Coach Ray Conway gave the keys to his bright, shiny car to Assistant Coaches Todd Hutsko, Erik Galis, and Chris Johns for the weekend with the same look as a father would give to his children.  One simple command followed.  Put it back in the garage when you're done and there better not be any dents or scratches.

We'll leave the vehicle inspection to Coach Ray at Friday's practice, but the car drove very nicely in Rochester and the Kids endured a weekend filled with all the highs and lows one can expect while growing as youth hockey players.  Great wins and tough defeats, all with a definite sense of continued teambuilding.

The club reached the semi-finals on Sunday morning as the top seed and seemed intent on capturing their first championship of the spring season.  Unfortunately, a 2-1 lead midway through the last frame could not hold up and the team was edged by the Upstate Lakers by a final score of 3-2.  The weekend closed a little early for all, but the journey was full of some great accomplishments.  It looked something like this...

Game 1

The club hit the ice hard and fast and never looked in danger as they bested the Might Buffaloes by a 4-1 count.  The win set the tone for the weekend.

Game 2

In what some said was the best '98 matchup they had seen in their 14 months of travel, the Kids used a late rush and goal with 1 second left to best the International Selects, sponsored by Montreal Metro, by a 3-2 score.  The Kids fell behind early by a 2-0 score and showed unrivaled grit and determination to get back in the game.  A fantastic win for the club.

Game 3

Saturday morning came and the club had its first match of the year against a club from the Great Northeast.  The team made quick work of the New England Generals by a 4-1 score.

Game 4

The last match of pool play saw the Mega Men battle the Jr. Kings from Hollywood.  The Kings forged ahead very early by a 2-0 count, but Coach Conway's club, inspired by his appearance on the webcast, answered with 4 goals to take a commanding 4-2 lead.  Unfortunately, nobody knows what happen to the inspiration at that point and the Kings closed late to force a shootout.  After a round of 6 or 7 shooters, the Kings got the game winner for a hard fought 5-4 win.  The victory in the stands looked similar to something you'd see in the Stanley Cup playoffs, but what do you expect?  They just beat a group of kids with one of the best reputations in the '98 birth year, The Pittsburgh Mega Men.  What a nice car it is...

Coach Ray Conway's team marched into Detroit this weekend to participate in the 2008 Showdown in Motown sponsored by Belle Tire.  In addition, they were prepared to defend their 2007 title in the '98 birth year.  Unfortunately, an upset loss to the Flint Icelanders on Saturday morning and the dreaded tiebreaker sent the 'burgers home one day before anyone hoped for.

The Icelanders, playing the regular season in the Squirt AA bracket in the LCAHL, used a spectacular 55-save performance and excellent special teams to pull off the upset.  The Mega Men were unable to solve the goalie all game as every shot seemed to find the pads or glove hand.  In addition, Flint cashed in 3 power play goals, one 5-on-3, and added two odd man rushes to find more than enough offense.

Friday was day one in Detroit, and the club was ready to go.  In game one against TPH, the Kids used a powerful dose of speed and precision to forge ahead 2-0.  In the final frame, TPH used a four-minute stretch to grab a 3-2 lead and put the Kids against the wall.  The club came back on a mission and tallied the tying and game winning goals late.  The latter came with 58 seconds left.  Game two on Friday was against the talented Tri-County Hounds from Canada.  Pittsburgh took advantage of their speed and teamwork and polished off the Northern club 7-3. 

Saturday looked like a good chance to pick up 2 more wins, but the team could only muster a win in the afternoon.  After the Flint setback, the team faced Allen Park in their pool finale.  After observing the Mega's speed in warm ups, the Huskies resorted to a tough and physical approach.  The Kids fought through it and thoroughly dominated the Michigan club by a 4-1 score. 

After the Allen Park win, Pittsburgh needed all kinds of help to advance to the semi-finals.  In the end, it was just too much to get as Victory Honda, TPH, and the Mega Men all tied with 3-1 records.  With a three-way tie, goal differential solved the mystery and the other two clubs moved on.

Next up for the '98s is a couple weeks of hard workouts to prepare for the North American Prospects tournament in Rochester, NY.  All game action will take place at the spacious ESL Sports Centre from May 16-18.

The Spring Season began this weekend for the 1998 Mega Men and the result was a 2-game sweep of the Wooster Selects.  In the opener, Coach Ray Conway's club stormed back from an early 2-goal deficit to claim a 9-6 win.  The Megas outshot the visitors 2 to 1 as the Kids used the contest to get to know one another and build their team chemistry.

In the finale, Pittsburgh found enough offense to cruise to an 8-5 victory.  The club broke a 2-2 tie open midway through the second period.  The Kids will go back to work over the next 2 weeks as they prepare for their first tournament the weekend of April 25-27th.

Coach Ray Conway's Pittsburgh Mega Men will take the ice for the first time this season as they skate against the Wooster Selects.  The Selects will travel to Pittsburgh on Sunday, April 13th, for a two-game set.  All the action will take place at the Harmarville Bladerunners Complex.  Game 1 is scheduled for 10:00AM and the follow up for 1:30PM.

The Megas will use the scrimmages as a final tune up for their trip to the 2008 Showdown in Motown Tournament.  The schedule has yet to be released, but the club will travel to Detroit to begin game action on Friday, April 25th.