PAST TOURS - Bangkok Open - Oct. 27-29, 2011
Beijing International Ice Hockey

Bangkok Trip Review

BANGKOK 2011 OCTOBER TOURNAMENT

Beijing Ducks 2011 Team

The journey started 2 months before the tournament, when Curtis Dracz gathered a bunch of the top players at the Irish Volunteer. After a few pints and a pizza, the boys made the commitment, and the captains and assistants were born.

The boys gathered on a weekly basis to talk hockey and organize tournament fundraisers. First; a marathon themed keg party, and then a league-wide Japanese Dinner at DaWai near Lido.

Now for the tournament; It wasn’t pretty - and this wasn't just because of the flooding - Worst flooding in Thailand in 100-years!

The Peking Ducks lost all four games en route to last place in the Open Division at the 2011 Land of Smiles Hockey Tournament in Bangkok.

Vs. Singapore 3-4
Vs. Taipei 2-8
Vs. AbuDabi 1-4
Vs. Singapore (Quarter-Finals): 2-1

But they were still winners. Despite losing match-ups to teams from Singapore, Taipei and Abu Dhabi, the games were close and hard-fought. The Ducks never gave up.

Bob Mizrabeigi with his earplugs and the wiley veteran Brian Bedford buried a couple G’s apiece. As did Duck’s General Manager, Dracz – one of which came from his knees amongst three defenders.

Assists came from all over the place: Brazilian Captain Bruno Carvahlo, Chris Clark, Chris Davison and others.

Convoy of players en route to the rink!

Shawn Dvonch, joining the Peking crew from his home in Thailand, was a fiery goaltender between the pipes. His ferocity – on and off the ice – gave the Ducks some life.

Off the ice, is where the boys became men. Led by Bedford and the wisdom of Scott Laprise, the Ducks made a name for themselves as the tournament’s wildest bunch.

Dvonch led the team in a shirtless mosh pit at the tournament gala, which was followed by an on-stage beat-box and rap performance by Bruno and Clarky.

Davison helped keep things clean, and Tyler Cheung, joining the team from Vietnam, provided the group with a backbone as the silent assassin.

Jonas Gilbart impressed the team with riley play on the ice and gave the boys a lesson in bull riding.

Between Jon Paradis acting as the group’s wildcard and Butler’s efforts to get us all home, the Ducks’ trip to Bangkok was a successful one.

Mirzabeigi was the only one able to make it back to Beijing in time for Sunday night’s games – and that may have had something to do with the fluorescent earplugs he wore for endurance.

A HUGE “Thank you” to AST, Normet, the Irish Volunteer, Japanese Restaurant, the Directors and Ella Smith for the donations and sponsorship. And thank you to our friends and family for coming out to the fundraisers and supporting our team.

AWARDS:

FINKLE: TBD

DRAXLER: TBD

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!!!

Key Locations:

Nana Plaza, Morning-Night & NanaTai Mansion - Soi 4