Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend. 90 degrees. Anyone who's smart would be in a nice, cool rink with a gorgeous sheet of ice, right? Right??? I guess me and the 4 other people who showed are the only nuts who think that way. And one of them was another goalie. At first I thought, oh great 3 skaters and another goalie, this is going to suck. But it actually turned out to be quite the workout, because we set the nets up across the boards and the 3 shooters circled around and took shots on both of us and defended against each other. I honestly couldn't figure out exactly what they were doing but hey I just have to pay attention to the rubber flying at me.
And fly it did. One kid was pretty young, just graduated college. He had a wicked shot and burned me glove side more times than I want to attempt to count. But he was cool, not a jerk at all. He liked to flop down and lay on the ice during our breaks and I told him there's no napping in hockey. Haha. But the big success story (other than working harder than I would have in an actual game) was my mask. It doesn't fit as perfectly as it should but it's as close as I'm going to get without paying for a custom mask. And it's damn good. It doesn't rattle around on my face like my old one did, and I can actually feel it against my cheeks! I took a few shots to it too, and it even felt different. I guess the old one would kind of slam against my face when I took a puck to it, but this one is already on my face so I don't get that effect. (And yes, I know that's like, super dangerous. Which is why I have been hot to get a new one.) So, new mask is a win. New pants on the other hand.... not so much. But I'll bitch about that some other time.
And... brought to you by late night drinking... what's scarier than a bunch of goalies together? A bunch of goalies on a pilgrimage. That's right. Sign up here for your Goalie Road Trip. First stop: Finland. So far it's me, @TheGoalieGuild, @msconduct10, @abnmoose2, and GoalieHusband (he's an honorary goalie. he thinks like one, and would have been one if I hadn't enforced the One Goalie Per Household rule.) I'm thinking we could get into an awful lot of trouble together. Set aside the bail money now. Hey, it's a lot safer than Goalie Ghost Hunting.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Eat your heart out, Tuukka
I'm a little giddy because I'm at the beginning of FOUR WHOLE DAYS OFF and since I decided to forgo the Shark Tank this morning and relax instead, I decided to take Moosey up on his suggestion of taking a picture of the new mask - in full Eyeliner Effect. Now, I think Tuukka Rask has the most badass goalie-stare going (and I'll refrain from making innuendos about his stick in that picture), but I think maybe I might give him just a little competition here. Unfortunately, this is not what any shooter will ever see, as I have to play with glasses, but they totally ruined the effect, so I left them off. (Oh yeah that and if I ever actually got this dolled up for a game I'd never hear the end of it from my teammates).
So here's me having fun with taking a picture of a rather boring mask and sprucing it up a bit. This is what happens when your goalie used to be somewhat "goth" and wear makeup like this every day. Liquid eyeliner is like riding a bike- you never really forget how to do it. ;)
(And PS that's my beloved Ak Bars Kazan jersey. Figured I might as well feature that while I'm taking a picture. Two KHL championships in a row, bitches. ;) )
So here's me having fun with taking a picture of a rather boring mask and sprucing it up a bit. This is what happens when your goalie used to be somewhat "goth" and wear makeup like this every day. Liquid eyeliner is like riding a bike- you never really forget how to do it. ;)
(And PS that's my beloved Ak Bars Kazan jersey. Figured I might as well feature that while I'm taking a picture. Two KHL championships in a row, bitches. ;) )
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Finally, a "W".... and Mr. Inappropriate
I didn't write about Sunday night's game because, in a nutshell, it sucked. Everyone I talked to was pissed off/frustrated the next day. We lost 4-1.... in the first period we literally had only 3 minutes of even strength time. Lots of distractions about the refs and the other team's players. Whatever, it's over and it's in the books.
