Sharks USA Hit the ice

Another early morning for the sharks when it came time for the first and only practice. After about 1 hour drive through Beijing we arrived at freezing rink, got dressed, and took the ice. Most of the practice was devoted to getting their skating legs and revisiting a few drills learned in previous practices and games.

After practice, we went out for lunch at the twin towers mall for either Thai or Peppe's Pizza. We filled our stomachs and headed back to the hotel for some rest. We then met down at the lobby to take off for the game.

The game opened with a ceremonial drop of the puck by Zou Dewel, a two star General who served as the Chief physician in the recent earthquake rescue.

This game was a big change for the Sharks with three 20 minute periods, it was a close game with the Sharks taking a 1 goal lead in the first period but the Beijin Tiger Cubs scored 2 goals in the second period as jet lag and confusion seemed to take hold of the Sharks.

Period 3 brought a renewed energy to the Sharks who after an initial goal by the Tiger Cubs controlled the play for most of the period with Sharks goalie Emily Yue having only to make a few key saves. With just under 3 minutes to play the Sharks pulled their goalie and came alive to score with a second goal by Rachel Muskin. The Sharks continued pressure with Samantha Sanders and Kate McNally applying constant pressure from the points but unfortunatly ended up as a 3-2 victory for the Beijing Tiger Cubs.

The good news is that the coach called and wants a rematch and the Sharks can't wait.

After we packed up and loaded on the bus, we went out the dinner at the infamous "Hot Pot". This was a traditional chinese meal where there is a pot of steamed water at each table and you throw in all sorts of food such as beef, mushrooms, tofu, and much more. This dinner was definately the most unusual yet but who knows what the rest of the trip will bring!

KLG

Sharks Visit the Forbidden City on Sunday

Today we woke up bright and early to explore the Forbidden City. We learned about the history and significance of the city and the last Emperor himself. There have been 24 Emperors and and much rebuilding since Emperor Yong Lee first commissioned the city in the early 1700's.

The Chineese people are very friendly and were very anxious to have their pictures taken with us.

After a lot of walking we sat down at a local resturaunt for some Chinese cuisine. The best was the fried pumpkin sticks.

We all headed back to the hotel to catch up on our sleep which was much needed, followed by a dinner hosted by the coach of a team that the Sharks will be playing tommorrow. The restaurant served bullfrog and all kinds of live seafood but not to us. (Hopefully)

We exchanged gifts with the host, were served eight plates of dumplings plus more. We then headed back to the hotel for liesure activities and to get ready for tomorrow.

KLG

We arrived safely

My name is Kelsey Greim and I am a senior at Guilford high school in CT, USA and a manager for the Sharks USA team.  I will be writing a daily journal for you to follow our adventure.

After a long 13.5 hour flight we arrived at the new terminal at Beijing airport. The terminal is enormous (2 miles long). The haze over the city was a surprise to most of us.

 At 9:30 at night we had a great meal at our hotel. Beijing Intercontinental Hotel.

The food was served family style with duck, pork sweet & sour soup and fruit.  Nothing too strange was served (yet).

Signs are everywhere and there is a lot of excitement for the Olympics that will start on 8.8.08.

We have posted some pictures for you to see and will add more tomorrow.

Keep following us!

KLG

New team jackets delivered after last warm up game on 6/22

Final Tour Itinerary

SHARKS U.S.A. 2008 China Trip


TOUR ITINERARY


Day 1 / JUN27:
Depart USA Board Air China nonstop flight to Beijing, leaving JFK at 4:30 pm. En route, cross the International Date Line. (IM)

Day 2 / JUN28: Beijing
Arrive in Beijing at 6:30 pm. Meet your local representative and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy an authentic Cantonese dinner at hotel. Beijing Intercontinental Hotel

Day 3 / JUN29: Beijing
Tour Beijing’s imperial treasures. First, Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world, capable of holding a million people. Stroll across its vast expanse. An assortment of historical buildings, Communist monuments and huge museums, including Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum, the Monument to the People’s Heroes, and the Great Hall of the People – home of the National People’s Congress, flank the Square. Walk through the Gate of Heavenly Peace, under the famed portrait of Chairman Mao, to enter the Forbidden City, a 9,999-room compound, where the 24 emperors of the Ming and the Qing Dynasties ruled the Middle Kingdom for nearly 500 years (1420-1911). Experience the architectural splendor of the palaces, ceremonial courtyards and private quarters. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you are at leisure. Attend a welcome dinner with Yuan Meng Hockey team. (B,L,D)

