Hockey is Better Than Zombies

Since I just scared the ever-loving wits out of myself watching the second episode of "Walking Dead", I'll just come bask in here in the nice safe world of hockey and try to de-freak myself. There is a reason I don't watch horror movies. I'm ridiculously easily freaked out (big tough hockey player here!). But the first episode was really not that scary, had more of a "The Stand" feel to it than anything else. But yeah. I went from window to window watching my husband as he took the recycling out, just to make sure the zombies didn't get him. I also briefly entertained the notion of barring up our windows so we'd be safe in here during a zombie attack.

So! How about that cleansing of the palate? Well let's see... last night's Ranger game was EPIC on the excitement-level scale. I wish they could all be like that! Sunday's game... well I'm probably better off not voicing my opinion on that one, because it's probably an unpopular one. To sum it up in a nutshell? Avery was a class A douchebag for sucker-punching Smid, but you know what? Smid didn't have to challenge him on a clean hit either. And Pekham didn't have to try to follow him down the tunnel. OF COURSE Boyle is going to grab him. That's what you do, you protect your team-mates. And once Boyle grabs Pekham, naturally everyone else is going to square off. And Dubinsky getting fined for defending himself when someone grabbed him is just complete and utter bullshit. I fail to see how the Rangers are the bad guys in all this (other than Avery). But hey, I know everyone loves to hate the Rangers, so have at it. It'll make the rest of the season that much more exciting I guess.

Crap, I said I wasn't going to go there didn't I. Ah well. That's a hell of a lot more interesting for you to read about than how the light bulb went on and I figured out how to solve my "ARRRGHHH I can't keep up with this workout schedule while working full time with a sucky commute and playing hockey at the wee hours of the morning!" problem. Actually, GoalieHusband solved it. We were talking it over one night (things are INSANELY exciting in this house, let me tell you!) and he said why don't you just do the workouts when you can and not worry about getting them done in a week? Well DUHHHH. 'Cause, um, that would like, make sense. So, I'm almost finished with "Week 3" but in reality it'll be more like 10 days. I would have knocked off that last day this morning but the stabbing sharp pains I was getting in my knee all day yesterday made me decide to give it a rest. Not sure what that was all about- it's completely gone today, thankfully.

Tomorrow is double-header night. I can't wait. Practice and then a game. I am completely nuts for being this excited about that. Yay hockey! (See? I told you it was better than zombies).

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.

Thieves and liars

Ok "thieves" is probably pushing it. But someone stole my hockey from me, dammit, and this is the Ministry song I used to listen to when I got really mad. (Now that I'm older I listen to something a little calmer when angry.... something like Disturbed).

After last being on the ice on Monday, I was very much looking forward to some playing time tonight, even though it was an open hockey session that is usually not that well attended. (Normally I play on Friday nights but free Ranger pre-season tickets coaxed me away rather easily). Because nothing showed on the rink's schedule for this Saturday, I called to confirm on Thursday and was told that yes, there was adult open hockey scheduled. Fantastic!

Unfortunately, when we got there, the guy at the desk recognized us and shook his head and said "no open hockey tonight". Excuse me?!? I told him I'd called, and had emailed my friends saying the rink said it was on. I can't be mad at him, because he did offer us the ice for an hour or so after the public skating session was over. But since it was only my husband and I, I didn't feel right about just the two of us using the ice and making the zamboni guy wait for us.

And we got home and found out the Rangers lost 5-0. What a crappy Saturday night.