We played the same team last night and I think everyone was determined to kick some ass. And kick some ass we did. We played like an actual team, and everyone gave it their all. On a team level, it was a great win. On a personal level, I'm a little less excited. We were ahead the whole time, jumping out to a 6-2 lead early in the 3rd. That score stood for most of the period, until the end when we took a penalty. And then another. I'm not sure if the first goal came on the 5 on 4 or the 5 on 3, but it was a complete miscommunication and my D put it in my feet and an opponent tapped it into the net. Then there was another goal which I don't remember too clearly but I laid back thinking I was laying on it, but it was in the net. So, final score 6-4. Awesome to get the win, awesome game all around, but I'm mad about the last 2 goals. (The first 2 I was completely screened on.)
There was one kid who ran me twice in the first period, and whacked me in the face with his stick (hard) in the second. He was falling as he did it, so it could have been a mistake, but I screamed "FUCK YOU" at him as he skated away nonetheless. And then one of my D plastered him against the boards. Unfortunately he took a boarding call for that but it must have gotten the message across because the dickbag didn't do it again. In fact, after the handshake line he sought me out and told me that he realized he'd run into me a few times and didn't mean it and was sorry. I just said "ok".... I wasn't sure at the time whether to believe him, but thinking about it now, why would he go out of his way to find me and say that if he didn't mean it? This team is one of the teams we like playing, because the douchebag factor is pretty low. So I guess I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.
So.... yeah remember that new guy at work who was a goalie? Well he hasn't been there very long and has already made a few Inappropriate Comments. Both were directed towards me so whatever, I don't care. Today though, he said something Totally Uncool to someone else. One of our assistants is a young, vibrant, bubbly and friendly African American girl. she's a real sweetheart. She's also the only "minority" in our lilly-white office. She and I had had a conversation earlier in the morning about my allergies (she'd observed my pink nose and thought I had a cold; I explained that it was just a bad week for allergies). Well Mr. Inappropriate walks by at the same time she does, and stops in my doorway and says "So, are you depressed?" (As a fellow Ranger fan, he's referring to the Flyers' moving on to the finals.) She's walking away and says to him "oh don't bother her, she's got allergies". He turns to her and says, as he's shooing her away with his hand.... ready for this....?!
"Hey, this is a hockey question. African Americans don't talk about hockey. Well.... unless they're talking about that one goalie."
O
M
G
Me: What is wrong with you?!?! You can't say that!
Him: Ahh, she's fine, she's a fun gal, she doesn't care.
Um. Um... WTF DUDE?! Wow. I'm the least PC person on the planet but WOW. I mentioned the conversation to my boss, who had the same reaction I did.... but you know what, nothing will come of it. Because of the nature of our business and the way things work in our office, he'll keep getting away with crap like that. I did talk to her about it later and she said it was no big deal, she's heard worse. But umm.... that's like really not the point. What is wrong with people?
We played the same team last night and I think everyone was determined to kick some ass. And kick some ass we did. We played like an actual team, and everyone gave it their all. On a team level, it was a great win. On a personal level, I'm a little less excited. We were ahead the whole time, jumping out to a 6-2 lead early in the 3rd. That score stood for most of the period, until the end when we took a penalty. And then another. I'm not sure if the first goal came on the 5 on 4 or the 5 on 3, but it was a complete miscommunication and my D put it in my feet and an opponent tapped it into the net. Then there was another goal which I don't remember too clearly but I laid back thinking I was laying on it, but it was in the net. So, final score 6-4. Awesome to get the win, awesome game all around, but I'm mad about the last 2 goals. (The first 2 I was completely screened on.)
There was one kid who ran me twice in the first period, and whacked me in the face with his stick (hard) in the second. He was falling as he did it, so it could have been a mistake, but I screamed "FUCK YOU" at him as he skated away nonetheless. And then one of my D plastered him against the boards. Unfortunately he took a boarding call for that but it must have gotten the message across because the dickbag didn't do it again. In fact, after the handshake line he sought me out and told me that he realized he'd run into me a few times and didn't mean it and was sorry. I just said "ok".... I wasn't sure at the time whether to believe him, but thinking about it now, why would he go out of his way to find me and say that if he didn't mean it? This team is one of the teams we like playing, because the douchebag factor is pretty low. So I guess I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.
