The Tribune

By Melissa Gaudette

THE Nassau Street Hockey League (NSHL) is all set to host an international tournament tonight. Team Bahamas is slated to take on Team Canada (Withrow Knights Ball Hockey League) at the rink (former Sand Trap).

The Bahamas is represented with three teams at three different levels - Bahamas Team B, Bahamas Team A, and Bahamas Select - the All-Star team.

Bahamas Team B hits the rink at 7:30pm, Bahamas Team A faces off at 8:45pm and Bahamas Select finishes the night starting at 9:45pm. Local police will be on the scene to provide additional security and safety.

Chris Wheaton, captain of Bahamas Select, feels the games are going to be exciting, facing off with Canada for the third time. “We’re looking forward to hanging out with their guys and defending our title. We were the winners last time. And although it’s all in good fun, we still want to win.”

All three Bahamian teams are filled with skill, each team is incredibly strong and well-rounded. The competition will be fierce. Wheaton adds: “We have a lot of young speedy players that should give us an edge. We also have 50 players to choose from [in the league] for rosters.”

The Bahamian teams are rostered by selecting the top players from the four NSHL teams. The players will join forces for these games and work as one solidified home team.

The Bahamian teams have the advantage with numbers, knowing the rink surface, and being accustomed to the weather. This doesn’t mean it’ll be an easy match though as Canada is known for having hockey as its national sport.

Wheaton says about Team Canada: “They are very good at defence and very good at passing the ball around.”

It’s been years since the last game against each other at an international tournament. It’s these tournaments that provide opportunities for team growth and individual player growth. It’s a challenge to adapt to new teams and it tests skill and strength. Travelling provides new competition and learning how to adapt to new strategies.

“We sent a Bahamian national team to the Caribbean Cup (in the Cayman Islands) three times in the past 10 years. It’s always a great bonding experience traveling with your group to another country,” said Wheaton.

Roger Dey, captain of Team Canada, is looking forward to this battle. Team Canada is quite experienced - they’ve played in 16 different international tournaments in the last 12 years from the Bahamas to USA to Czech Republic.

This weekend marks their 17th tournament internationally. But it’s this tournament that they are looking forward to the most.

“It will be great to see the Nassau guys again. Having played them twice before, it’s like coming back to visit old friends in a far off land. Secondly, the hockey, it’s going to be both fun and competitive, not to mention the post-game socialising,” he said.

Wheaton agrees. “I know we’ll all have a great time playing hockey. And once the games are over, we’ll take them out on the town to show them everything our island has to offer. But let’s be honest...with their winter closing in, I think they’re just coming here to warm up,” Wheaton adds.

Each captain has prepped their team on what to expect but, realistically, in games like this there isn’t a way to fully prepare other than having confidence in their own respective teams.

“I can already hear the sound of the orange ball hitting the goal post. Let the games begin!” he said. “They’ll probably bring maple syrup to the rink.”

“It’s that friendly-yet-extremely-competitive attitude between the Canadian teams and Bahamian teams that will make this night so phenomenal. It’ll be a fierce battle on the rink that both captains are ready for.

“The teams are ready to go. Each game will be tight, challenging, and intense. The stands will be filling up for these entertaining games that will leave fans on the edge of their seats. Don’t miss out,” said a press release.