Saying good-bye until the fall.

Surfside RV Resort, Parksville BC (2 stars)

We went to a pep rally tonight for the Oceanside Generals who are off to Revelstoke for the Cyclone Taylor Cup. After team photos and some comments from various people, it was time for skaters young and old to skate with the team. Quite a sight to see as they skated for about an hour.

It was then time to say good-bye to friends we have made at the games. The Van Herks, the Paziuks and other we have just gotten to know. We hope to see them all again when we return in October.

And we all wished the team good luck at the Cup final. Sadly, Brady Van Herk dislocated a shoulder in the last game of the play-offs. He'll travel with the team, but will not play.

We just got back from a fan participation/appreciation evening at Oceanside arena. The players were all on the ice, including our injured favourite Brady van Herk (who gave me the jersey). He was boarded in the game last night which we saw, and his right shoulder was dislocated. He was, needless to say, wearing a sling. We chatted with his grandparents whom we have gotten to know over the last couple of winters and there is never a dull moment in conversation. We sit together at the games and have also gotten to know quite a few of the fans around us.

We chatted, non-hockey, and had quite an enjoyable social evening.

Fans could join the players and skate around together. There were lots of photo ops of the team, and with the players. Our hockey season is over. There are more roads less gravelled to travel.