Day 4

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=95 BGCOLOR="#999999" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="08f005f0ermwup.png"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>International Ringette Federation (IRF)</B></FONT><B>     </B><B>|     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="International Ringette Federation (IRF)"><B>home</B></A></div> <div>                                                   </div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=189 style="border-right: 1px solid #CCCCCC;" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id128.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Day 1"><B>Day 1</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id129.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Day 2"><B>Day 2</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id130.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Day 3"><B>Day 3</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id131.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Day 4"><B>Day 4</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id132.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Day 5"><B>Day 5</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id133.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Day 6"><B>Day 6</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id134.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Day 7"><B>Day 7</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id135.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Day 8"><B>Day 8</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id136.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Day 9"><B>Day 9</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id137.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Day 10"><B>Day 10</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id138.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Day 11"><B>Day 11</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id139.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Day 12"><B>Day 12</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id140.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Day 13"><B>Day 13</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id142.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Finnish Experience in Czech Republic"><B>The Finnish Experience</B></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=385 width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> Day 4</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="506" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 989 WIDTH="500"><div> Today we started out our day with a buffet breakfast at our hotel in Prague, the Hotel Duo. We then jumped on the bus and headed out to the Nizbor Crystal Factory, which is located approximately 35 kms outside of the city. The factory was a small, very old fashioned series of buildings. We were greeted by tour guides who briefly discussed crystals and then led us through the step by step process of crystal making. It was a real eye opener into the amount of work put into making crystal products. We were astonished by the lack of technology throughout the plant. The workers used dirty, dusty, rusted out equipment that looked like it was never cleaned and was probably from the early 1900's. We also noticed that it seemed that safety was not an important aspect to the workers, only 2 of the workers that were carving the lines of designs into the crystalworks wore safety glasses and only 1 worker wore a safety mask. It seemed as though safety was not a high priority, yet it looked like there were many risks involved. We then were set loose in the giftshop! There were many different souvenirs, ranging from small figurines to elaborate vases, with everything from crystal flowers, elephants, glasses, and ashtrays in between. The prices ranged from about $2.50CA to $100.00CA; everything was handcrafted and very beautiful. Pretty much everyone in our group came out with some purchases. Mrs. Ballard definitely won the shopping award for this stop! She came out with numerous large bags filled to the brim! The factory also gave us all a small gift, everyone either received a small decorative heart or little bird figurine. </div> <bR> <div> We were then off to the lunch at McDonalds, and let us tell you, it's NOT the same as in Canada. With our nutritious lunch in our bellies, we headed to the arena for the games. </div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Game 1 Red Vs Tikkakoski </U></B></div> <div> The Polar Bears Team Red were off to a slow start, and were down 3-1 by the end of the first period and they managed to come back with a goal, but in the end were not able to pull it off. The 3rd period was suddenly cut short due to an ice scheduling problem and the game ended with a 4-2 victory for the Finnish team. </div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Game 2 White Vs Finnish Selects</U></B><U> </U></div> <div> Polar Bears Team White started off with a quick goal by Alex Reginato within the 1st minute of play. They quickly tallied up 2 more goals and ended the first period with a 3-1 lead. In the second period, the Finns managed to squeeze 2 goals past goaltender Kelsey DeForest. With the game tied @ 3-3, the teams battled back and forth to a 6-6 tie. Stacey Johnson had a goal, Solana Green tallied 2, and Dayna Ballard added to the score. Kristina van Eden and Tracey Lefebre were very strong on defence, leading the team to a deadlocked tie. It was a tough fought battle, with goals being added till the last 7 seconds of the game. </div> <bR> <div> We then went to a restaurant in downtown Prague for a lovely dinner of soup, pork, potatoes, and strudel. </div> <bR> <div> Solana & Erin</div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 ><NOBR><div> Fireworks at the players' party the first night in Prague</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 434 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="0ec3aac0.jpg" border=0 width="570" height="428" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>