Goalie-watching, and training partners

I'm sitting here relaxing with a beer after doing my workout. I have a feeling that's probably counter-productive but... too bad. So, let's see, since I last blogged, did we have a game? Hmm, I think we might have. I have a vague memory of a 12-2 thrashing around midnight at some point this week. The less said about that game is probably better. (Technically the scoreboard read 10-2 but they stopped counting and went to running time after 10. Ouch.) However, I do have one observation to make. Aside from the first goal and the last 5 minutes of the 3rd period, when we all lost our heads due to the opposing team's collective douchebaggery, I felt really great about my game. How can I say that with 12 pucks in my net? I guess I really probably can't. But in terms of mental sharpness, energy, strength in my legs and crispness of movement? I felt awesome. I made some kick-ass saves. I guess I just didn't make enough of them.

From that disaster we move on to something much more fun. A friend from Minnesota is out for a visit this week, and we went to a Ranger game last night. Actually, first we went to the awesome new hockey super-store that just opened in NJ and tried stuff on and drooled. THEN we went to a Ranger game. She was in charge of getting tickets and she completely surprised me with jaw-droppingly awesome seats; section 133. Oh I'm sorry, section 133, Row A. For anyone not familiar with the Garden layout, that's smack behind Lundqvist's net. (Does she love me or what?!) So I was treated to two periods of watching my idol, as close as I will probably ever get, and one period of watching Cam Ward, who is pretty high up there on my list as well. (Interesting observation: Ward does not wear any neck protection. What's up with that, is he a complete idiot?) Both goalies played really well, and Hank made some amazing saves, so not only were we able to cheer for 3 Ranger goals, we got to chant "HEN-RIK!" several times. Unfortunately, with the game tied late in the 3rd, after a series of awesome stops, the puck went into Hank's net. DAMMIT. Soooo frustrating. It was all over his body language too. Poor guy.

Um yeah, so that's my game recap. This is how I watch games- I watch the goalies. I honestly found myself watching them even when play was in the other end and they were literally standing there doing nothing. Just studying them. I'm hopeless.

And a quick report on the goalie training- I was going along great and then I got sick. So, I ended up skipping two days, one of which I just substituted for my "off" day this week, and the other I guess I just get my butt kicked for. But hey, I didn't go to Quarry Cats practice either. No one wants a goalie dripping and spewing snot all over the place. But I got back into action yesterday, and continue to be completely amused by my cats. They just can not leave me alone when I'm stretching or doing anything that involves anything other than my feet being on the floor. While doing a "quadruped superman" (picture yourself kneeling on all fours, and then lift up and extend one arm and one leg), Bulin hopped up onto my back. The program doesn't say anything about doing it with a 13 lb. weight on your back but hey, I guess it can only make me stronger right? I maintained good form throughout. Then today Commie was winding all around me and leaning up against me and trying to get me to pet him while I was stretching out my adductors. Mommy's little workout partners.

One day in

No, I am not going to post daily updates about Ultimate Goalie Training. As corny as it sounds, I'm really excited about this and feel like I'm on a new adventure. (Ok. I just rolled my eyes at myself.) When I had to leave the gym I despaired that I'd ever get a decent workout at home, mostly because there was so much info out there I couldn't sift it all down and figure out what I really should be doing. So to not only have a program geared for goalies, but one that tells you EXACTLY what to do, and when to do it, is perfect. Yeah, I'm the one who gets overwhelmed in the toothpaste aisle looking at all those boxes going "gaahhhh, I just want something to clean my teeth!".

This morning I got myself out of bed nice and early and headed downstairs to start working. I have to say I never thought I'd sweat that much working out at home. Whoa nelly. What I think is really neat about this system is that it's something different all the time. Today was working on footspeed (along with core and flexibility). The next one will be strength, etc, etc. There are so many different things to do that I don't think it'll ever get boring. I'll be sucking wind, and ready to die at times, but it won't be boring. And the cats are just going to have to get used to me jumping around like a nut on my "white trash agility ladder". Yes folks, I marked off an agility ladder on my basement floor using painters' tape. I don't want to spend $50 on a proper one, so this will have to do for now. Besides, it goes really well with our white trash furniture down there: folding lawn chairs. (I shit you not. One of these days we're going to get around to getting an actual couch. Or something.)

So yeah... as you can tell I'm totally gung ho about the training. I'm hoping to be able to keep up with the schedule even days after obnoxiously late games, but we'll see how that goes. I might cheat and flip days around; tomorrow is supposed to be a bit easier of a day than Wedensday, but I'm going to be dead on Wednesday morning, so I might switch them. Shhhh don't tell Maria. She may be small but she could totally kick my butt.

Navel-gazing, and Ultimate Training

You all love me right now. You don't know you do, but you do. You love me for my "NO POSTING FOR 24 HRS AFTER A BAD GAME!!!!" policy. Because that policy saved you from having to read some really whiny, self-doubting, depressing, melodramatic bitching and moaning about how much I suck. See? Aren't you glad I have that policy? Because I almost broke it. I almost came home from a 7-1 Hawks loss (on the heels of a 3-2 Quarry Cats loss that I beat myself up over too) and posted "Ok you know what this is how I really feel..." Cue spewage.

