🚀 go-pugleaf

Following is a (long overdue) summary of the Second Annual International
Gay and Lesbian Hockey Challenge.  The tournament took place on the weekend
of April 2, 3, and 4, 1993, at the Arena Camilien-Houde in Montreal.

Teams from both Canada and the U.S. participated, listed below:

	Men's Division A	Men's Division B	Women's Division
	----------------	----------------	----------------
	Montreal "California"	Boston "Express"	Boston "Beehives"
	Los Angeles "Blades"	Montreal "Station C"	Longueuil "Qual. 21"
	Montreal "Max"		Toronto "Kings"		Montreal "Boreale"
							Toronto "?"

Even the officials represented both countries:
	
	Officials (2-man system)
	------------------------
	Denis Blais (Canada)
	Daniel Villemure (Canada)
	Kenny Zalewski (U.S.)

Since I was also playing for Team Boston, a fourth official (a friend of
Daniel) helped cover some games.  The funny thing was that this guy (his
last name was Bergeron I believe) was straight, and Daniel did not tell
him that it was a gay tournament.  Of course, the only real give-away was
when the skating pink-triangle (a female with an entire triangle costume
on) would occasionally skate around between games.

Friday evening opened up with a couple games at 5pm.  Since my carpool
ran into a snowstorm (in April!!!) on the way up to the rink, I was late,
but managed to still get out and referee the third period of the first
game.  My first impression was sheer amazement...  I could not believe the
level of hockey.  I have officiated at all levels of hockey, short of
college Division I and pro, and the game play was competent with some of
the better leagues I have done.  I had expected to referee in a very casual
style, thinking that the players would be joking and generally light-
hearted about the whole thing.  No way!  The competition was intense, 
emotions were flying, and I realized I had to give just as good an 
officiating performance as any games I have done here in the States.

And if you thought the men's teams were intense, you should have seen
the women's teams.  While most of the ladies were polite and good sports,
I'm surprised a few of them didn't kill each other.

After the first two games, the committee held the official Opening
Ceremonies, and then three more games would round up the night.  I
officiated a men's game between Montreal "Cali" and Toronto which could
have easily turned into a blood-fest.  I ended up cutting my hand while
breaking up a fight, and came to the quick realization that I couldn't
let things go at all...  so much for being a nice-guy.  Toronto has a 
very chippy and physical team, and they tried to bring the other
teams down to their style of play.  It was at this point that I lost the
whole concept that I was in the middle of a gay hockey tournament.  Every
element of ice hockey was here: speed, skill, rough play, intensity,
injuries (unfortunately), and excitement.  I didn't hear any "gay talk",
and it would not be apparent to anyone walking thru the rink what was 
actually going on.  There was a humorous moment after breaking up the
fight where one guy yelled, "You're just a fag" to the other one, to which
he replied, "Yeah, like you're not."

My Friday night ended when I skated with Boston as we played against
Station 'C'.  Station-C had some incredible players, including former
NHL Washington Capitals skater Bob Gerard.  For a while, the game was 
close.  I actually scored our team's first goal!  Unfortunately, we only
got 3 goals the entire game, whereas Station-C ended up with about 9.
Basically, whenever the game was getting too close, Gerard would do a
nice NHL-style one-man rush, and usually would either score, or make a
nice pass to a teammate who would then score.  The tournament director,
Amadee Lavallee, also skated for Station-C, but suffered a leg injury
early on, and did not skate much after that.  I was quite dead after 
our game, and was fast asleep about an hour later.

Saturday was a day packed full of games, from 8am right thru 9pm.  I
officiated the first two games, then played in one, had lunch, played
in another, and officiated two more at the end of the day.  Team Boston
got crushed in all three of our games, which were against Canadian teams.
Unfortunately, the schedule did not allow a Boston vs. Los Angeles game.
I believe L.A. also went down in three games, which left all four
Canadian teams to compete in the semi-finals on Sunday.  In the women's
draw, Boston was looking strong, and coudl have a good shot at the finals.

Scheduled for Saturday night was the annual tournament banquet, held at
the Loubar.  Food and drink, buffet-style, was available, and all the
players had a chance to mingle in a less intense atmosphere.  I had the
opportunity to talk with Bob Gerard about his NHL days, and the positive
reactions from his teammates who knew about his lifestyle.  He has been
with his husband for seventeen years now.  Bob also knows a bunch of 
other gay players who are currently in the NHL, but of course, could
not disclose their identities, short of dropping a few hints.  :-)

I also had the opportunity to meet the guys from L.A., who are also quite
involved in bringing hockey into the 1994 Gay Games (Olympics).

During the course of the night, players from every team took time to chat
with me...  I think everyone was trying to butter me up so I would officiate
in their favor on the next day.  I was really comfortable with how friendly
everyone treated me, especially since the majority of people there were
French, and there's definitely a cultural gap.

Well, after skating thru six games, and eating tons of food, I was once
again tired and ready for bed.  Plus, the following day would cap off
the tournament with 4 semi-final games, and 2 final games (men's and 
women's).  I would be officiating all six games.  My legs were already
dead.  My body was exhausted.  I would have to be awake at 7:30am.  The
players that I met could not believe what I was doing.  In retrospect,
I can't believe it myself.

Sunday, the final day.  I'll make this short:  In the semi-finals,
California beat Station-C, Max triumphed over Toronto, and in the women's
division, Boston would be playing Montreal in the finals.

In the finals, Max was victorious over California, in a fast-moving, but
very clean game.  However, the finals highlight was the last game of
the tournament: Boston versus Montreal (women's).  The crowd was huge
and LOUD.  The players were completely riled up.  And Daniel and I were
really into this game.  Lots of penalties, rough play, yelling, cheering;
a fantastic game.  And while the men's final pitted two Canadian teams
against one other, the women's final was U.S. against Canada.  Even the
officials (me and Daniel) represented both countries.  I ended up handing
out a record number of penalties for the tournament, mostly against the
rambunctious Boston team -- even a few unsportsmanlike conduct penalties,
for statements which I can't repeat here. :-)   After three action-packed
periods of hockey, the Boston women's team was victorious!  And thus, the
tournament came to a close.

Before travelling home, some of us went to the bar "California" to hang
out for a bit, then over to "Max" (it's important to patronize the 
bars which sponsor the teams, ya know).  Since the Max team was victorious,
they had a celebration there, with champagne and all.  Following the
festivities, we said our goodbyes, and I was on my way home from a
truly entertaining and inspiring (and exhausting) weekend.

Preparations for future tournaments are constantly underway, and I'll be
glad to forward information to anyone who is interested.       -- kennyz

-- 
Kenny Zalewski -- Computer Science Department; Intramural Department
Rensselear Polytechnic Institute, 83 Albright Court, Troy, NY, 12180
zalewk@rpi.edu | Kenny_Zalewski@mts.rpi.edu | zalewk@RPITSMTS.bitnet