (US parents) arrive at an old multi story building…. Sorry fans but I did not take many pics….  Entering the building first impression--- we are gonna get mugged !!!  Heading down the dark cold hallway the drive pushes open the grey steel door and ----in the light--- hundreds of people appear.  Each floor is section by product, Electronics, purse/clothing, small appliances etc.

I will not bore you with the shopping details---  we travel from shop to shop.  After a couple of hours we break for lunch --- KFC.  KFC is similar to KFC in the States, I notice a few different items, crab claw puffs---  The Harbin people seem to love KFC -- We wait for a table before ordering.  Find a table and Keith and I head to the counter-- Keith Liang helps me place my order-- a Chicken wrap meal.  I did not make any additions/deletions to the standard meal.  Turns out on the wrap is BBQ sauce, pickle strip, mayo (I think it was mayo, but not quite sure), and a diet Pepsi with NO ice. 

We finish and it is more shopping, we cannot find ANY World University Games apparel or souvenirs.  The snow has been flying all day, no snow plows here. The sidewalks are made of granite or Mable bricks….  Can you imagine, uneven marble bricks --- snow…  I wanna come back here as a personal injury attorney.  The sidewalks are a challenge for us westerns….slick covered with snow and ice….  We finally head back from shopping, not a very successful shopping safari.

We did visit a Russian church built in the early 1900’s.  was controlled by until came to push out the Russian in the 1930’s.  The Japanese wanted the in area, it is very rich with natural resources.  The Chinese pushed out the Japanese during WWII era.

Dinner will Hot Pot style, as we know it fondue style.  We have appetizer consisting of peanuts and wait while the broth heats up.  First added is the Winter Mellon with Scallops.  After each item is added you place a ladle into the broth and scoop.  The this was somewhat bland…next came the additional of shrimp, leafy vegetable, mushrooms and a couple of other items… just poor memory retention today.   Now the flavors begin to come alive.  The group dines, and relives the adventures of the day, shopping, slip and sliding through the streets of .

Next octopus joins the mix –  more eating and scooping out the mixture of shrimp, scallops, vegetables… now strips of lamb are added.  The strips are cut very similar to thick cut bacon.  A few ladles of the mixture and now comes beef, same more ladling, eating and good conversation.  Abalone is next to join the Hot Pot mixture followed later by Chinese lettuce.  Finally most of the ingredients are consumed…. The broth remains, Keith tell us this is the best part---soup.  He was right, that was GREAT soup/broth.  The bill is paid, 70RMB ($12 US).  The server comes back with tickets ---- restaurant scratch off style lottery tickets for each of us… wow I was the only winner 5RMB (80 cents US ).  This will be put to good use, the cab ride.  Grab a couple of cabs and we are off back to hotel, we have been gone since 1030are and arrive back to the hotel at 10pm.

A couple of side notes:

Once the sun goes down, WOW the temps drop to -0 quickly and the winds pick up.

Bathrooms outside the hotels i.e. in restaurants, in shops, (I am not brave enough to enter a public restroom) ---  Toilets are porclineon holes on the floor, squat, do your thing…. just remember to bring your paper !!!  Ladies I feel for you, at least we have urinals

Well gotta run to Sunday morning breakfast.   I am hoping to see Paul later today after the team practice.  He is scheduled to start tonight, Sunday 7pm (Sunday 5am Central) against a very strong Slovakian team.

Paul’s day (Friday February Feb 20)

We started the day with a team breakfast. The food choices are pretty much the same as every other day, terrible.  After our meal we go into a quick stretch and some do running to get our legs loosened up. A little later we got ready, jumped on the bus and headed to the rink.

