Mudflaps do Coquitlam...

...and survived (barely). Sung invited me to play on her co-ed GSHL team, the Mudflaps, in a recent Planet Ice Easter Co-Ed hockey tournament in Coquitlam. It was my first co-ed tournament ever so I was a bit nervous. And, on top of that, I only knew Sung and the other women that she added to the roster from the SWHC ("Glorious" KT, Bridget, and Keri) and knew none of the other men. Though, it turns out that I have skated against them in some GSHL games this season! This was the first out-of-town tourney for the Mudflaps and I *seriously* hope its the first of more to come (did someone say Vegas?).

Despite the fact that we got placed in the wrong division which resulted in a 0-3 record, it was a great tournament and weekend. Recurring quote was "****!! I thought this was the Novice division!" Our first game was against a team from Portland, OR. So, being an American team, we thought we had a chance. Ha! Not really....they had a young player (Jail Bait) who pretty much skated around us. The second team was crazy good and the final team was even better (or we were just tired or drunk or both...the last 2 games were all a blur to me). That's ok...many laughs, new friends, TimBits, and MASSIVE amounts of alcohol kept us in good spirits. And, did that guy at Boston Pizza really drop his pants to show us his tattoos on each ass cheek? Both Planet Ice tournaments were very well organized and well attended. Though, we didn't get a case of fine Canadian beer in our locker room after each game, teams was given $50 to spend in the bar upstairs. I'll definitely be back whenever a chance comes up...as long as I am placed in the appropriate division...is there a Tri-Pod division? Oh my....I'm in serious detox after the last 2 weekends of Canadian tournaments.

We stayed at the newly remodeled Inn at the Quay New Westminster. Lively decor (blues, purples....no boring hues of beige/browns) which makes you think South Beach-Miami but a quick look out the window and you're quickly reminded you're in the gray, Pac NW. Beds were extra comfy, and the bathroom and shower immaculate. A nice change from the **ithole we stayed in the previous weekend (i.e., I didn't get stuck in an elevator this time). Skytrain is close by for easy access to downtown so it's a great alternative and more affordable place to stay if in the area. It was about 10 minutes away from the Planet Ice Coquitlam rink.

Anyway, it was awesome skating, eating, and drinking with all you crazy Mudflaps. Our fans were the best - complete with a cow bell and "the wave." Hope to skate with you all again soon! But, first I must recover.

(Fade to Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'.")