So.... yeah remember that new guy at work who was a goalie? Well he hasn't been there very long and has already made a few Inappropriate Comments. Both were directed towards me so whatever, I don't care. Today though, he said something Totally Uncool to someone else. One of our assistants is a young, vibrant, bubbly and friendly African American girl. she's a real sweetheart. She's also the only "minority" in our lilly-white office. She and I had had a conversation earlier in the morning about my allergies (she'd observed my pink nose and thought I had a cold; I explained that it was just a bad week for allergies). Well Mr. Inappropriate walks by at the same time she does, and stops in my doorway and says "So, are you depressed?" (As a fellow Ranger fan, he's referring to the Flyers' moving on to the finals.) She's walking away and says to him "oh don't bother her, she's got allergies". He turns to her and says, as he's shooing her away with his hand.... ready for this....?!
"Hey, this is a hockey question. African Americans don't talk about hockey. Well.... unless they're talking about that one goalie."
O
M
G
Me: What is wrong with you?!?! You can't say that!
Him: Ahh, she's fine, she's a fun gal, she doesn't care.
Um. Um... WTF DUDE?! Wow. I'm the least PC person on the planet but WOW. I mentioned the conversation to my boss, who had the same reaction I did.... but you know what, nothing will come of it. Because of the nature of our business and the way things work in our office, he'll keep getting away with crap like that. I did talk to her about it later and she said it was no big deal, she's heard worse. But umm.... that's like really not the point. What is wrong with people?
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Splurging
Since buying the house, things have been pretty tight for us financially. It's been a huge cause of stress for me but I hear it starts to get better after a year. So it is with much guilt that I spent some of a very unexpected and generous bonus on hockey equipment. How awful is that. Shouldn't I have put it right to some of the debt we're trying to pay down? Or bought a couch for the ManCave? But I didn't spend it all (less than half!), and what I did spend it on was important.
My mask is in bad shape. It's about 3 years old, which wouldn't matter if it was of better quality, but the foam is pretty hardened, the cage is completely rusted on the inside, and it's way too big for me and always has been (which is actually pretty dangerous). I originally bought a junior mask and played with that for a while but that was too small. So I went to a senior and fiddled with the straps to make it fit... sort of. But it's the shell itself that's too big and you can't adjust that. I didn't realize at the time that the higher quality masks come in different sizes. (And then there's custom masks but uhhh hello bonus or no bonus I'm not spending that much money) I worked a little with a guy at a hockey shop and discovered that really there isn't a mask out there that will fit me, other than a custom made one. However I did find one that comes pretty close, and I'm thinking some of those gel inserts from Maltese Hockey might make up the difference (it's the cheek area- my face is apparently REALLY narrow). So, I ordered the Bauer NME 7 in a "fit 1". Much higher quality materials, there really is no comparison between that one and my old one. I'm also going to get a chamois cloth to wipe the cage down after every session. Yes you can order replacement cages but a chamois is cheaper. So as I sit here feeling guilty I just remind myself: lesson learned from GoalieHusband? Protect your noggin. You only have one of those. New mask is more important than couch for ManCave. (Right?)
Second purchase on the list was a pair of pants. I've been using mine since I started playing 4 years ago; I think I got my cheap $60 worth out of them by now. They're falling apart, are too big (notice a theme?) and don't have the greatest protection. Hey what do you want for $60 right? So I upgraded there as well. Of all the cool "features" these new pants have, from anti-microbial fabric on the inside, special stretchy mesh in places that need to stretch, etc, the one that made me go "oooo!" was the mp3 player pocket. Sweet! Now I can listen to my ipod much easier while getting geared up!
I have one more thing on the list of Stuff To Purchase Now That I Can Afford It: a gel clavicle protector. I absolutely adore the gel collar I got from Maltese Hockey, but have discovered the hard way that my collarbone is exposed to pucks flying at high speeds. Given some of the dudes I'm playing against lately in open hockey, I think it's smart to cover up that area. I'm waiting on ordering that though because I'll order the gel inserts for the mask at the same time, and I want to have the mask first. Fortunately 2 day shipping was FREE! and I'll have it on Wednesday!!!
