Posted by pbguide Posted   914 daysago

The League: APBL (Atlantic Paintball League)
The Location: Mission Paintball in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
The APBL is one of two leagues in the Atlantic Region of Canada. Since it is relatively a small market for the paintball industry most players know each other well and many have played against each other for many years. There are two divisions for players 3 man Xball Lite which allows seven teams made up of newer players to get a taste of the Xball format and the second Xball division which is a race to seven format that hold five franchise spots. Since missing out on the 2008 Atlantic Canadian season while playing in the Millennium Series there were the usual familiar faces including some from the original Impulse days but yet many new players which is what will help keep this sport alive and kicking. Since I was guest player for a team and missing out the first event I was not familiar with the players on the team I would be playing with nor the teams we would be playing against. Remember while guesting that sometimes this can cause some issues but always roll with how the games are going and what the team’s ability is. Not every team will be as cohesive as teams who have played together for years but do note that without support the newer teams might play one or two seasons and you will have less competition and might have to find other places to play in the future.

Important Notes For Any Players Flying To Events
There are many of the common sense things you need to do before flying like separating your tank and the regulator (don’t think that if you cover it up enough the security guards will not notice it) make sure you safely store your marker so it doesn’t get damaged from miss handled luggage and always ensure that you have your contact information on your bag and the serial number of any equipment you do take along. Some things that usually get forgotten are making sure that you bring along extra parts for your air system, loader and marker, with haven flown many times and had multiple times air system issues since the pressure can some time cause you to have leaks when you put your regulator and tank back together at the event. Make sure that you pack light; there is nothing worse than getting to the airport to be knocked with additional fees for being overweight (Note luggage being overweight, try a healthy diet and running more to help with personal weight issues). It also helps to actually dress professionally, not saying suit and tie but you would be surprised what you can get away with or get upgraded to if you look more presentable upon checking in. Almost even more important is to have all the details on where you are playing, where you are staying, and the contact information of the team you are helping out.
Arriving In Moncton New Brunswick
While I say these above travel tips I have been told many times that I do not listen, so landing at an airport with a dead cell, without any change to use a payphone, not knowing when I would get picked up or even where I was staying was the official start to being back on the east coast of Canada. This is exactly what will happen if you are not prepared, please take note.
After some random luck and getting picked up by the owner of the team and getting settled into the hotel room I had the temptation to get in touch with long time friends and old teammates who reff the APBL league to go out have some drinks and enjoy the night before the event. While this may be accepted on your regular team this would not be considered the best things to do when asked to guest for a team. If the whole team is hitting up the bars the night before it might be okay but you don’t want to be the only player on the team with a hangover in the morning trying to get ready for the games.
The morning started early with the team I was a guest for Renegades having the first match, this didn’t allow much time to walk the field or even have the team get all their gear in order for the game. While being used to some chaos at events but starting off in chaos is not how you want to kick off an event this was apparent throughout the match. The match went to Moncton Korruption as they landed at the seven point mark without any points being scored by Renegades with all of the issues that can happen in the pits when you are not totally prepared. The next match had Mission Paintball’s own Strict Union who also have a franchise in the Eastern Division of the CXBL up against Atlantic Storm. While both teams have access to top level practice facilities it would be the additional experienced players & better training which would allow Strict Union to come out on top with a  7 – 1 win.


The third match of the day had the Grand Falls Dawgs who picked up their name form being the underdog team in the first season of the APBL facing the new underdog team Renegades. With having enough time to regroup and work on the issues from the first match the guys on Renegades proved that once things are more organized the team can compete even with being accessed with multiple minor penalties and a major called on myself (Thanks Jeff). Even with some times only having two players on the field Renegades put up five points to the Dawgs seven points before the end of the match leaving it at 7 - 5 in favous for the Dawgs.
Moncton Korruption faced off against Atlantic Storm as the last match or the morning With Atlantic Storm coming of a loss in the first match they did not turn things around with the erros they had made and Korruption had took its second match of the day running a full seven points in to leave the score to 7 – 0.

After the short lunch break which gave the group of refs some rest from the sun and time to grab some of the food (The best I have seen provided to refs at an event ever) and some tasty Gatorade to keep everyone hydrated in the hot weather. It was Strict Union facing against Renegades in the first match of the afternoon. With having played against any of the original Strict Union players for many years I had expected their usual amount of over shooting and other tricks and helped prepare the Renegades to do the exact back to them. After the first point was awarded to Strict Union, I had exited the field through their teams pit area knowing that it would throw some of the short tempered players off the game which turned into a nice exchange of some select words and even one player telling me to return to the Millennium Series as I was told by the team coach after the match. With having agitating some players every point I had played afterward had many guys on field gunning for me and of course tons of smack talk from the pits.
After having played against the top UK teams in 2008 like London Nexus, London Shock & Birmingham Disruption no amount of intimidation would compare so I would just give a nice friendly wave to the pits from the start gate. The game ended with Strict Union getting to seven with Renegades only putting up one point but still something to be pleased with the amount of experienced Strict Xball players compaired to newer players on Renegades.
The second last match of the event had Grand Falls Dawgs face Atlantic Storm and with the leadership and more experience from team captain Todd Mason. The Dawgs finished the match 7 – 2 leaving Atlantic Storm with their third loss of the day and keeping them at the bottom of the standings for the season so far.
To close the event off it was Moncton Korruption taking on Strict Union and this match went point for point and really was one of the best matches at the third APBL event. With both teams in close battle for first place in the 2009 all season, it was easy to see that there was a lot riding on the outcome of this match. With the outcome being a 5 – 5 tie it allowed Strict Union to keep their first place standing so far in the 2009 APBL season but with Korruption only off by one more win and a plus/minus short of three there is a lot at stake at the fourth APBL event at Storm Warning Paintball in Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada.





APBL Standings Post Event 2






5 Man Division
Standings - E2




Teams
G
W
L
T
P
+/-



1st


Strict Union


6


4


0

2

10


20



2nd

Moncton Korruption


6


4


1

1

9


23



3rd

Dawgz


5


3


1

1

7


6



4th

Renegades


5


1


4

0

2


-14



5th

Atlantic Storm


6


0


6

0

0


-35








Lite Division
Standings - E2



Teams
G
W
L
T

P

+/-



1st


Punishers


4


4


0

0

8


24



2nd

Spikes 5150


4


3


0

1

7


13



3rd

Termination


4


2


1

1

5


1



4th

Aggression


4


2


2

0

4


6



5th

Shockers


4


1


3

0

2


-4



6th

Xit Woundz


4


1


3

0

2


-11



7th

Wolfpack


4


0


4

0

0


-29