But I've had a day to brood, which has actually been kind of productive because I've managed to do some decent analyzing. I really think I'm starting to hate the number 7, which used to be a favorite, because that seems to be the magic number in terms of goals against. Disgusting, I know. But, I tried to objectively figure out what was going wrong, and what I came up with was this- it seems like a lot of goals are a result of rebounds going back out in front or weird bounces. And when I say weird bounces I mean it goes in off me. I make the save initially but it bounces off me (arm, glove, poorly angled stick) and into the net. So I know what I need to work on, and am getting some help from the good folks over at the boards on GoalieCrease.net.

That lopsided loss somewhat dampened my excitement over Something Really Cool, or I would have been blogging about that a day ago too. Right before we left for the game I discovered I had won a copy of Ultimate Goalie Training.... the training program I've been coveting since I found out it existed. Huge goalie bear-hugs to Maria, who picked me as one of the winners for the Butterfly Widening Challenge. (I gained 5 inches, in case anyone was wondering. Which doesn't seem like much, but as we have been snickering about on the boards, who doesn't want an extra 5 inches?) The prize was none other than UGT, and I was ecstatic. I've downloaded all the videos and printed all the handbooks (thank you, work, for the use of your color copier... shhhh....) and am kind of overwhelmed by how comprehensive it seems. I have a LOT of reading to do before I even get started. Yes, I'm one of those "read the instructions first" types of people. I want to read through everything, watch all the videos to familiarize myself with the exercises, and map out a plan to get started.

I absolutely love that all this can be done at home and does not require a gym membership. I need to pick up a few simple things (dumb-bells, a bungee, and a mirror so I can make sure my form is right), but I think this is going to be really fantastic. I have to be honest, I'm pretty intimidated. But I need to do this. I need to be disciplined and do this. So if any of you want to harass me from time to time and make sure I'm sticking to my schedule, feel free.

Twelve weeks. Twelve weeks to being a better goalie. I do have to be realistic- due to work and game schedules it might take slightly longer than 12 weeks. But I'm going to do it, and try not to let the schedule get screwed up too much. Yikes. Here goes nothing!

Goalie Whore, Jerseys, First Game

Yeah, really, it's not what you think (my obsession with Tuukka Rask aside). This is what my best friend calls me on a regular basis and I'd be hard pressed to deny it. Looks like I'll be whoring myself out lending my services to another team for the next several weeks. A friend's team lost their goalie, so she asked me to fill in. Woo hoo, more ice time, more pucks to stop, yay! When I told my name-calling friend about this she said "you'll tend goal for anyone". (This is not a comment on the team I'll be subbing for. She's not involved in these dopey beer leagues and could care less who I sub for.) My natural reaction was to say "No I wouldn't", but when I thought about it, she's right. I would play for just about anyone. Except for the Drunk Punks. I may be a whore but I do have standards.

So, now that I'm official on the women's team, I need to order some jerseys. I contacted the woman who is placing orders for the entire organization, who happens to also be a goalie (for the C team). I told her I wanted a goalie cut but evidently if you order goalie cut what they really send you is a size 4X. This makes me nuts. I have a hard time finding any goalie cut jersey that actually fits, because I think jersey makers just assume the entire thing needs to be humongous and flap around like an unsecured tent in the breeze. Really, all I need is a little more room in the chest and much wider sleeves. C-goalie offered to hold the order until next week, when I can try her jersey on at practice (she has a 3X). She thinks I can get away with a 2X but I want to be sure. It's kind of dorky but I'm excited to be getting the jerseys. I've been wearing just any old dark or light jersey when I play with them, and I know the goalie can wear whatever the hell she wants, but this will make me feel like more a part of the team.

I'm not too positive about the proposed "3rd jersey" they want to order though. I think my jersey budget is going to be tapped with these two regular ones, so I may not go for it. Thankfully they switched from the insanely obnoxious red-white-black horizontal striped Ottawa 67's jersey to a much more palatable red one with black trim. Unfortunately they're all gung ho on getting nicknames on the back. I gotta say, I don't love this idea. First of all, not everyone has a nickname, and even those who do aren't called by it on a regular basis. And, I just think it's kind of dopey. I guess this is the difference between mens' and womens' hockey...

Jersey issues aside, we have our first game tomorrow night and I am stoked. We've been practicing for almost a month now, really productive practices at that. And because of all the tournaments and summer ice rental, there wasn't much rust to shake off overall, so we pretty much picked up right where we left off. I'm excited about the season, I think we're going to do very well.

So, game on Sunday, game on Monday (for the goalie-less team), Hawks game on Tuesday, practice on Wednesday. If this is being a whore then I embrace it fully.