And after all this stuff, there's still money left over that I'm going to throw into the savings account, so I don't feel TOO guilty. But really, it's not like I'm frivolously going hog wild on stuff I don't need. All of these things are smart purchases and the mask especially is long overdue. So my guilty conscience can go away now. (Ya hear that, Guilty Conscience? Shoo!)
And now off to yoga... fortunately it's a different teacher and she never kicks our ass as hard as Shannon does.
My mask is in bad shape. It's about 3 years old, which wouldn't matter if it was of better quality, but the foam is pretty hardened, the cage is completely rusted on the inside, and it's way too big for me and always has been (which is actually pretty dangerous). I originally bought a junior mask and played with that for a while but that was too small. So I went to a senior and fiddled with the straps to make it fit... sort of. But it's the shell itself that's too big and you can't adjust that. I didn't realize at the time that the higher quality masks come in different sizes. (And then there's custom masks but uhhh hello bonus or no bonus I'm not spending that much money) I worked a little with a guy at a hockey shop and discovered that really there isn't a mask out there that will fit me, other than a custom made one. However I did find one that comes pretty close, and I'm thinking some of those gel inserts from Maltese Hockey might make up the difference (it's the cheek area- my face is apparently REALLY narrow). So, I ordered the Bauer NME 7 in a "fit 1". Much higher quality materials, there really is no comparison between that one and my old one. I'm also going to get a chamois cloth to wipe the cage down after every session. Yes you can order replacement cages but a chamois is cheaper. So as I sit here feeling guilty I just remind myself: lesson learned from GoalieHusband? Protect your noggin. You only have one of those. New mask is more important than couch for ManCave. (Right?)
Second purchase on the list was a pair of pants. I've been using mine since I started playing 4 years ago; I think I got my cheap $60 worth out of them by now. They're falling apart, are too big (notice a theme?) and don't have the greatest protection. Hey what do you want for $60 right? So I upgraded there as well. Of all the cool "features" these new pants have, from anti-microbial fabric on the inside, special stretchy mesh in places that need to stretch, etc, the one that made me go "oooo!" was the mp3 player pocket. Sweet! Now I can listen to my ipod much easier while getting geared up!
I have one more thing on the list of Stuff To Purchase Now That I Can Afford It: a gel clavicle protector. I absolutely adore the gel collar I got from Maltese Hockey, but have discovered the hard way that my collarbone is exposed to pucks flying at high speeds. Given some of the dudes I'm playing against lately in open hockey, I think it's smart to cover up that area. I'm waiting on ordering that though because I'll order the gel inserts for the mask at the same time, and I want to have the mask first. Fortunately 2 day shipping was FREE! and I'll have it on Wednesday!!!
And after all this stuff, there's still money left over that I'm going to throw into the savings account, so I don't feel TOO guilty. But really, it's not like I'm frivolously going hog wild on stuff I don't need. All of these things are smart purchases and the mask especially is long overdue. So my guilty conscience can go away now. (Ya hear that, Guilty Conscience? Shoo!)
And now off to yoga... fortunately it's a different teacher and she never kicks our ass as hard as Shannon does.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Shark food
Open hockey's been pretty brutal lately on Friday mornings. All the college kids are home and it's so far above my level I can't keep up. I love skating with a higher skilled group because it challenges me and that's how I learn. But there's challenging yourself, and there's throwing yourself into the shark tank. And that's what it feels like I've been doing lately. There were a handful of "regulars" (maybe 4 of us) but other than that it was all 20 yr olds. Oh, and a guy who was probably only slightly older than them, who was clearly dumbing it down but even then was schooling them. And man did he own me. I was his bitch. At least he wasn't an asshole about it. That's all I can ask for. And I did stop him two or three times.
