Thursday, September 5, 2013

Reflections on CXBL Elite Event 2



                I do realize that I’ve left you all hanging for quite some time for this recap and while I hate to disappoint, sometimes (real) life can make it challenging to keep on top of hobbies. Those of you who have followed the blog for a while know that at the beginning of this year, I left my full time job to return to studenthood. Well, August brought with it my final projects and finishing touches as I completed my diploma program and (amazingly) began work at a new job almost immediately. I hate to make excuses but it sure has been a crazy month. I appreciate your patience and I hope that you enjoy the articles enough to make them worth the wait. So it is with no further ado, my recap on Elite event 2. 


                After a devastating storm a few weeks before Central Event 3, the Flag Raiders field was left in tatters. In hopes of going forward with the event, Commando Paintball generously offered to host. Thankfully, the Flag Raiders staff with the help of several willing helpers and the CXBL managed to rebuild in the nick of time allowing the event to go according to the original plan. On behalf of all CXBL athletes, I extend appreciation for the efforts of all those involved and thank you for your time and dedication to the sport we all love. It is your behind the scenes efforts that allow for CXBL events to run so smoothly. 


                With thanks aside, let’s get back to discussion of the Elite showing at their second event of the season! The Elite matches provided a nice mix of predictable stomp shows, tight scores, and some surprises making for an enjoyable event for players and spectators alike. Here are my reflections from this fantastic Elite event. 


Most Exciting Game to Watch – Kitchener Recon VS. Toronto Rockstar


                                                 Rockstar
Photo Credit - Helen E. Grose
       I think most of us were fairly certain that it would be these two teams fighting against the NAX knockout but I have to admit that I expected Rockstar to be the team on the losing end of this exciting match. Recon is built of many familiar faces who have been around the CXBL for several years which made them the somewhat obvious choice for the win here. For this reason, I was surprised to see Kitchener concede the first four points of the match to the Rockstar crew. Recon wasn’t about to give up so early in the game and managed to snatch up 3 flag hangs in the next 6 minutes of the match – seemingly catching Toronto off guard and causing them to get into some penalty trouble. Surprisingly, with two major penalties on the board, Rockstar managed to win another point before the time ran out leaving the score 5-3 at half. 


The second half of this match was pretty back and forth with Rockstar consistently maintaining their lead. The excitement didn’t let up however and the match finished with Kitchener Recon’s Derrick Weltz being given a major penalty with 35 seconds remaining on the clock which resulted in an additional point for Toronto. The disappointed Kitchener line up suffered a devastating 9-6 loss solidifying Rockstar’s position as the final NAX competitor. 



Recon's Gerry Harris-Matticks
Photo Credit - unknown
 
Most Surprising Game – Kitchener Recon VS. Windsor Lockdown

 Recon's Nolan Stoer and Davin Lee
Photo Credit- The Catshack Reports

                I am still in shock following this match. I knew that Recon was not a team to be underestimated – due largely to the individual talent on the team - however, the team had not won a match all season AND heading into this event, Windsor was leading the Elite division. Upsets are expected on occasion within any organized athletics league. Players have on days and off days just like we do in everyday life and that was certainly the case during this match. Recon was “on”. So “on” in fact, they very well could have won this match. After all, they were leading 5-3 at half and then proceeded to take the next two points bringing their lead to 7-3 with 15 minutes remaining. Some of the Windsor players even admitted that the Recon squad just wasn’t allowing them to make those necessary bumps required to close a point. 


                Lockdown is a team made up of seasoned CXBL veterans and when players are as talented and experienced as these guys, they generally are able to adapt and make serious comebacks. Windsor did manage a comeback here but it came too little, too late. They clinched 5 points with Recon earning 1 more in the last 15 minutes of the match bringing the final score to a surprising 8-8 finish. Tying this match was Kitchener’s achievement of the season considering they won’t have the chance to battle for rings at NAX this year. 



 Lockdown's Sam Noddle
Photo Credit - Sheldon Carless

I won’t waste your time talking about which teams were the strongest and the weakest after the last event considering the standings speak for themselves. Montreal Heat (not so surprisingly) finished the season waving from the top of the ranks while Kitchener Recon was the only elite team to be left out of this year’s NAX championships. Oh and let’s be honest, Rockstar is the team to most surpass expectations! The underdogs found themselves with a second chance – the question is, will they make the most of it? 


With all that being said, you may be wondering who my choices are for the NAX championship match this year. I’m sure many of you agree that it would be an absolute thrill to see Windsor Lockdown and Montreal Heat face off again and this is honestly what I expect to see happen this coming weekend at NAX. In a league such as this where professional talent is harder to come by, these players add an unarguable edge and it becomes a real challenge for up-and-coming talent to compete. Montreal is a widely known team filled with extremely skilled professional paintball athletes who know how to work a field. Windsor on the other hand is a widely known team filled with gifted and experienced xball athletes paired with some handpicked professional goodness. Both of these teams have the necessary components for a championship win. So who will it be? I guess we will have to wait and see! Did you really think I'd jinx it by putting my prediction in writing?


Signing off,

The Paintball Wife


P.S. My prediction is that the final match will be between Heat and Lockdown. What are your thoughts? Which teams have what it takes to compete for the championship?