Game On!

I had hoped to post last night but I didn't have any WiFi in my RV. I initially came to the rink last night to just drop off my gear but at the last minute decided to stay in the RV that I was assigned to get the feel for the living away from home for 10 days, and to meet my roomies Candice and Deb.  Not to mention that the 5:30 am players meeting was too early to want to venture in from home.

I found out on Wednesday that the facility includes only the building and our fenced in RV area. No parking lot and no soccer fields. Luckily there is an area that my husband will be able to bring my dogs to come visit me during my time away.


There is WiFi in the arena although I was hoping to do more impromptu updates from the RV - I will do my best to keep you informed in between the playing, sleeping and eating...... I just realized I have some pictures to share but I forgot the camera cord in the RV so I will have to post them a bit later.

I had a bit of a choppy sleep last night, not sure if it was  that I was afraid that I would sleep in or if it was from my anxious anticipation. I woke up about 3 times in the night but quickly went back to sleep. I woke exactly at 5am to get ready for the day. The player meeting was at 5:30 where we reviewed the rules and processes for the next 10 days.  We had our breakfast just after 6 (thank you to our volunteer breakfast crew).

By 6:45 we were in our respective dressing rooms, getting ready to be on the ice by 7:15 for the introduction of each player, welcoming remarks, ceremonial puck drop, the National anthem, and warm up so that we were ready for the puck drop at exactly 8am.

My husband David and dad Rolph were here bright and early to share this moment. As were many media crew and if you watch the news today,  I would be surprised if you don't see a mention of the Longest Game 4CF.

What was it like skating on the ice when my name was called....Emotional! I didn't realize I would feel that overwhelming sense of emotion. And as I looked around at the other players, I could tell they were feeling it too.

I completed my first hour of play and it felt good, although it did help that we had the full 20 Red players on the bench for shift changes. I haven't played in a game for almost 7years so for my first few shifts, I felt a bit scattered, but as the game went on, it was coming back to me.  My next shift is 4pm - 8pm, and each shift will only have 1 sub for 4 hours. I have a feeling I will be able to reacquaint myself with all the positions by the end of this game.

If you can't make it out to the rink, there is video live streaming. I have linked it on the right side and below.

Game On - live video stream

Well, it is time for me to sign off now to grab some lunch and have a pre-game nap! I just noticed the next shift line is ready to relive the first shift so I have 4 more hours before I am back on the ice.

Player Schedule released

My player schedule was sent earlier this evening and I finally figured out how to convert the Excel into a web based document so I could share it on this website. The link is below and I have also added a link on the bar on the right side of this page.

Julie's Player Schedule

The schedule is my initial schedule but it may change as the game progresses. I will update on this webpage whenever possible. There will also be up to date information in the front lobby at the rink for my supporters who come to the rink to visit and/or watch me play 

The teams are comprised of 20 players who will be rotating shifts over the next 10 days (243 hours) based on a 7 player shift (6 skaters and the Goalie), which means that we will have 4 hour shifts with only 1 sub.

All players will be playing the first hour at the start of the game, when the puck drops at 8am this Friday, August 26th. All players will also play the last hour of the game, for the soon to be infamous record breaking 65 minutes on Sept 5th (~ 12 pm - 1pm)

Hope to see you at the game.....If you can't sleep, come cheer on the graveyard shifts!

Kick Off Party

Last night was the official Kick off party for the Longest Game 4 CF. Players, volunteers, sponsors and supporters all had an opportunity to get together for good food and drinks at the Electric Owl. I even had a chance to connect with Michelle, who I played hockey with (and against) but I haven't seen her since I stopped playing in the hockey league 7 years ago. I also had a chance to share some Blog stories with Beth Snow, another LG4CF player.

The speakers were excellent. There was emotion behind the shared experiences and a realization of the significance of this event. A special thank you to our key sponsors:

 
65 Roses Club  


It was a Kick Off Pep talk and I am very motivated to do my part in making this event a success.

The reason we are all involved in this event is due to a vision of Val Skelly. She envisioned this epic event over a year ago and has been a key driving force to see it through. The rest of the committee has been incredible organizing this event and ensuring all the details are managed by the time we take to the ice on August 26th.

Last night Val unveiled the new jerseys which I can't wait to wear (but in Red):

Val wearing the White team's jersey.

Val Skelly (center) with Rebecca Malott (CF Researcher) and Martina Meckova (Director, CFC Vancouver/Lower Mainland branch

This morning I had a good Power skating / Hockey skills session and now I am off to run some errands to get all the 10 day essentials.

The puck drops in 4 days, 20 hours.......and counting!