Since it was clear from the get-go that I was going to get my ass handed to me, I was actually ok with the whole thing mentally. I just kept reminding myself to do the best I could do, and concentrate on doing stuff right, and acknowledging that I could only do so much. What was frustrating was realizing that I was just flat out too slow most of the time. I knew what I was doing was right, but I was just moving in molasses compared to them. (And then there were the times when I knew I was doing something wrong and my brain was yelling "what the fuck was THAT?")
Thankfully, it was a 4-goalie morning. I don't think I could have withstood that onslaught for two straight hours, not after the beating my hips and butt took in yoga last night. I was in pain before I even hit the ice. Now? Well I haven't gotten out of my chair in a while so I'm going to just stay put for a bit longer. Two of the other goalies were guys I haven't seen in a while, one of whom I really enjoy playing with. He's super friendly (no, he's not hitting on me, he's friendly to everyone. really. he doesn't shut up. even in the net.) and just insanely good. I love watching this guy play. I think I learn something every time I watch him. Also, he and his buddy have quite the banter going, which makes it interesting. He's a Ranger fan. His buddy's a Devils fan. When they were out there, his buddy let the first goal in, and you heard from the other end of the ice: "MAAAAARRR-TYYYY!"
Not to be outdone, when AwesomeGoalie let in a goal, his buddy tried to answer back with "HENNNNN-RIIIIK"... but it's just not the same. Muahaha. And once on the bench when it was time to change, AwesomeGoalie said to me "go take Marty out, he's fat and tired". Haha. Gotta love a good Marty joke.
League game on Sunday night. Thankfully it's at a decent hour. They saved the 11pm game for Tuesday. *groan* The late nights have most of the team pretty disgruntled, to the point of one player "protesting" by not coming out for the last game. I'm not sure who he thought he was sticking it to, other than his teammates, because we were short that night to begin with. But whatever. I want to play. I'll show up at 11 if I have to, I just want to be out there.
Since it was clear from the get-go that I was going to get my ass handed to me, I was actually ok with the whole thing mentally. I just kept reminding myself to do the best I could do, and concentrate on doing stuff right, and acknowledging that I could only do so much. What was frustrating was realizing that I was just flat out too slow most of the time. I knew what I was doing was right, but I was just moving in molasses compared to them. (And then there were the times when I knew I was doing something wrong and my brain was yelling "what the fuck was THAT?")
Thankfully, it was a 4-goalie morning. I don't think I could have withstood that onslaught for two straight hours, not after the beating my hips and butt took in yoga last night. I was in pain before I even hit the ice. Now? Well I haven't gotten out of my chair in a while so I'm going to just stay put for a bit longer. Two of the other goalies were guys I haven't seen in a while, one of whom I really enjoy playing with. He's super friendly (no, he's not hitting on me, he's friendly to everyone. really. he doesn't shut up. even in the net.) and just insanely good. I love watching this guy play. I think I learn something every time I watch him. Also, he and his buddy have quite the banter going, which makes it interesting. He's a Ranger fan. His buddy's a Devils fan. When they were out there, his buddy let the first goal in, and you heard from the other end of the ice: "MAAAAARRR-TYYYY!"
Not to be outdone, when AwesomeGoalie let in a goal, his buddy tried to answer back with "HENNNNN-RIIIIK"... but it's just not the same. Muahaha. And once on the bench when it was time to change, AwesomeGoalie said to me "go take Marty out, he's fat and tired". Haha. Gotta love a good Marty joke.
League game on Sunday night. Thankfully it's at a decent hour. They saved the 11pm game for Tuesday. *groan* The late nights have most of the team pretty disgruntled, to the point of one player "protesting" by not coming out for the last game. I'm not sure who he thought he was sticking it to, other than his teammates, because we were short that night to begin with. But whatever. I want to play. I'll show up at 11 if I have to, I just want to be out there.
Monday, May 17, 2010
The blame game
After playing in the tournament, I drove back yesterday afternoon and had a good long nap and several hours before playing again at 11 with the Hawks. I wasn't going to come here and write about that game, because it sucked donkey balls so hard, but I think it's the only way to purge it from the goaliebrain.
