The year is 2018.  We’ve been consistently beating Cumberland each month.  That was our barometer for success.  I’m the Bedford Bandits Player/Coach, Matt Price.  “I’m telling them tonight.  It’s time.  I said ‘no’ last year.  But they’ve put in the work, and we are ready to see the next level,” I told asst coach Justin Smith.  “We need to go to Nationals.  I know we can compete.  But, we’ll never be the best until we beat the best!”  “What teams do you want to send?” asked Justin Smith.  “All of them!” I answered.  

“Alright guys, Listen up.  Last year a few of you went to Nationals with Cumberland.  But, we (Bedford Bandits) have been training twice a week for 2 years now.   You’ve sacrificed your Friday and Saturday nights all year.  We’ve done drill after drill.  We’ve scrimmaged every practice.  On top of the practice’s we’ve played the Cumberland Raiders every month.  It’s time to face the best of the other 23 clubs in the country.  I believe that if we play our best, all our teams can compete at Nationals.  It’s time to show everyone what we’ve been up to here in little Bedford, PA.”

I knew that going to Nationals was a big challenge.  The Bedford Bandits Club entered 6 teams.  We competed in the 8u, 10u, 12u, 15u, Bronze and World Class divisions.  On top of training and prepping for the games, a trip to Lincoln, Nebraska needs to be planned out and paid for 50 players and families.  It is a logistical challenge.  I’ve been going to Nationals most of my life, but now we are taking an entire club.  We had no choice, but to figure this thing out.  

Next hurdle was more practice.  We were very fortunate that our rink owners gave us additional practice time.  I had a list of weaknesses for each team, and we really focused on those the last 12 weeks before we left.  We couldn’t have done it without the extra time.  

Bedford Bandits Go To Lincoln, Nebraska

After months of planning and fund raising and practicing, the Bedford Bandits were packing up and heading to Nationals.  This is a first for almost everyone.  The Bandits were trekking across the country, and most of the players had no idea what to expect.  In fact, some of the players couldn’t even skate 2 years ago!  None of us had been to Nebraska.  However; I have played rink hockey my whole life and have even participated on Team USA.   I’m well aware of what we are trying to do.  But, I also have no idea what is going to happen. 

I gave them the usual advice that we preached in practice and at tournaments, “Whatever happens…don’t give up.  Play as a team.  Work through all the hard stuff.  There will be obstacles, unexpected and difficult, but if we face them as a team, we can get through it.”  Everyone was very excited.  The amount of teamwork that it took to grow from just 2 players 2 years ago to the largest club in the country proved that we had something special.  We arrived in Lincoln!

“Remember,” said Coach Matt, “Every year at Nationals there are tryouts for the USA World Team.  You’ll have to participate in drills similar to those we do in practice.  Then you’ll scrimmage.  There’ll be a panel that picks the team.  How you perform in the drills and scrimmage are important, but the panel also considers your attitude and how you conduct yourself in the games.  You are always representing yourself and Bedford Bandits.

The Games  

In all my years, I never saw a team arrive at Nationals like we did…as a team.  Everyone is in their cars or rental cars.  We pulled into Nationals in a chartered bus.  We quickly sent the message that we don’t do things like everyone else.  I addressed the club as we pulled up to the drop off.  

“Nebraska rinks are the same size as Moon Glo and Moon Glo II.” I explained.  “We have to relax and play our game.”  

We had been game tested leading up to this point, but with 24 clubs spread out across the country, there isn’t a league.  Honestly, we are lucky that we have a club only 30 miles away.  We played against the Cumberland Raiders every month.  Still, I set very high goals for us.  Simply Win….but national champs?!  Honestly, we were hoping to make a good showing and win some games.  

I knew our players very well.  I understood what Nationals and that pressure is like.  My job as coach was to make sure they were having fun.  They do their best when we have a balance of fun and work.  I also kept an eye on them off the rink.  I didn’t want any off-rink shenanigans  effecting our game.  

As the tournaments got under way, we found our teams winning.  we believe success brings confidence and confidence brings more success.  All our teams kept winning and winning.  I was playing on our world class team, but honestly, the most fun I had was watching our kids have so much fun and success.   In one day the Bedford Bandits went from a wide-eyed group of newbies to a confident team of rink hockey veterans.  We were beating teams that I knew were historically at top.  We were out skating everyone!  

Bedford Bandits Playing for Gold