On a positive note, the number of teams and the equality within the juniors program seems to be improving. With regression analysis, I would hypothesize that improved coaching and larger levels of junior registration in local leagues are key factors. For example, I was happy to see Barrie with a strong and enthusiastic entry.
The semi finals featured the top four ranked teams from pool play. In one semi final, Backbone (Vancouver, and a great Juniors name BTW!) defeated OJ (Ottawa) 14-7. The other semi saw DIRT (Toronto) defeating perennial powerhouse MOFO (Winnipeg) 13-5. Ottawa managed to oust MOFO in the bronze medal game.
Setting up a great finish for BC teams in all CUC 2007 divisions, Backbone won a hotly contested final against hometown DIRT 16-15. Wow, that's a tough one. I just hope the leadership made the players realize the significance of the outcome (little) and the benefit of the experience (great).
After all results, it became apparent that west was indeed best at these Canadian nationals. Not only did Vancouver win in the Open, Womens, Mixed and Juniors categories, they took home a bronze in the Masters divisions. Can you think of a major league franchise that wins at virtually every level of minor and major league baseball? How often is it that a team wins the NHL's Stanley Cup and the AHL championship (Rare)? We're dealing with teams and not cities, but I hope you get my point.
I can sum up the Vancouver dominance in one word. Scary. Also of note in future postings will be the overall performance of other western provinces. Teams from Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan flew under the radar, but placed very well across the divisions. I look forward to your feedback.
3 comments:
Dude,
Thanks for dropping my name ;)
Your masters analysis was right on. Glum & Tombstone were in a league of their own, everyone else was fighting for third.
This was probably the most competitive I've ever seen masters, and the most competitive (read evenly matched) division I've every played in. Retro, Fossil, Figjam, BDU could all have been third--our games were all very close, and it came down to "who was ON" during the game.
Also Kudos to the rest of the masters teams: MAO, Relic, VQ, etc., who were nipping at our heels and made us work a lot harder than expected for our wins. Once again, I think it came down to who had a touch more competivie experience on the team, and who was 'ON' during the game.
-devo
I don't know how you can say that the teams from British Columbia completely dominate the ultimate scene in Canada. Backbone won on ignorant calls, and if there was a rematch, Dirt would win, as they should have in the finals. And Furious is not nearly as dominant as they used to be, having lost to goat before nationals. If anything, the BC teams are not nearly as dominant and the playing field is leveling out, which will greatly benefit ultimate across the nation.
I don't know how you can say that the teams from British Columbia completely dominate the ultimate scene in Canada. Backbone won on ignorant calls, and if there was a rematch, Dirt would win, as they should have in the finals. And Furious is not nearly as dominant as they used to be, having lost to goat before nationals. If anything, the BC teams are not nearly as dominant and the playing field is leveling out, which will greatly benefit ultimate across the nation.
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