We lost 9-3. I'll jump right in and start off with my biggest fear: that everyone on that bench was shaking their head and muttering that I shouldn't have gone to that tournament and it was affecting my play. Now I'll be logical: with a score like that it can't possibly be all on me. (Can it?) Unfortunately the logical side isn't winning in this bout of the blame game.
Fact: we were missing 4 forwards. That can't have helped matters at all.
Fact: we were actually completely off the board until midway through the 2nd period. That goal came on a 5 on 3.
Fact: this was my 5th game in 3 days. I'd be a moron to think that had no effect at all on my performance but I honestly didn't feel tired. Maybe I was mentally tired. I know for sure that a lot of those goals were complete garbage that I'd like to flog myself over for a while, but I have to get out of my head. I don't want to send myself into another tailspin.
Rehashing every goal in my head is not going to make anything any better so I have to activate goalie goldfish-brain and just forget about all of them and move on. Somehow no matter how many times I say that though, I'm still sitting here brooding. My biggest fear, as always, isn't playing poorly, it's playing poorly and having my team disappointed/disgusted with me for it.
We lost 9-3. I'll jump right in and start off with my biggest fear: that everyone on that bench was shaking their head and muttering that I shouldn't have gone to that tournament and it was affecting my play. Now I'll be logical: with a score like that it can't possibly be all on me. (Can it?) Unfortunately the logical side isn't winning in this bout of the blame game.
Fact: we were missing 4 forwards. That can't have helped matters at all.
Fact: we were actually completely off the board until midway through the 2nd period. That goal came on a 5 on 3.
Fact: this was my 5th game in 3 days. I'd be a moron to think that had no effect at all on my performance but I honestly didn't feel tired. Maybe I was mentally tired. I know for sure that a lot of those goals were complete garbage that I'd like to flog myself over for a while, but I have to get out of my head. I don't want to send myself into another tailspin.
Rehashing every goal in my head is not going to make anything any better so I have to activate goalie goldfish-brain and just forget about all of them and move on. Somehow no matter how many times I say that though, I'm still sitting here brooding. My biggest fear, as always, isn't playing poorly, it's playing poorly and having my team disappointed/disgusted with me for it.
Tourney Time
I'm not a very social creature, so the thought of going off to a strange place 4 hours away for 3 days with a bunch of people I don't know very well (but am getting to know better and better) was pretty intimidating. However I forced myself out of my box, knowing that it would be a lot of fun, and it would be good for me, and I was right on both counts. This is really a great bunch of women I've become a part of. And they seem to really like me a lot too, so that feels nice and warm and fuzzy.
But let's get to the hockey. First game was Friday night, and after a long hot ride (my air conditioning gave out after about 40 minutes) some time chillin' in the hotel room was perfect for pre-game prep. We had a short bench; only 8 skaters. We gained 2 more the next day but not everyone could make it for the Friday night game. We also had no coach. But we've played without a coach before, so we made our own lines and dug down and gritted out a 2-0 win. Yes, we shut them out with only 8 skaters, and not only that but it was a (bullshit) penalty parade, including 2 separate 5 on 3's. Our PK rocked. It felt really great to come right out of the gate with a win like that.
Somehow, Little Miss Not-Social's room became the hub of the off-ice revelries. There were 3 of us sharing the room, and as soon as we got back from the game people showed up in our room with beer and snacks, and we sat around chatting and ordering wings and drinking beer. It was great. I think I might have drunk tweeted a few times too. Ooops. I was also deemed Deputy Mayor of Belchertown. Good times.
Saturday morning's game was a little less inspiring. We gained 2 more players and our coach, but we played the Ringer Team. This team wiped up all the other teams with scores like 4-0, 6-0, etc. You tell me they belonged in our division. I think not. Anyway... we didn't play that great against them, and they were a better team, and we lost 4-0. Some of their players were pretty dirty, including one #27 who boarded one of our girls pretty hard (no call, of course), which resulted in her being hurt and leaving the game. Funny. I thought the USA Hockey rule was that if a player was injured the offending party got a game misconduct? Oh wait... I guess that only applies if the player who was "hurt" is a whiny drama queen. I guess if you suck it up and just leave the ice and sit on the bench with an ice pack you don't get the call. After that I decided to let the mean out a little bit, and started hacking at some ankles.