Sleep deprivation and Twitter induced crankiness ahead

Either it's my crappy computer or Twitter is fubar'd. I've been trying to tweet and it keeps telling me "oops! we did something wrong!" Ok, so fix it. I might have a meltdown if I can't ask the incredibly important question that came to me while watching a Caps game and I didn't have my phone nearby to tweet from.

So in the mean time, I'll blog. There's really not a whole heck of a lot to say but that might be because my brain is completely fried. Our 11:10 pm game ended up being an 11:30 game last night because they cut they ice late (and very slowly- yet somehow there were still deep cuts in it). Another "L" on the board for the Hawks. I'm aggravated because I don't feel I played that great a game. But what else is new. We lost 7-6. I continue to believe a win is just around the corner for us... somewhere.

I'll just blame it on the ref. Before the game started, he came over and checked my net ('cause you know I just might be hiding pucks in there. 'cause goalies love having a puck hanging out in the back of their net for no reason), nodded, looked at me and said "Good luck tonight. Have fun." and clapped me on the shoulder before skating away. My first thought was "Wtf?! Thanks a lot, ass!". Then the normal part of my brain told the goalie part to unbunch her panties, that not everyone who says "good luck" to a goalie really actually means "eff you". I'm still a tad paranoid about it but I'll just pretend he was just being nice.

I'm also less than thrilled to report that after 6 weeks of stretching (almost) every day, I only gained 5.5" in the width of my butterfly flare. (Now there is a sentence that makes NO sense whatsoever to anyone but a goalie. And even then it sounds strangely dirty.) The challenge over at Goalie's Crease ended today and I know for sure that a few folks ended up with more progress than I did. That's ok though, 5.5 more inches is still 5.5 more inches right? (Really, really, really behaving myself here....)

And lastly, the jersey number decision has been made for me. I finally settled on 37, but I am a giant momo, because I completely forgot that number is retired in the entire Quarry Cat organization, in memory of Michelle Polis. In the locker room after practice I asked the captain if I could have 37 and everyone stopped talking and stared at me. Yeah, hi, I'm the idiot in the corner over here. There's only a big 37 in a giant heart behind the net on both rinks. (In my defense.... when am I ever behind the net???) Her jersey is only framed and hanging in a box in the lobby too. And I only just played a tournament in her honor a few months ago. No reason why I should remember 37 is sacred ground at that rink.

Dumbass.

So, 39 it is. It's a good goalie number. It's not over-used, but it's not a number that makes you go "huh???" either.

Yeah I think it's time to take my rambly ass off to bed now. Maybe by now Twitter will let me post my incredibly important burning question.

Feed the beast

The "new" Hawks are now 0-2 on the season and I let in 7 goals last night, but I am actually feeling pretty darn good this morning. I have this feeling that if we keep pushing and keep working it'll come together for us. I felt really strong last night, I know that's odd to say given the goals against, but I did. For the most part, I had a really good game. For the most part. I also had some real head-up-my-ass mistakes that resulted in goals, so I'm really not too thrilled about that. I did learn something from both things though, so I guess that's good at least.

Mistake #1- Somehow the puck came sliding right down the middle and no one was near it. As it came straight towards me I realized that I'd have to play it, but for some reason had absolutely no idea what to do with it. My brain thought all of this in the span of about 2 seconds: "Crap, what do I do with this? Treat it as a shot and make a save? It's going too slow. Cover it? No, there's no one else around. Play it like a pass? Oh shit ... oops." What happened was as I was dithering about what to do with it, I went down in the butterfly, it hit my stick and took a weird bounce up to my mask, and I turned my head, giving it a perfect line right to the corner of the net. UGH. Note to self: NO THINKING. Second note to self: Know what you're going to do with the puck before it gets to you.

Mistake #2- Puck comes down into my zone but there's an opponent approaching (alone) so I don't go out to play it. He gets it just below the goal line and comes even with the side of the net. I'm on the post waiting for the shot. I probably could have poked it but it was on my glove side and I didn't trust that reaching out and around to poke it wouldn't pull me off the post. Yeah, except I wasn't really on the post. Plink- right past my foot. DAMMIT. Hold the post, dumbass.

Of course I'm not saying I only make 2 mistakes in the whole game- I'm just saying those were the real dumbass embarassing ones. I did manage to make several really good saves, and I guess that maybe sort of kind of makes up for them. One was pretty awesome, gave me that "FUCK YEAH!" feeling. They got a breakaway and the guy was coming down the left side. I stuck with him, moved across with him, and when he shot it hit my pad and went back out in front of me a little. I didn't realize he had a trailer coming in and that guy went for it but as the momentum of my save had me still sliding to the right, I reached out and smothered it with my glove and took it with me. Ha. There's probably a few things I did wrong there too, but it worked out in my favor. And felt damn good, even though by then we were already down 7-3.

Our next game is next Sunday and that's just too far away. My blood is pumping and I want to get right back out there and feel some more pucks. I have a good feeling about this team.