We started the game against the Peoples Republic of Korea (PRK) going up 1-0 then Korea came back to score two unanswered goals to finish the first period 2-1. The second period consisted of trading goals and at the end of the second period it was up 3-2. After knocking out all the nerves we started to settle down and play our style of hockey and netted two unanswered goals putting us up 4-3.   rallied back and scored late in the period to tie it up at 4 a piece. After Steven Yu (USA) denied a couple late quality scoring chances on our penalty kill we were headed to over time. After killing off the rest of the penalty in overtime we ended up netting a goal of a rebound to win 5-4. We didn’t' play our best hockey but it was enough to get the win and I think we learned a lot from the game. On the way home everyone was talking about all their favorite foods they missed or what there first meal was going to be when they get back. You know the food is terrible when you’re talking like that and it's only been two days. After the game we came back to the village and were hung out with some of the other athletes.

Today we had a practice at 2pm. Practice was pretty easy just did a couple
drills and walked through some of our systems. After practice we went back to
the village got changed and got word that we were heading to McDonalds!!
Finally no dorm food for the night. Everything there tasted pretty much like
it does back home. We pretty much had to point to what you wanted so there
wasn't anything of "having it your way". After McDonalds we headed to the "". This is a little tiny city that is completely built out of ice. Inside
all the ice are all kinds of colored lights that flash and change color. I
felt like a little kid at Christmas. There is no really way to describe this
except for the pictures that I’ll share when I get back.

My Day (Dad) Friday February 20

Check out Paul’s insight from the athlete’s point of view.  They play on Sunday at 7pm here against , which is Sunday at 5am Central time

Seems I cannot sleep past 4am here !!!!  At 8am I'm headed down to meet the other USA hockey parents, of which there are about 9 of us here.  I see breakfast looks the same, eggs, vegetables, noodle, cakes, soups, dumpling, pigs ear and other items I am not quite sure if they are animal vegetable or mineral.

Did I mention that it is so cold here we eat breakfast with our coats on?  The smart parents we are (yeah right) we figured out not to get coffee first and then food--- the coffee is COLD by the time we get food. … there is no line or waiting for food, that is how fast everything gets cold. 

We have a driver and a guide set up for today, since the hockey team does not have a game until Sunday---and we do not have access to see the boys---sightseeing is in order.  The cost of the van, driver and guide is $15.00 per person for the day….

During breakfast a couple of the parents talked to their sons… the message--- hockey team needs food--- the poor boys are starving.  It seems the food choices in the are not geared towards the American tastes.   Some of the kids are eating just bread and jelly sandwiches, noodles with red sauce with carrots and pickles mixed into the sauce, or just rice….  Did I mention the Korean team brought their own food and cooks?

Operation Save the US Hockey Team from Starvation (HAHA)—we head off to the local market to pick up whatever we can find, that look familiar.  We find oatmeal, Chips Ahoy, Pretzels, Snickers bars and jars of Peanut butter…..  no breakfast bars, no power bars, no Gatorade Aide—but we did find Coke and Pepsi.  We will deliver the food, hopefully (remember we do not have access to the boys) ---we will try to talk our way to where the boys exit the ice facility and jump on their team bus.

We have time before the team gets off the ice from their practice slot, so we head off to Tiger Park.  PETA people please relax….  There are over 600 Tigers, Lions, Panthers etc roaming throughout the preserve.  I up loaded a couple of the pictures, the animals are very close.  This would never be built in US you can open up the bus window (but it is cold 6 degrees).  I have a pic of a leopard that jumped up right in front of me !!  There was 4 inches between me and the Leopard on the fence… I did not us a zoom to get that shot, he is only 4 inches away and I could have put my though the chain link and given him a scratch--- if I was an idiot !!!

Also you could feed the tiger, lions, etc for $10 RMB (about a $1.50 US) and for 20 RMB ($3.00 US) you could feed them a live chicken….. no one did that---  PETA people please sit down !!!

We had a little extra time, there is a small patch of  land that still is Russian territory,

--- let’s go visit Russian.  It is off to Russia, we get a Russian visa and we are in---  Walk around a few shops and find a bar--- we settle in have Vodka and beer.  On the way, we all realize there is no bathroom only an outhouse---at it is 5-7 degrees out here… that will be fun for the ladies.  Two outhouses (WHEW the SMELL was terrible) but only one is open and that door does not lock or close properly.  Being the gentlemen we are, one gent holds the door for the ladies and the rest of us gents find the bushes--- this in the middle of the afternoon, no leave on the bushes—I do not think we were well hidden.