I was completely dead after that game, and tired, hungry and cranky, so I headed back to the hotel on my own for a shower and a nap. By then I really needed some alone time. Thankfully no one questions it if the goalie goes off by herself for a while. (They do not, however, give a Goalie Exemption for sleeping with a stuffed animal. Yes, I sleep with one. Yes, I brought it with me. The first night, as we were turning in and I pulled it out of my suitcase, I self-consciously said "Ok don't make fun of me but I sleep with a stuffed animal." One roommate laughed and said "We won't make fun of you. But we will take pictures." The other said "Maalivahti! You are a grown woman!" What can I say. Goalies are weird. Deal.)
After the nap I dragged myself back to the rink for the 2nd game of the day. That was the hardest one to play, physically. Also, we knew if we didn't win that game, we wouldn't go on to the championship game on Sunday morning. I'm really proud of how we played. We played GREAT, we played like a team, and we won 2-1. In the locker room afterwards the coach told us not to have any margaritas, and to be in bed by 10pm. The two 19-yr olds who were with us as guests giggled and said they were going to come around and tape our doors at "lights out" to make sure we went to bed.
To that, all I have to say is: Yeah Right. Where'd we all end up again? My room. There was talk of a side excursion to the sex store around the corner but we were all starving and tired and room service shut down at 10. It was only 9pm, but as I learned this weekend, it takes 10 women roughly 45 minutes to make a decision about ANYTHING (and then another 20 minutes to actually execute said plan), so we didn't have much time. Food and beer were consumed, though there was no overkill on the imbibing, since we all wanted to kick some serious biotch ass the next morning. (The team was called the B's. We decided that stood for BI-OTCH). After some very bizarre turns of conversation that will not be shared here, we turned in around midnight like good little hockey players.
We were all pumped for the championship game the next day, and despite it being against the Ringer Team, I thought we might actually have a chance. And we did play a lot better. Fortunately, the injured girl was able to play. Also fortunately, I exacted my own little bit of revenge on #27. I got her with the most blatant trip a goalie ever threw. She went flying on her belly and turned around to glare at me. To which all I have to say is: That's what you get for skating through the paint, sweetheart. (And yes, MsConduct10, I think that would be a fantastic thing to have on my tombstone!)
Personal revenge aside, we lost the game 5-0 (one was an empty netter) despite playing MUCH better than last time. This team was simply a level higher and no one can say they didn't leave it all on the ice. We got a silver, and we worked damn hard for it. Pictures were taken so hopefully soon I will have one to share. The ride home was bliss, too. I've done a lot of road trips, but all have been with someone else. This was the first time I've driven any decent distance by myself (4 hours). I have to say I loved it. Windows open, tunes cranked, coffee in hand. It was awesome. Well, I had to have the windows open. My gear was all spread out in the back seat, where it had been stored all weekend. (Hey we were not about to bring 3 stinky hockey bags into the hotel room). I'm wondering if it will ever dry out. And if my hip and knee will ever stop aching. But holy crap it was worth it. Next tourney is in August. I'm ready.
But let's get to the hockey. First game was Friday night, and after a long hot ride (my air conditioning gave out after about 40 minutes) some time chillin' in the hotel room was perfect for pre-game prep. We had a short bench; only 8 skaters. We gained 2 more the next day but not everyone could make it for the Friday night game. We also had no coach. But we've played without a coach before, so we made our own lines and dug down and gritted out a 2-0 win. Yes, we shut them out with only 8 skaters, and not only that but it was a (bullshit) penalty parade, including 2 separate 5 on 3's. Our PK rocked. It felt really great to come right out of the gate with a win like that.
