January 6, 2004

The last time! The last time I wrote, I left off with us arriving in Helsinki. What a city. This place is happening. I wish more cities in America were like this. On our second day off, Sunday, a couple of teammates, my dad and I toured the city. There are massive churches, bright signs and huge buildings that are all perfectly aligned right next to each other. There is a seaport where the ships and cruises dock, and plenty of stores to spend your money in. The nice thing about the city is that it clean and safe. Again, people walk everywhere around here or take the trolley. It is a nice place to be. Another great thing about Helsinki is the locals' enthusiasm about the tournament being here. I will get to that in just a second.

Finishing first place in our division put us playing the winner of Russia-Finland. If we could have chosen the team to play, we would’ve picked Russia. Already beating them 4-1, we knew they were beatable and we could do it again. Finland, on the other hand, had already beaten us and we would have to play in front of the home crowd, which is never a good thing. As it turns out we played Finland, and won, 2-1, in a really close game. The crowd was unbelievably loud at the start of the game and when they scored, but we did a good job of keeping them to a minimum noise level. With a sold-out crowd, it was something I will never forget. This was our hardest game of the tournament. The tempo seemed that of an NHL game. I would say we were a little rusty coming off the two-day break, but we played hard and did the little things that win big games. So now we have one game left! The Gold medal game!

We are so fired up to play especially against the Canadians. It was pretty hard to get to sleep the night before the game, just so pumped up to play. Well, I woke up sick, which wasn’t really what I expected. It got me a little down. So, after our ritual pregame skate I was hooked up to an IV to get some fluids in me. The first needle stuck in me didn’t work out so they did it again, just to increase the pain. It would’ve been nice to have a little numbness, but it didn’t work out that way in the Finnish first aid room. To help me out, our Finnish host, Risto, taught me a little something about how to cure an upset stomach -- blueberry soup. It works! It tasted pretty good, too. After a long nap to get some rest, I felt better and was ready to go play some hockey.

I wore my lucky cowboy hat to the rink; I have worn it every major championship game and never have lost wearing it. I first wore this cowboy at the Brick tournament back when I was 9-years-old. I was feeling better as time went on, and after warmups was good to go. During the first period, however, I got hit in the throat with a shot. That did not feel too good, but it was nice going into the second period tied, 1-1. The second period didn’t go too well, as they scored on their first shift and then added another one to make it 3-1 going into the third period. With a great third-period effort, though, we were able to come back and score three goals in the final period of the final game.

This might also be the last time some of us will represent our country, too, so it was awesome to go out with a bang. My lip found himself cut open by a stick from one of their players, and he wasn’t too happy. The 10 stitches it took to get healed was not a problem, however, because we were celebrating something that no other U.S. team had done. The atmosphere was unbelievable, something that you cannot duplicate, especially after one of the greatest comebacks I have ever been a part of. It is too good to be true! We are the best team in the world!

One last thing before my poetry ends ... I would like to thank everybody at USA Hockey for all they have done and for the coaches who let the players come and be a part of this amazing experience, especially Michigan's Red Berenson, North Dakota's Dean Blais, and Michigan State's Rick Comley for letting three players make the trip out here. That's appreciated a bunch.

Whats up! Hello, again…

I know it has been a couple of days since I have informed you of any significant changes, and there have been quite a few. First, I will start off with the tourist part of the trip. Our team decided to take a walk instead of a pregame skate before the Russia game. I learned a lot on this walk. First thing I learned was that almost everybody here in Finland walks. It was absolutely freezing out, and there were plenty of pedestrians out for their routine walk. They walk for recreation, they walk to the stores, they walk to get food. They walk just to walk. And they have plenty of equipment for their strolls. Some of the people have spikes in the heels of their shoes so they don’t slip on the ice that covers the sidewalks. Others use what seem to be ski poles, for balance.

What also amazed me was the other means of transportation. The trains here are all electric. Our team was walking next to the railway and we had a train come from behind us and completely scared us. We couldn't even here it comin’. It was so quiet, yet so fast. It amazed me. They also have commuter buses -- for the lazy people who don’t walk anywhere -- hooked up to this electric system. I like the idea; it’s a lot cleaner over here.

