Austin Baidas. Photo by Ross Forman.
The Chicago Blackwolves couldn't retain their championship in the annual Coors Cup predominantly-gay hockey tournament, held Aug. 31-Sept. 3 at the Ice Centre at the Promenade in Westminster, Colo.
But the Blackhawks kept the L.A. Blades from advancing to the playoffs —and it was the Blades who won the gold medal last summer in Chicago at the Gay Games.
The Blackwolves, who were playing in the top-tiered Competitive Division ( as opposed to Recreation in 2005 ) , lost their first two games, falling 6-0 to the Consenting Adults and 8-0 to the host Colorado Climax. The Chicagoans regrouped in their third game, defeating Mutiny 6-2 behind a five-point performance ( three goals, two assists ) from Rusty Fleury, the goaltending of Keith Halverson ( 22 saves ) and solid defense from Billy Reay and Elizabeth Arundel.
Fleury earned the game's MVP honors.
Laura Moss split time between forward and defense for the Blackwolves, while Larry Zyks centered several scoring chances.
The Blackwolves build a 2-0 lead over the Blades before the Blades cut it to 2-1. Fleury scored what proved to be the game-winning goal as the Blackwolves ultimately triumphed, 3-2.
'After a rough start to the tournament, I was glad to see the team rebound in our final two games, especially hanging on to defeat the Blades after they came to Chicago last summer and won first place in the [ Gay ] Games,' said Chuck Jacobson, founder of the Chicago Gay Hockey Association ( CGHA ) , who scored a goal against the Mutiny. 'The Coors Cup has developed into, arguably, the best gay hockey tournament in the nation.'
Chicagoan Austin Baidas played for the Hollywood Blades in the Recreation Division.
The 2008 Coors Cup will be held next Labor Day weekend in Los Angeles.