Somehow, Little Miss Not-Social's room became the hub of the off-ice revelries. There were 3 of us sharing the room, and as soon as we got back from the game people showed up in our room with beer and snacks, and we sat around chatting and ordering wings and drinking beer. It was great. I think I might have drunk tweeted a few times too. Ooops. I was also deemed Deputy Mayor of Belchertown. Good times.
Saturday morning's game was a little less inspiring. We gained 2 more players and our coach, but we played the Ringer Team. This team wiped up all the other teams with scores like 4-0, 6-0, etc. You tell me they belonged in our division. I think not. Anyway... we didn't play that great against them, and they were a better team, and we lost 4-0. Some of their players were pretty dirty, including one #27 who boarded one of our girls pretty hard (no call, of course), which resulted in her being hurt and leaving the game. Funny. I thought the USA Hockey rule was that if a player was injured the offending party got a game misconduct? Oh wait... I guess that only applies if the player who was "hurt" is a whiny drama queen. I guess if you suck it up and just leave the ice and sit on the bench with an ice pack you don't get the call. After that I decided to let the mean out a little bit, and started hacking at some ankles.
I was completely dead after that game, and tired, hungry and cranky, so I headed back to the hotel on my own for a shower and a nap. By then I really needed some alone time. Thankfully no one questions it if the goalie goes off by herself for a while. (They do not, however, give a Goalie Exemption for sleeping with a stuffed animal. Yes, I sleep with one. Yes, I brought it with me. The first night, as we were turning in and I pulled it out of my suitcase, I self-consciously said "Ok don't make fun of me but I sleep with a stuffed animal." One roommate laughed and said "We won't make fun of you. But we will take pictures." The other said "Maalivahti! You are a grown woman!" What can I say. Goalies are weird. Deal.)
After the nap I dragged myself back to the rink for the 2nd game of the day. That was the hardest one to play, physically. Also, we knew if we didn't win that game, we wouldn't go on to the championship game on Sunday morning. I'm really proud of how we played. We played GREAT, we played like a team, and we won 2-1. In the locker room afterwards the coach told us not to have any margaritas, and to be in bed by 10pm. The two 19-yr olds who were with us as guests giggled and said they were going to come around and tape our doors at "lights out" to make sure we went to bed.
To that, all I have to say is: Yeah Right. Where'd we all end up again? My room. There was talk of a side excursion to the sex store around the corner but we were all starving and tired and room service shut down at 10. It was only 9pm, but as I learned this weekend, it takes 10 women roughly 45 minutes to make a decision about ANYTHING (and then another 20 minutes to actually execute said plan), so we didn't have much time. Food and beer were consumed, though there was no overkill on the imbibing, since we all wanted to kick some serious biotch ass the next morning. (The team was called the B's. We decided that stood for BI-OTCH). After some very bizarre turns of conversation that will not be shared here, we turned in around midnight like good little hockey players.
We were all pumped for the championship game the next day, and despite it being against the Ringer Team, I thought we might actually have a chance. And we did play a lot better. Fortunately, the injured girl was able to play. Also fortunately, I exacted my own little bit of revenge on #27. I got her with the most blatant trip a goalie ever threw. She went flying on her belly and turned around to glare at me. To which all I have to say is: That's what you get for skating through the paint, sweetheart. (And yes, MsConduct10, I think that would be a fantastic thing to have on my tombstone!)
Personal revenge aside, we lost the game 5-0 (one was an empty netter) despite playing MUCH better than last time. This team was simply a level higher and no one can say they didn't leave it all on the ice. We got a silver, and we worked damn hard for it. Pictures were taken so hopefully soon I will have one to share. The ride home was bliss, too. I've done a lot of road trips, but all have been with someone else. This was the first time I've driven any decent distance by myself (4 hours). I have to say I loved it. Windows open, tunes cranked, coffee in hand. It was awesome. Well, I had to have the windows open. My gear was all spread out in the back seat, where it had been stored all weekend. (Hey we were not about to bring 3 stinky hockey bags into the hotel room). I'm wondering if it will ever dry out. And if my hip and knee will ever stop aching. But holy crap it was worth it. Next tourney is in August. I'm ready.
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