The TBBA held its 1st Annual All-Star Game, sponsored by Petrie's Cycle & Sports, on Sunday February 2nd, 2003. The game provided an excellent opportunity for the league to gain some exposure and at the same time, showcase the top players from each of the nine league teams. With so many fantastic players in the league, it was very difficult to put the teams together. There were a lot of players that were deserving of being involved in the game.
There was a lot of excitement and anticipation leading up to the beginning of the game. The players were excited about being involved in the game and there was a lot of anticipation for those of us involved, as we did not know what kind of game to expect. Right from the opening whistle, the players did not disappoint the many people that came out to watch. The players involved put on amazing display of skill and talent and were worthy representatives of the league in this inaugural , annual event. The game was amazing and very memorable as the players provided a lot of end to end action right up until the final buzzer .
Sean Miller scored the first goal of the game for Team White at 3:27, knocking home an incredible pass from Darryl Ilkew past a sprawling
Ray Gregory. Kurtis Malo made it 2-0 at 4:53, when he took a feed from Edward Keesickquayash at buried the ball in the net.
Darryl Ilkew set up Sean Miller for his 2nd goal of the game at 7:19 to give Team White a commanding 3-0 lead. Team Blue made it 3-1, less
than a minute later, when Holly Dueck took a pass from Terrence Muckuck and fired a shot past Shawn Reilly.
Team White opened up a three goal lead again at 12:22, when Lisa Merrill netted her 1st goal of the contest. Darryl Ilkew also assisted on the
goal for his 3rd point of the game. Two late goals for Team Blue made it a 4-3 game going into the half. Almos Mei scored at 21:24 and Denis Lavoie scored an incredible goal with five seconds to go in the half, when he stole the ball at centre ice, broke in alone and buried the ball past league teammate Shawn Reilly.
Terrence Muckuck tied the game at 4:12 of the 2nd half, taking a pass from Denis Lavoie and firing the ball past Bob McFarlane. Gerry Lidemark
gave Team White a 5-4 lead at 9:35, when he took a pass from Kurtis Malo and fired the ball past Kevin Labelle. Blair Decorte tied the game for good when he intercepted an errant pass and took a shot which beat Bob McFarlane.
Both goalies stood tall late in the game, when both sides had opportunities to break the tie.
As expected, the goalies took some punishment, and despite the scoring, each of the four goalies came up with some amazing saves to keep their respective teams in the game.
It was very fitting that the game ended in a 5-5 tie. On a day to celebrate the great game of broomball and watch an exhibition involving the league's finest players, there were no losers.
From the perspective of the league, the game was an overall success and marks the beginning of what will become an annual event that the
players will enjoy being a part of.
I am already looking forward to the 2nd Annual All-Star Game in 2004. |
