Customer Reviews

In the Crease

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This movie captures a very unique perspective on youth ice hockey. It touches on the struggles of the kids that play, the parents who take part and the families that give up alot of other things to come together and enjoy an experience that is truly 'once in a lifetime'. I can honestly say that I enjoyed the film from start to finish and the clips with professional players just reinforced the message that was there. If you want to see some glamour film about hockey go rent, slap shot, youngblood or miracle, if you want real hockey about kids who live to play & breathe this is the movie to buy and see.
Highly recommend this film to any parents or kids who are looking for a story about hockey w/out the glitz & glamour, just the story of kids from California that nobody said could play at the level of kids from big hockey areas.

I bought this DVD for my ten year old as a Christmas present and we both thought it was excellent. The hockey is great, the kids in the story are really likeable, and the ending totally surprised us. It was definitely better than most Hollywood movies and no bad language or inappropriate stuff for kids either! Just an all around great hockey story.

These filmmakers got it right. They capture every element of being a serious young athlete working hard to "Make it happen". The film is also jam packed with cameo appearances by professional hockey players recalling their years in youth hockey. It is true; players never forget a goal, that big win or disappointing loss. This hockey team that made it to Nationals may be out of California, with quite a mix of ethnic backgrounds, but they know how to play hockey. Good watching.

This documentary has a "movie-type" feel at times, but it realistically follows a team of young hockey players on their quest to win a national championship. Their coach is incredible with them, and my husband (who is a coach, referee, and still a player as well) and my son (a bantam player) have both watched it more than a few times and enjoyed it thoroughly. The story is told from the perspectives of the coach, the players, parents, and includes short interviews and comments from many NHL players. This video is a "must have" for anyone involved in youth hockey, and I think anyone involved in hockey at ANY level would benefit greatly from it. It's like with any other sport - it will help people remember what "the game" is REALLY supposed to be about - it isn't just WINNING...it's teamwork, dedication, good coaching, integrity, and winning (and losing) with grace and dignity.

I saw an interview with the director in between periods of a NY Ranger game and thought it sounded good so I went over to the computer and ordered it from Amazon. I am glad that I did. It's a great look into the world of youth hockey and the commitment not of only the kids who play and the coaches, but the parents as well.
It's great to see the passion these kids have for the sport and the sacrifices the parents make to make their dreams a reality.

This is a great movie for young athletes to see the hard work and dedication necessary to achieve your dreams. My son and his friends watch it constantly as we drive to the rinks for practices and games. For hockey players and parents it will stay in your DVD player. For others, you'll really appreciate the dedication shown by the players and parents. It's tough to play hockey outside of Minnesota and the Northeast when ice rinks are few and far between. The California Wave proved its possible for teams from outside the hockey hotbeds to compete and ultimately claim a national championship. Great job by the producer and director capturing the players and parents and putting it all together into a compelling story. The musical score is outstanding also.

I loved this documentary on youth hockey. They really highlighted the role and support of the family that is needed to play the game. My nephew is in hockey and has been recommending the film to all his friends. We watched it three times in a 48 hour period, just because it was so interesting. My favorite part is the interviews with the NHL players who describe vivid memories of their youth hockey days. It's amazing to hear the impact. I have every film that has anything to do with hockey, but this is the best I have viewed for the real experience.

For hockey playing youth, and people who love hockey, this is a very excellent choice.

This is a great documentary of the hard work of being involved in youth hockey, both from the player's point of view and the family's point of view. We follow a group of kids from California that play in a Club to the National Champions. The hard work that it took to get them there the ups and downs on the path of winning it all. Great to watch once, but not sure if you would be up for watching much more than that.

My son who plays hockey and my daughter, who does not play hockey, both really enjoyed this movie.