Off to the rink, the team should be getting off the ice by the time we arrive there--- we are hoping to see them boys and get them their food.  Success, we get access to the exit.  The boys start to come out and we get to spend about 10 minutes with them.  I talk with Paul, he is doing get and is cleared to play by the team physician.  The team is taking a road trip for diner-----Paul is SOOOOO looking forward to McDonalds for diner, as all the boys….something food they know (maybe).  Not all McDonald's are not the same, they use their local meat for burgers.  The boys grab the food and beverages that we brought for them and head off to jump on the bus.

Next on our agenda is lunch/diner.  We have not eaten since breakfast.  This seems to becoming a theme, good for the weight lose program I started since my arrival here in .  The food of choice is Russian….Harbin was originally a Russian City--- Russian food it is !!!  And beer of course.  We have Borsch (Duck Blood Soup) and some kind of meat, beef I believe -- I hope it was beef.

It is now about 630pm here, we jump into the van and head over to the Ice City.  The pictures will not do it justice…. The cost to enter is a whopping 100RMB ($15.00 US).  Jumping out of the van we are stunned by the cold, it is a balmy -5 or even colder.  The plan is to tour for an hour and then head out--- we lasted 30 minutes.  To use the camera we had to take off our gloves, open our jackets, the cameras were inside to stay warm and functional.  Snap a picture or two quickly and reverse the process.  Our camera batteries were gone after about 15-20 minutes.  You will see a pic from atop the ice slide--- YES we all went down the slide.  In fact if you leaned back on your jacket (nylon) you could REALLY fly down the ice.  It was cold and tough on the butt and back.  The ice was not smooth – bumpy !!!

We arrived back to the hotel the party animals we parents are at 830pm.  And that was how I spent my Friday in Harbin.  Well it is almost 7am on Saturday here--- time to get shower, put my coat on and head down for breakfast !!!

My days—Feb 18-20^th 5am

The 18^th was a travel day… Kevin  THANKS !!!! 

United Business class was OUTSTANDING.  The flight from Chicago to Beijing was 13 hours.  Upon arriving in Beijing, I went through customs picked up my bag and took a local shuttle business to another terminal to grab my flight to Harbin….  The bus was PACKED !!!

The flight to Harbin was only 2 hours and was very close to a Southwest Air flight, no frills.  While deplaning I noticed 5-6 police at the end of the boarding walkway.  I was pulled aside and asked what I was doing in Harbin.  To which I said spectator at the University Games…then I was shown a list of names and asked if my name was on the list (oh boy the list, was this a Santa’s good boy list or a bad boy list).  My name was not on the list—whew!!  The officer then said "Ok" and began to walk away…  suddenly my arm is grabbed by another police officer--- when I turn he said “I am here for your protection and Safety” ohhhhh boy ????

I was escorted to baggage claim and where I picked up my bag.  I was escorted out of baggage claim and turned over to the University Games staffers--- I explained I needed to exchange US dollars for Chinese RMB—guess what the currency exchanges were CLOSED !!!  I bought money from a couple of the WUG staffers… told that I did not have enough cash to take a taxi to my Hotel, but I could take a local bus into Harbin and then grab a taxi at the first stop.  I jumped on the local bus ---  and we headed out from the airport.  It is now about about 9pm here in Harbin and it is COLD – approx -4 degrees…..a VERY dry COLD and bitter cold !!!

The airport drive was lined with ice sculptures and neon lights ---- WOW beautiful is an understatement !!!!!

As we traveled from the airport I notice the street are desolate--- I’m a little concerned about finding a taxi….  At the first stop only one person gets off the bus --- I look outside and decide --- NOPE ---not getting off here, I will wait for the next stop.  At the next stop, I jump off with about four others,  grab my luggage… and swoosh and taxi appears.  I hand my drive the address that the WUG staffer had written out for me--- and we are off.  We are driving through the empty streets of a very old city that has seen better days —Based on the appearance of the buildings/area---If this was the states, I would not be in these neighborhoods  !!!

