Game 1 - Canada wins 4-0 over Italy

Team Canada played their first game in the 2010 Paralympic Games today at UBC Thunderbird Arena versus Italy.  The Nicholson Clan and other Team Canada families met this morning, decked out in red & white, and filled two articulated buses bound for the venue. 

Todd at center ice, during the warm up

Team Canada huddles for a pre-game cheer before Game 1.

We were expecting a high scoring game versus Italy, but Team Canada had a bit of a slow start.  Local boy Marc Dorion, of Bourget, ON scored the icebreaking goal from an assist from Billy Bridges two-thirds of the way through the first period, with three penalties on the scoresheet.  The score remained 1-0 Canada at the end of the 2nd period.

Two fans in the stands

More Team Canada Family

Em & the kids were captured on the Vancouver 2010 website (www.vancouver2010.com)

In the third period, the hard hitting action continued with nice hits by our local players, Todd Nicholson, Shawn Matheson and Herve Lord.  These boys are not afraid to go into the corners to get the job done - you gotta love good Canadian hockey!!!  The fans finally got what they'd expected with two goals by Greg Westlake (one from a helper from Jean Labonte) and a fourth goal from Jean Labonte (unassisted).  Canada finally found their groove by the end - and just in time to be ready for Game 2 against Sweden tomorrow afternoon.

 

Part of the Nicholson contingent at UBC Thunderbird Arena post-game

Hockey Canada hosted a post-game reception with the families and players.  We got a chance to see the players and mingle with the other families.  

Gordie and his big brother Todd at the Hockey Canada post-game reception 

The player's families have put on a great show of support - all of the local players have family attending.  Miki Matheson even has her mother and sister visiting from Japan!!!  (Miki and Shawn met during the 1998 Nagano Paralympic Games, where they were both competing, later married, and now reside in Carp with their two sons).

Todd, Shawn, Heather Barr, and Miki pose with a banner from the Carp Farmers' Market

I'm sure Gordie will have more to add to this a bit later - he, Tyler, and Stuart have gone back to Thunderbird arena to watch today's match up of U.S.A. versus Korea. 

Jenn~