ARMENIAN BALL HOCKEY CLASSIC
For the second year in a row, over 60 players took part in the tournament. Did you know that in 3 years, 120 different people have played in the Classic? Thank you to each of you! Next year we’re aiming to break the 100 player plateau.
The defending champions were one of the favourites to win it this year but their road to the title was much more difficult. In the first game of the tournament, the Despots had a 1-1 tie with the Red Vipers. In the elimination rounds, they escaped the quarterfinals with a 10-9 win over the Desperadoes and then barely made it through the semi-finals with a 5-4 victory over the Wolfpack. In the finals, they showed their championship pedigree with a 7-4 victory over the Aghdod 8. Congratulations on their second championship. They will be going for a three peat in 2020!
For the very first time in the tournament history, one of the games required sudden-death OVERTIME. It produced an amazing moment as the Aghdod 8 edged Ararat with a golden goal in the semi-finals.
In a sign of the parity between teams, many games were decided by a single goal including both semifinals and two of the quarterfinals games.
Did you notice? We quietly extended each game to 30 minutes this year. It was 28 last year and 26 the first year.
We promised a surprise for year 3 and we weren’t kidding! The Despots captured the championship and their players became the first to hoist the Classic Cup. Videos to follow and their names will be engraved forever on the Cup!
With spring weather finally here, the BBQ was on hot demand all weekend. Thank you to the generous gentlemen who made sure players and spectators could enjoyed a fresh meal!
- Top forward : Aren Makalian (Aghdod 8)
- Top goaltender : Nazo Aghbabian (Despots)
- Top defender : Jack Ohanian (Despots)
With a simple 5$ donation, Mr Mercan captured half of the 120$ pot. And then proceeded to the donate the winnings to the community! Thank you Ari
The tournament was filmed and photographed. The best footage will be edited and released at the beginning of the 2019 to commemorate the tournament.