Just to make it fun, my driver speaks no English and I do not speak Chinese---  guess what he cannot find my hotel--- we motor about the empty street stopping to look at an address on an old tired building---  Long story short we get to the Hotel---  That was Wednesday 18^th

February 19---  Game Day USA vs. Korea 330pm

Have breakfast and meet up with a few of my fellow parents…. Breakfast was a buffet with eggs, sausage, toast, pastries, noodles, rice, pigs ear, just to name a few of the dishes---  heck with tradition and I tried most everything---yes even the pigs ear.  Tomorrows breakfast, I will pass on the pig’s ear.

After breakfast we are off to another hotel to meet up with additional parents--- we have a drink in the ice bar (picture attached).   We are off to the Central District many shops---  I have a couple of pictures attached.  TOO cold to take many pictures !!!

After which we head off to the rink, to grab a bite to eat and settle in for the game--  Well guess what they do not serve food nor beverages at the rink, and we are to too far to run out---so much for lunch.  Forgot to mention I began my diet today…..

The rink is top notch, well lit and the ice looks great.  The game is on TV here in Harbin  The women hockey team plays in an arena that seats 5000 and the boys play in a facility that seats 3500… huh ???  The Chinese women’s team is better and expected to advance to the metal rounds—thus the better facility for their games !!  Who said it is a man’s world !!! and in China no less !!!

The boys took the ice for warm ups —a quick zam and the teams take the ice:

Period 1--USA jumps out to a quick 1-0 lead on a Power play (PP).  Korea responds with a goal on a PP as well.

Period 2 Korea jumped back into the lead with 1 PP goals and 1  penalty shot goal-   USA answers with only 1 at the end of  2 periods, it is Korea 3 USA 2

Period 3 USA finds the back of the net with 2 quick goals, now the USA is up 4 to 3.  But the fast and solid Korean team responds to tie it at 4.  At the end of regulation USA is killing a penalty which rolls into the OT.  USA start out 3 on 4…  about 1 minute into overtime, USA  breaks out of the zone and with a GREAT pass from Gehring ---Liang finds the back of the net---USA wins 5 to 4

We leave the rink, and with the help of Liang’s dad who talks his way through the wave of Chinese Army guarding the facility we are allowed to wait outside for a chance to speak with the kids---which did happen---  Gotta understand security is VERY tight--- at the opening ceremony hundreds of soldiers, may be even thousands of armed guards standing shoulder to shoulder in -5 temps---- some armed with automatic weapons, armored vehicles etc---

Paul is doing well, USA hockey did not clear his meds for asthma (Inhaler)  so he cannot play for a couple of days since his med is listed on the anti doping list---he is on another inhaler and hope to see the Slovakia game--- the  boys better keep healthy--- in our bracket the Russians or the Slovakian team is favored to advance---

After the boys are called back into the rink to watch and Japan play, the parents are off for dinner.  We dine at a local restaurant—approx 10 courses—and a few beers to celebrate the come from behind win !!!  The courses include, several vegetable dishes,  2 shrimp dishes, calamari, a sweet and sour fish,  sea cucumber (not a vegetable dish) and of course the meat dish consisting of pork, pigs tongue and mixed meat… had the mixed meat in Beijing before ---gotta pass on that !!!!  I tried it ALL (except for the mixed meats)  We left about 25% of the food….just tooooo much.  Cost of a celebration dinner is --- $15.00 US per person…. And we had leftovers.

We went back to the hotel and discussed plans for tomorrow (Friday  20)—Looks like we will hire a van and driver to sight see.  We will firm up plans over breakfast in the morning—on the list is Tiger Park...where you can see over 600 tigers, and even feed tigers…. When you feed the tiger you cannot be squeamish —you feed them live food----are we the food???  Also on the short list is the Ice village--- the cost of the van and driver for the day is 300-500 RMB ($50-100 US)--- which is about $10 -$15 person for the day !!!