Day 4 / JUN30: Beijing
After breakfast, depart for Rink. Practice in the morning. Lunch at Lotus Thai Twin Tower. Afternoon rest at hotel. Game with Beijing Tiger Cubs (7-8:30 pm). Tonight, enjoy a local flavor of Beijing Hotpot dinner at the famed Dong Laishen. (B,L,D)

Day 5 / JUL01: Beijing
In the morning visit the Giant Panda at Beijing Zoo. Then you join our Culture InSites™ Program and experience the world of Beijing’s Hutongs, via rickshaw. This network of courtyard homes and narrow lanes traditionally linked the old city. Tour the maze-like alleyways and neighborhood residences. See the locals as they go about their daily activities. Highlights include visits to a local kindergarten, to the 800-year-old Drum Tower and to a traditional courtyard style home. This unique tour concludes with a meal served at the home of a local family. The remainder of day is at leisure.

Game tonight with Little Warriors (7-8:30 pm). In the evening, savor a specially prepared meal of Beijing duck, cooked to crispy perfection. (B,L,SD)


Day 6 / JUL02: Beijing
In the morning visit and tour the idyllic Summer Palace, with its sprawling encampment of temples, pavilions, the marble boat, and the 728-yard Long Corridor. Enjoy a boat ride on Kunming Lake. After lunch at a local restaurant, rest in the afternoon.

Game tonight with Hurricanes (7-8:30 pm). After dinner, enjoy a Beijing noodle soup at Tang Du San Jin. (B,L,D)

Day 7 / JUL03: Beijing
In the morning take a scenic drive through the countryside to reach China’s most renowned monument – the Great Wall. En route, you visit the Bird Nest and Water Cube, the main stadium of 2008 Summer Olympics. The ’original’ wall was begun in the 5th century BC to keep out foreign invaders. Construction continued for centuries, eventually linking up the walls of the former independent kingdoms. The Great Wall meanders through China’s northern mountain ranges from the Yellow Sea to the Gobi Desert – a distance of over 3500 miles! Chairman Mao once said “You haven’t walked on the Wall, you haven’t been a good Chinese”. Today you will have ample time to climb a section of the Great Wall and to get a sense of the enormity of this ancient edifice. Dinner tonight is followed by the Acrobats. (B,L,D)

Day 8 / JUL04: Beijing
Today is a gfree day for you to explore this magnificent city independently. Tonight is a farewell dinner. (B,D)

Day 9 / JUL05: Beijing
You are free in the morning to do some last minute shopping, to pack, or to rest. Then transfer to the airport for your return flight home. Arrive in JFK at 2:30 pm the same day. (B)

Used Equipment needed

As we have learned in researching youth hockey in China, a major deterrent to children playing is the lack of equipment and locations for purchase.

The Sharks USA hockey team will be collecting used equipment to bring to China. For team members, please bring to Sundays game 6/22 8:30 AM in Northford.

Others wishing to donate equipment, please email Coach Greim @ shorelinesharkshockey@comcast.net.

Pre- Trip scrimmage updates

March 9, 2008: Sharks USA traveled to Stamford to play the Darien U12. One of the stronger U12 teams in the state. Darein stages late comeback to tie 4-4 in the closing minute. A great showing for the Sharks with only 1 practice together.

May 18th, Sharks play Hamden U14 to 4-4 tie. Frirst game in new Jerseys donated bt Whitey Bensons of West Haven.

Getting Started!

Hello All!

Welcome to the official Sharks USA blog. For those of you who are unfamiliar, Sharks USA is an ice hockey team composed of U12 girls (and a few boys) from the Shoreline area in Connecticut, USA

We will be traveling to Beijing China on June 27th, returning on July 5th in a Pre-Olympic friendship competition. While there we will be playing 3 games against boys AAA travel teams from China. We will be the first youth hockey team comprised primarily of girls to play in China.

We will be dining with members of the USA and China Olympic committies, touring the Great Wall, The Forbidden City, the Beijing Zoo etc.

Here, we will be writing all about our upcoming trip. We will be posting pictures and sharing the stories of our adventures as often as possible. Everyone is very excited to go on this trip, and we are equally excited to be able to share our stories with you!

Stay tuned for more!

Sharks USA