Before I get into the hockey part, I also learned something about my team. During our downtime, if we’re not playing cards, watching TV, or sleeping, guys are always talking to their girlfriends. There’s no one better to lead than the captain himself, Mark Stuart, always talking to his girlfriend. We even have a couple of the guy’s girlfriends over here cheering us on. Well, enough about that, just had to mention that part.

Now comes the biggest game of the tournament up until that point, playing the Russians -- by far the best team we will have played through the round robin. If we won this game, we would clinch first place, as most of you know, and get two days of rest and recovery. This is a much-needed break, so we could rest up for the main part of the tournament, the semi and final game. There was a lot at stake, other than just the idea of beating Russia. We knew that we had to stay out of the penalty box if we were going to have a chance at beating the very skilled Russian power play. We kept our composure and played our game. We played hard and smart. We did the little thing that win big games; our team had over 20 blocked shots that game. We kept our turnovers to a minimum. We played to our strengths and to their weaknesses. We shot the puck, we hit, we battled down low and we won the one-on-one battles. Our penalty kill was awesome, and so was our power play. This was a good sign that our team was coming together and going to be ready to play when it really counted. So, after a big win on New Year’s Eve, we celebrated the beginning of a new year together as a team. It was pretty nice to be with some of your closest friends on New Year’s Day, even though they can’t replace family. On New Year’s morning we departed for Helsinki, Finland, where we would play the last two games of the tournament.

It is pretty late here, so I will fill you in more later. One more game! Stay Strong! Thanks for all your support so far.

Another great day in Finland. Nothing much has changed, except we saw the sun today! That was a change, for once -- it’s been a while since the sun popped through the clouds. Around the hotel it’s been the same. After games we play pitch, a card game, we watch MTV, since it’s the only thing that is interesting on TV here, except for Friends, which comes on every now and then. No Seinfeld, though, which happens to be my favorite show. We also watch a lot of movies on our portable DVD players. I have watched Braveheart, which I mentioned the last time, Catch Me If You Can, an excellent movie -- I give it two thumbs up -- and I have watched some episodes of my old favorite show, Bevis and Butthead. They still crack me up.

Around the rink things have been great. We just finished a game in which we beat Sweden, 4-3, in a nail biter. The game-winner came was scored by Steve Werner, his second of the game, when we were killing a penalty. Steve was also the MVP of the game of our team. Our guys have been playing great, but the next couple of games we will need to play a little bit better ‘cause the competition only gets better from here on in.

All the players are pretty much 100 percent health-wise, except for a couple of bumps and bruises here and there. Ryan Kesler had a close call, taking a stick in the eye. He looks tough with the black and blue eye, though! Our trainers and staff have been excellent. They do an unbelievable job and take care of everything. We have a team masseuse, which is really nice after the practices and games to help relax.

Well, tomorrow is going to be crazy in the states as well as here with the New Year. I guess Hameenlinna is going to be crazy with a fireworks display and a bunch of rowdy Fins. It’s also going to be a battle between the Russians and the Americans. This is the game I have been looking forward to the most, and so has everybody else. I don’t think the games get much more exciting than this. These are games you play hockey for. We are going against the No. 1 prospect for the NHL draft, as well as some other players that play in the NHL already.

Our guys are excited, and it’s going to be a battle. If we win, we clinch first place in our division and get a much-needed two days off. With two days off, my journal entries probably can be a little bit better! Well, have a fun night tomorrow and be safe, and Happy New Year!

After the game yesterday, there was a radical change for me. A couple of players on the team challenged me to cut my hair, because they know that I have the best flow at the World Junior Championship. Well, I took them up on it, since my pride could not be damaged. I look like Mr. Biggelsworth. But it is worth it. I don’t have to worry about my hair anymore, which is a change.

