Birds chirping, crocuses blooming, and the long endless rain seemingly coming to an end. All signs that spring has arrived in Vancouver. On this cool spring day we saw a mix of originals and imports descend on to Ambleside Park for the first VRH session of the year. We had a good number show up with 8, which meant 3 on 3 with two goalies. Just the way you want to start off a new season.

The first game was played 3 on 2 as we waited for Albert to get to the rink. After that we got a good 5 games in to make the total 6 on the day. Today also saw a new rookie for this year in Ryan. Essentially the teams for the day started with Ryan and Stefan against Andrew, Bernie and Lorne. When Albert arrived we picked new teams, which were essentially old teams with Albert going to the Bernie/Lorne team, and Andrew joining Stefan and Ryan. Joern was starting goalie for the Stefan/Ryan team while Laird started with Lorne/Bernie. After two blowouts by the Lorne/Bernie team, Laird was traded for Joern, which started off the true series of the day.

ARS won the first game with the new configuration 5-4. While the second game was won by ABL with a similar score of 5-4. The next game was another blowout with ABL winning 5-1. ARS went down early in the fourth game, but found a way to battle back to tie the series with another 5-4 win. At this point however there was a lot of people feeling fatigued, and a growing crowd of kids wanting to use the rink, so we decided to end the series with a shootout (I can already hear Kyle crying bloody murder). Essentially the shootout saw everyone miss except for Albert, who won the series for ABL.

Recap, hockey was played, everyone had a blast, and with the addition of a few BUSH leaguers, this could be the start of a glorious season for VRH.

Thanks, Stef! An excellent session to start off the Burton 2008 season. The VRH gang should be able to get a few sessions in before BUSH can start its season, so let’s hope this is the start of something big for ’08. Lorne takes the day with another plus-20 session, going 13G-8A-21P on 51 shots. Stefan put up a lot of shots as well, notching 15 points on 45 shots, but it was Albert who was the expert marksman this day, as he netted ten goals on just 24 shots; the town split second-star honours. Laird had a good first game, and Joern had a decent last game, but the first game was the difference as both goalies had mediocre sessions otherwise in the big Ambleside nets. Laird took top goalie honours .763-.706.

Season Stats: Well, the season stats aren’t going to be any different right now than the session stats, are they? Lorne already has a six-point gap over Stefan and Albert. Lorne, Stefan, and Ryan share the assist lead. Lorne and Stefan, as usual, dominate in shots on goal. Albert has a sickening 41.67 shooting percentage, which is comparable to his rookie session. Andrew is right behind at 38.89. Laird leads all goaltending categories over Joern.

On the all-time front: Lorne needs one point to become the second player to reach 1,100. Bernie is seven points behind Justin on the all-time scoring list. Andrew passes 100 career points, and passes Tony for fifth in all-time VRH scoring. Lorne needs twelve goals for 700. Lorne passes Lee for fourth in assists. Stefan needs 49 shots for 2,000. Joern needs 96 saves for 2,000. Lorne moves 20 three-star points ahead of Lee. Albert records his first 10-goal and 15-pointers. Bernie plays his 15th straight session; Stefan his tenth. Laird, Lorne, Joern, Stefan, and Bernie have played in all nine seasons of Burton Hockey. Justin, Oliver, and Lee will likely join that club later this season as BUSH begins its schedule. Justin is expected to switch affiliation to VRH sometime this season.

SDF/GDF: Lorne and K.J. continues to reign on the scoring and goaltending charts.

Not only can you check out the Records and Honours as usual, you can browse through some exciting session photos taken by Crystal, our expert cameraperson for the session! There’s over 40, so go look already! Let’s hope this is the signal of a Burton rebirth after a disappointing 2007.