Well it is Friday 6am here—I have been up since 4 am… gotta have my coffee and get started….. I will try to catch the OU vs Kent game via the internet -----

GO BOBCATS !!!!

I thought this would be a good way to keep everyone updated since calling is very expensive from over here.

The trip started off (Feb 16^th) Monday morning when we arrived at O’Hare airport. After taking an hour and a half to check in and get through security (a group of 30 does not move fast) we made it to the gate. Everyone sat around, played cards, and grabbed a bite to eat --- everyone was really excited to get our trip started.

We flew coach and let me tell you that coach may be fine for a couple hour flight, but it's pretty rough when you’re in coach for 13 hours. (Time from O’Hare to Beijing). We had movies on the plane but none of them were anything I was interested in seeing. Just to give an example, one of the movies was "A family that prays".  So instead of watching the movies I decided to read. I brought a book titled "I hope they serve beer in hell." Probably one of the funniest books I have ever read.

After walking around, we got on our plane to Harbin and I quickly fell asleep.  I stayed up the whole 13 hour flight from O'Hare to Beijing trying to minimize the jet lag.

We arrived in Harbin at 11:30pm (10:30 am est.)   After getting all our bags, which took a while, we were greeted by tons of people screaming at us. They seemed to be really excited to see Americans. We headed outside and there were all kinds of ice sculptures from snakes to dragons.

 
This is also when I first noticed that Harbin LOVES lights. Almost everything there is decorated in colorful neon lights. We got on the bus and departed for our 45 minute bus trip to our Athletic Village. When we arrive at the Athletic Village it was about 1:00 to 1:30 in the morning. We had been traveling for more than 24 hours and I was exhausted. We checked in and went straight to bed. We had to be up at 7:30am to get food and leave for our practice.

The rooms are not too bad. There are three beds, but they put the two goalies in one room. We ended up with a little extra space. Let me first say that they know nothing of comfortable beds. I threw myself on the bed, and no exaggeration, I thought I was hitting pavement. There was no give to the mattress. We also do not have a tv. It's pretty much the bare essentials in the room, but very nice quality. The weird thing is that the bathroom is like a giant shower room and they put a toilet and sink in there.

We start off our day getting some food from the dining halls. The food is not exactly what I would have picked out but I’m up for trying new things. The funny thing though is that they have french fries for breakfast; I choose to pass on them. I get some sort of fried noodles, fried rice (which was very, very good), some bread. The food was not very good. It was pretty bland and there were a lot of starchy foods.

Then we head off to practice. The rink that we play on is awesome. It is equipped with TV cameras and seats about four thousand people. They also have the biggest jumbo tron I have every seen. Our practice rink was kind of different though. The rink was the same size, however, they did not have any glass. There was only some sort of netting that went around.

After practice we went back to the hotel and I took a nap to get ready for the opening ceremonies.

When we got to the opening ceremonies we checked in and waited around for about an hour (this seems to be the trip of patience). Once they started the procession, we walked through a tunnel and came out onto a floor in front of about 10 thousand screaming people. To give you an example, the walk through was exactly like the one for the Summer Olympics. After we exited, we walked through another tunnel to get upstairs to our seats. Walking through this tunnel, there were all these crazy Chinese people that were going nuts. They seem to love Americans. We find our seats and prepare for the show. It was absolutely amazing. There were so many different things they did. The best I can describe is that it was extremely similar to the opening ceremonies in Beijing. It was breathtaking and we were in awe.

After the completion of the opening ceremony, we boarded our buses to return to the Athletic Village.  We have a game against Korea for Thursday at 3:30pm (230am EST) the next day.

We woke up, Thursday morning, and headed to breakfast. The only thing worth noting about this was that I had spaghetti and that it's no where close to being similar to American spaghetti. This spaghetti had pickles and carrots mixed in. It was quite the shocker to me.

That's all I have so far. We have a game in 4 hours so hopefully I have good news to share later.