Today I was able to go to McDonald’s with my dad and a couple of teammates and their parents. It felt like we were at home for a little bit -- until some locals were taking pictures of us secretly with their camera phones. I got them back by sneaking up on them with a camera and snapping a good shot of them. They were embarrassed for a little bit, but started giggling again. There are a lot of shops here in Finland, but the goods are pretty pricey. So, instead of shopping today, I watched “Braveheart” with my dad. It got me fired up to play. So we will see how our team and I will do tomorrow!  Keep on rooting for the Red, White, and Blue!

Merry Christmas! This is the first time I have celebrated without my family, and it was kinda weird. A couple of other team members and I went to church today, even though the whole service was in Finnish. I could make out the song, "O Come All Ye Faitful." When I got back to the hotel I was able to open up a couple of Christmas presents that my mom sent with me.

It is nothing like Christmas at home, though. My dad is coming tomorrow, so I am excited to see him. Yesterday was our big USA Christmas party. It was very fun -- we had all contributed a T-shirt to a huge sack, and, one by one, we all got to pick one out. I ended up with a USA Hockey shirt contributed by one of the staff members, which was better than picking a UofM one, since I don't think I could wear that around Michigan State. We also had a gift exchange, where every team member brought a gift to trade. I was given the DVD Catch Me If You Can. We also played Catchphrase, which boosted the team spirit. Thanks to USA Hockey, we also all received a nice pair of sunglasses for our Christmas present. Overall, it was a Christmas we'll never forget.

Now, to the main reason we're here -- to win the gold! Two days ago we left Vierumaki to come here, to Hameenlinna, to play Finland. After an outcome that was disappointing, a 4-1 loss, our team realized that it had to pick up its play. It was unfortunate that they scored three of their goals on the power play, but that was good for our team discipline.

It is time to get down to business. After a great team meeting, which emphasized that the main reason we are here is to win the gold, we believe it's not just about being excited to be here. Our team is very excited about playing tomorrow against Austria. It's our first round-robin game and will be a good one to build the team's chemistry. We are all pumped up to play and start our climb to the top of the mountain! Until next time, have a great Christmas and God bless.

We arrived here a little after 9 a.m. after flying in to Helsinki, Finalnd. So, for our good night's sleep we had to rest on the plane, which we could only do for a maximum of three hours since the flight was crowded and hot, however, it was a heavenly arrival as the glowing red sun was shining off the bubbly coulds. I haven't seen the sun since. At most there are only four hours of sunlight during the winter days. While walking to the rink at 2 o'clock yesterday, the sun was making its way down, leaving a long casting shadow, as the sun would only be up for about another hour or so. We have about a foot of fresh snow today, which is Tuesday the 22nd.

The first day here we were running on three hours of sleep, so it was nice to finally settle in and get organized. On that day we practiced and got the jet leg out of us. Yesterday we skated twice and today we will skate twice. Practices have been great, it's good to get on the ice with my old coach again, Mike Eaves. The skill level is tremdous, playing with the top players in America at 20-years-old. It has been awesome seeing all my old buddies I used play with at the U.S. National Under-18 team, and all the other players I know, as well. It really is a close team, as everybody pretty much knows everybody else. We have been hanging out watching Finnish TV, playing cards and telling old stories about hockey and life.

Yesterday, as a team, we went to a natural sauna, which was terrific. The only catch was that about a 100 yards away, there was a lake that you're supposed to jump in! Well, the tempurature was in the teens and it was snowing out and there really was no path to the lake, so it wasn't really a high priority to go and jump in. After our captain of the team, Mark Stuart decided to be a leader and go do it, I did it as well. The whole team followed! It really was freezing, but an awesome rush. After a nice, long sauna, which was so nice, we got an unbelievable meal. Steaks, potatoes, vegtables and delecious dessert was all we could've asked for. They are treating us very well here -- both the staff and natives, getting us ready for our first game tomorrow, which is an exhibition game against Finland in Hameenlinna.

Hammeenlinna is where are first four games will be played. The game I am really looking forward to is the game against the Russians. This will be our toughest game.

Until the next time, go USA!

David Booth, a sophomore forward at Michigan State University, will file a regular diary throughout the 2004 World Junior Championship tournament in Finland.