Inline skating nets local teens bronze medal

By Lisa Paine
Posted Thursday, August 7, 2008

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By Lisa Paine
VIEW Sports Editor

ROCHESTER HILLS — For two Grand Blanc High incoming sophomores, the sport of inline hockey has paid off with a recent bronze medal finish at the Junior National Olympics in Rochester Hills, June 24-July 6.

Logan Nelson and Austin Ames, both 15, picked up the sport at an early age. Logan started at the age of five on a local roller rink recreational league, while Austin started playing at the age of seven after switching over from ice hockey.

For the past two years, the pair has played for the Summit Hot Shots out of Mt. Morris, playing twice a week with practices the rest of the week. The boys rotate between forward and defense positions.

“I have always loved to play hockey ever since I could stand in a pair of skates,” Logan said. His mom says that he used to skate on the carpet in the house.

“I’m just happy to be able to play the best game in the world,” said Austin.

Unlike ice hockey, inline hockey is played on a special flooring surface of tiles, but the boards are the same as in traditional hockey. The equipment is very similar, except for the ice skates and shoulder pads. In inline hockey, players skip the shoulder pads, but wear hip pads and roller hockey pants, shin guards, a cushioned chest protector, elbow and mouth guards and a helmet.

Each team has two forwards, two defensemen and a goalie. The pace is faster than traditional hockey, and rules are very similar with no icing, and contact is incidental.

The Summit Hot Shots is a U-14 AA division team that plays weekends with team in and outside the state. Coach Dave Smith has taught the boys many new aspects and strategies of the game, and both say he is the best coach they have had.

The Hot Shots placed first at the regional qualifier for the Jr. National Olympics then traveled to Feasterville, Pa., where they faced teams from across the globe in U-10 through U-18 and in divisions A-AAA.

In the team’s initial game against the RBK Jr. Ducks from California, they tied, 3-3. In the second game, they also tied with Team Rhinos from Colombia with a score of 4-4. In the third game against MPH, a Michigan team, the Summit logged its first win, 10-2.

At the end of the round-robin play, the team was seeded No. 8. To start the playoff run, the Michigan Storm defeated Summit, 5-2. However, the tables were turned when the Summit beat the New Jersey Salsa, 7-1, to put the Hot Shots in a position to go for the gold medal. Unfortunately, the RBK Ducks from California ended that run with a 6-3 win over the Summit.

In the bronze medal round, Summit played the Rochester Blades and won, 8-1, to bring home the medal. Logan ended the tournament with nine goals and two assists and Austin finished with three goals and five assists.