Breakaway off to World Championships

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The Cayman Breakaway have plenty of warm weather gear from SPEEDO to make sure they dont succumb to the elements at the World Pond Hockey Championships.  Taking time out between games in the 2005 tournament are (from left to right) Norm Klein, Marty Freight Train Goschl, Bill Messer and Joe Stasiuk.

No one said that it was going to be easy. The Cayman Breakaway ice hockey team begin their quest to qualify for the playoffs of the World Pond Hockey Championships beginning this Thursday, February 16 in Plaster Rock, New Brunswick, Canada. Two of their five round robin games will feature highly talented opponents. The Cayman Breakaway are Team Number 58 and in the second Group F of three divisions. Teams are grouped on a lottery basis. The Cayman Breakaway will play against the teams in the second Group E. One of these teams is the Minnesota Shockers who are one of the top teams from the United States Pond Hockey Championships (USPHC) held last month in Minnesota. Minnesota is known as a hockey ‘hotbed’ and the USPHC were contested by 128 teams. The Breakaway will also play against the New York City Wings, a team that includes former NHL All–Star Pat Lafontaine.

“We knew that the 2006 World Pond Hockey Championships (WPHC) are going to be a tougher test for everyone this year,” said Breakaway captain Bill Messer. “There are now 120 teams and the talent levels are much higher. We have set our goal to make the playoffs. Although we have had a few setbacks (Marty Goschl had his gall bladder removed in December) and some injuries along the way, we still believe it is a realistic expectation to be playing on Sunday.”

Opening Ceremonies are slated for 5PM when the Cayman Breakaway will once again lead the parade of 120 teams onto Roulstone Lake. Games for the Breakaway are slated for 8:00PM on Thursday, 7:00PM and 8:00PM on Friday, and 3:30PM and 4:30PM on Saturday. The playoff round of 32 teams begins Sunday at 10:00AM.

The weather will also be a factor, just as it was last year. Plaster Rock just got hit with several feet of snow, while the current temperature there is –5 degrees F (–20 degrees C). The temperature will remain at that same level with more snow forecast over the week. Last year the temperature reached a low of –48 degrees F! Needless to say, there were plenty of opposition players that were happy to receive their Breakaway gift bag that included a bottle of Tortuga rum to warm them up.

Breakaway member Norm Klein noted, “Just like last year, we will be prepared for the elements. Our apparel supplier, SPEEDO, has again provided us with high performance gear that will keep us warm while allowing any sweat and moisture to quickly evaporate. We also have huge sport parkas that we wear in–between periods and games. It’s a big plus to be able to stay warm throughout the game and between games. Many of the other teams don’t have access to this gear, so it will be an advantage for us.”

The Breakaway leave today (Tuesday morning) on Cayman Airways for Fredericton, New Brunswick and have a practice game scheduled Wednesday against the 2005 WPHC finalists, The Fallen Leafs. The Breakaway were invited by The Fallen Leafs to play a preparation game and to help refine their tactics for the tournament. “We are trying to make sure we are fully prepared for this year’s tournament,” added Marty Goschl of the Breakaway. “Playing against the Fallen Leafs will be an opportunity for us to get some great pointers from a team that has been to the tournament for the last 4 years, and almost won it all last year.”

While the Breakaway hope for greater success at this year’s tournament, they know that regardless of the outcome it is still a huge promotional win for the Cayman Islands. During their time off the ice, the Breakaway spend a lot of time meeting the local people and providing a myriad of interviews to the media that will again attend the event.