The 2012-13 USA Bandy season is underway, and once again it's the annual North American Cup of outdoor Bandy that kicks off the year at the John Rose Oval in Roseville, Minnesota. It would be the Duluth Dynamo versus the Minnesota Blades in the Championship game of the tournament, and in a grueling battle, it was the Blades taking down Dynamo in overtime, 2-1, with the league's 2011-12 Most Valuable Player Mike Hosfield getting the game winner for the Blades.

Both teams came into the game licking their wounds, and trying to muster the energy to compete after playing as many as seven games in the first eight days of the season. But for the first ten minutes of the contest, there was no sign of fatigue as the game ran with a high tempo as the adrenaline ran it's course through the players veins. But once that initial surge had worn off, players felt exhaustion start to creep in. In addition to struggling to maintain a high energy level, Duluth would be without the services of one of it's better players up the middle in Eric Dahlberg. On top of that, their defensive anchor and team captain Rick Haney would also be slowed by a near career ending knee injury sustained this summer during the indoor Bandy season. Despite being battered and bruised, Duluth was able to take an early 1-0 lead on a goal by Pat Green on a nice passing play from Dave Plaunt and Brent Palmer.

Both teams came out playing a conservative, ball control style, but the real reason for the low scoring affair, were the goalies. In net was Derek Melander for Duluth, and Eric Kraska for the Blades. Said Kraska's teammate Mike Hosfield "Both goalies played really well, including some key saves on corners and free strokes".

After going into the halftime break down a goal, the Blades would rally to tie it up at one on a goal from Halfback Pat Fronek. On the play, the Blades pushed the ball up the left side, but had a hard time controlling a bouncing ball. Hosfield was able to corral the ball inside the penalty area, and passed it back to Pat Fronek at the top of the penalty circle. Fronek took the one timer and let a low shot go into the left corner of the net. The game would remain tied at one apiece, and the two teams would go into an overtime period to settle it. "Both teams were exhausted, so you wouldn't expect anything else" said a smiling Brendan "BJ" Bayers of the Blades, regarding the overtime.

But the Minnesota Blades would not waste much time, as early in the overtime period, Mike Hosfield once again pressed up the left side and intercepted a would be pass out of the air, drove toward the net, and wound up from just outside the penalty circle. His shot hit the twine high in the upper corner, just past an outstretched Derek Melander for the overtime winner. Hosfield was immediately swarmed by his teammates as Duluth looked on.

"The Blades just had a little more in the tank and were able to capitalize on a costly turnover deep in our zone during extra time" said Dynamo Fullback Dave Plaunt. Teammate Evan Richardson agreed, adding "We were pretty worn out. We played quite a few games in the last week, including a very physical game against Canada two days ago. We were happy to be in final, but disappointed in the outcome. This is a great tournament, and we played well, but hat's off to the Blades".

The USA Bandy league's regular season is under way, with the USA Bandy League Championship series ending March 2nd.