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Our last 'long distance' hockey tournament of the Bantam B season took us to Western Pennsylvania and the small towns around Pittsburgh. We left on Friday morning, stopping in Altoona at the 'El Campesino Mexican Restaurant' for some lunch. We had stopped here on the way home during our Pittsburgh 2009 trip, and it was good enough that we searched it out again!
After lunch, we made our way to our hotel for this tournament, the Doubletree Monroeville. It was adjacent to a shopping mall in suburban Pittsburgh. First game of the tournament was early evening on Friday against the Elyria Panthers at the Ice Garden in Rostraver. This was the same facility that a year before made national news when the ice on it's roof made the roof collapse. It was evident that the 'middle' of the rink was new, while the ends, as well as the waiting area, were all the classic looking dark wood. Very nice rink to start the tournament off in.
We made our way back towards the hotel after the game, stopping and having dinner at the Primanti Brothers in Monroeville. Great eats, and always a 'keeper' when we are in P-Burgh.
Saturday brought an early morning game at the Valley Ice Complex against the Bradford Bulldogs, a small but tough team from Ontario. Back to the hotel afterwards so Mike could de-stink and then we went into Pittsburgh.
One of our two favorite areas in Pittsburgh is the 'Southside Works' area, a compilation of stores and eateries. Of course, another of our 'regular' Pittsburgh food options is here - the Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh. With Mike's trip there with us, that increased his 'total' to two (of the four) Hofbrauhaus' in the U.S. After lunch, we drove over by the stadiums so Mike could see them, before going back to the hotel.
Our last game of the tournament was late on Saturday night, at Blade Runners in Harmarville, against the Shaha Panthers. This was the facility that the Pitt Panthers D-1 program plays at. Mike played in this game, and the Sens just came out flat, with no D in front of him. Back to the hotel afterwards.
Sunday morning we slept in a bit considering we didn't have a game to play. We packed up the room and went out in search of brunch. Yet another of our faves in Western PA - the Point Brugge Cafe'! We found this little gem during our 2010 trip to Pittsburgh, and it's one that we will search out everytime we make it out here! An awesome brunch, once again!
Into the car, and then off for the six hour drive back to Binghamton.
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Page Last Updated: March 16, 2011
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