We had to wait several months, but we finally got on Saturday a hockey day such as the LFA wishes to offer its members. The four games ended with a difference of two goals or less, including shoot-outs. It was an exciting day worthy of the playoffs, which was a reflection of different trades made along the season and the gradual construction of team identities.

Last Saturday we had four games with different flavors, reflections of the different human realities in the league. The first game, between the Vipers and the Czechers, ended with a convincing victory of theyellow team, a second only in regulation this season. Surprisingly, the Czechers do not seem to have been in the game for so long, according to testimonies I have been able to gather. Still, they have shown great things in the last few games. Despite their difficult season, Ludovic Helias' men finally found a winning recipe, and especially maintained it throughout the game. The faces were probably much more smiling in the room after the game, compared to the last few weeks!

The games played last Saturday were the first to be played in the new form adopted by the league as part of its test aimed at improving the general experience of the players. Since the ice tends to become very snowy quickly, it has been decided that the zamboni would be passed between each period of two 33 minutes running time periods.

Last Saturday, we played the last game of the first half of the season, marked by a three weeks break for the holiday season. This break will allow the league's players to recharge their batteries with the family in order to return to the hostilities on January 7. After 11 games, we can now make a short summary of the first half of the season.

Recently a player reached a milestone in his playing career! Michael Wees, whom many of you know to have played with him over the years, is the first player to reach the plateau of 100 games played in the LFA! Always smiling and positive, Michael is one of the most appreciated players and on whom a team can always count. Even more, he is a sure value as in attack, defensive and a respected leader.

To begin, I would like to apologize to those who have been waiting for news for several days. My studies and especially sickness in my family plus work will have prevented me from writing before today. Anyway, I hope you are ready for tomorrow's games!

My topic this week is related to the recent exchanges and the results of last Saturday's games. As many of you will have noticed, the Vipers finally got their first victory in regulation time this season, thanks in part to a sustained team effort and an increased confidence in their strenght.

After a weird start of the season that saw several players leave for a variety of reason, the balancing of the teams took a hit, wich forced the league's management, in collaboration with the selection committee, to make some strategic exchanges with the clear goal of allowing the chance to everyone to be competitive for the rest of the season. Some teams well provided with offensive or defensive skills were slightly weakened to reinforce those who missed a little something for success.

In recent weeks, we have been able to attend several games that ended in a shootout. This is already a sign in itself that the level of the teams's competitiveness is on the right path. But besides this aspect, we could also witness several spectacular comebacks in the last weeks. Indeed, several teams have seen their lead melt away and the momentum changing side in a blink of an eye.