This will be the first of a series of entries about Nikko, Norbert, the Santa Clara Blackhawks, and their road to the national championships. If you would like to listen to an audiocast of the semi-final and final games, click here. Scroll down to "Tier II 12U - Ft. Wayne, Ind. - Eastern Time." The Blackhawks played April 1st at 9am and 5pm and again on April 2nd at 11am. I'm not sure how long the audio cast will be up, so take advantage of them while they're still there.
If you would like to see a write-up report of the championship game, click here.
The team has received numerous messages of support and are still recovering from a tiring, but exhilarating experience in Fort Wayne. Below is a message from Norbert. Enjoy!
[Note: Some things to look forward to include good luck letters to the team from Kurt Russell (star of "Miracle," who portrayed Coach Herb Brooks), Mike Eruzione (Captain of the 1980 gold medal Olympic Hockey Team), San Jose Sharks Coach Ron Wilson, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. I'm also waiting for photos from folks. Finally, they should be featured in the next issue of "USA Hockey" magazine. Keep checking back for updates!]
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT
I want to thank those who posted, called, and e-mailed messages of support to our team. They were passed on to the team in the locker room before each game and they helped.
You should have seen the look in their eyes, when they were read letters from Governator Schwarzenegger, Sharks Coach Ron Wilson, Kurt Russell, and especially the one received from "Miracle" team captain Mike Eruzione.
Later in the tournament, they received congratulations and encouragement from other teams as they advanced closer and closer to the title game. Most notably from the entire Phoenix Firebirds squad who attended both the semi-final and final games and cheered loudly for the Blackhawks.
One of the most heartwrenching moments of the game came late in the third period after we had scored the goal to put us up, 4-0. Players, recognizing the fact that the game was in hand, asked the coaches to put the back-up goaltender in the game. He had played only two periods during the entire tournament and they wanted him to have his moment in the biggest game of their lives.
As the goaltending change was made with 1:50 left in the game, the crowd cheered loudly, tears of joy started to flow. You can hear the crowd in the webcast of the game.
Earlier in the season, someone posted that we didn't get all the best players, and he was correct. We got the right ones!
When their hockey careers are over -- some sooner than others -- 17 players will look back at this season and smile. I am most proud of the fact that I was there to share it with them.
- Coach Norbert "Junior Boy" Tydingco
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