Two posts ago I mentioned that I felt a subtle shift in my game, and that I hoped GoalieBrain wasn't far behind. I think someone finally woke the bitch up, because we had a game Sunday night, and I was in the zone. Really in the zone. So much so that two direct shots to the middle of the forehead, and being completely flattened two times couldn't knock me out of it. Did we win? No. Another loss, but hallelujah, this one was "only" 5-3. That might be my lowest goals against in about 2 seasons in this league. And yet again, we mounted a comeback; at one point we were down 5-0.
Originally, I was unsure I'd even play this game. GH and I were off on a camping trip for the three days before the game, and I wasn't sure I'd be in the best shape after that. But then I came to my senses. Of course I was going to play, hello what was I thinking? And I'm glad I did. That game was another brick in the re-forming wall of my confidence. I'm feeling better about everything; my game, the team, even the league situation. Getting my mojo back (even if it's only partly back, that's better than nothing!) sort of cleared my head a little, and now I'm not so sure moving to the Instructional League is the answer. Add to that the fact that the rink is actually - finally - taking some steps to clean that league up and make it more how it is supposed to be, and I'm almost 180* from where I was a few weeks ago. We may not completely fit in our league the way it is now, but I really don't think we belong in the Instructional League either, especially if they're trying to get that whole thing sorted out.
So, lots to chew on. And Saturday morning open hockey is starting up this week, which I'm really looking forward to. I haven't been able to go on Friday mornings like I used to, and I really miss it. I think doing drop-ins regularly will help keep me on the upward climb. I sure hope so, because I was pretty miserable for a while there. It feels good to be looking forward to ice times again.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Tournament Recap
I've come full circle with tournaments now. This tournament was the first one I participated in last year, and it got my feet wet as far as the whole tournament vibe goes. I went from the nervous almost-bystander to one of the "old standbys" on the team. And this tournament always seems to mean a little more to me, not just because there's someone's memory we're playing for, but also because I will never forget the day when I was stopped dead in my tracks by the sight of ponytails hanging out of the helmets of the players out there on the ice.
I was really, really pumped for this tournament. Nervous, too, as we were going to be missing a few key players. If that happens in the middle of the season, there are a few players from the C team who fill in for us. But since the C team had their own division to worry about, we couldn't borrow any of their players. We did have one guest though, hkygrl12, who used to play on the C team but hadn't played for the QCats this season. It was great having her on the team. Even if I did have to make a save on her. ;)
The first team we faced was one who we used to play, but left this season for an "actual" league, so we had no idea what we'd be up against. Had they gotten better, playing in the "real" league? We needn't have worried. We played very well, and much of the game was spent in their zone. The D played great, and I earned myself a shutout, in spite of hkygrl12's late 3rd period deflection, which I pounced on and we laughed about. It felt good to get that win under our belts, as we had gone 0-3 in the tournament last year.
GoalieHusband coached that game, but due to his work schedule he missed our second game, which was at noon the next day (Saturday). Fortunately our former coach, Coach D, filled in for that one. We knew it was going to be a difficult game, because we were familiar with this opponent. As a matter of fact, two of their players had come to Florida with us. And each time we played them during the season it was always a very tough game.
If it wasn't for the "epic awesomeness" of the final game in the tournament, this one would have been the most memorable for me. On some level, really, it is, in that I personally had an excellent game and have several things to lock away in the goalie vault for future use when I'm feeling like a crappy goalie. Coach D even told me it was the best game he'd ever seen me play. What was the final score? 5-1, and not in our favor. In truth, it was a closer game than it sounds by that score, thanks in part to yours truly.
Prior to the game, in the locker room, Coach D mentioned something about me playing the puck, and I proudly volunteered that I'd actually done it quite a few times in Friday night's game. He told me he liked that, and I should keep it up. (You know where this is going, don't you...) So of course, when I thought I saw an opportunity for me to jump up and clear the puck, I figured I should take it. I don't know exactly what happened to the D, but they must have had as big a brain fart as I did, because lct29 said as soon as they came off the ice, Coach D said "you two are in time out". And, knowing they screwed up, they actually stood facing the wall, with their backs to the ice (grinning at each other, of course). I wish I had seen that. It might have made me laugh and forget that I just really made a blunder. I'd gone out to just about the half boards to get the puck, and instead of pushing it past the opponent coming down the wall, pretty much pushed it right towards her. I scrambled back to the net, and I think she passed to another player who was coming down the middle, who took the shot. All I know is, I got there just in time to get a skate on it... and have it bounce into the net behind me.
UGH.
Fortunately I redeemed myself by not letting it get to me, and continuing to play a really strong game. Even though we lost, I actually felt pretty good coming off the ice, because I felt some more of that shift I talked about in my review of the last Hawks game. I just felt like I was in that at-home goalie place. You know when you're away at a hotel for a while, and come back home and snuggle into your own bed, and your whole body just goes "ahhh.... HOME."? It's kind of like that. Only on ice. And with a lot more sweat. I had a save on a wide open back door chance that I definitely have on the personal highlight reel in my head. When we set up for the ensuing face-off, I heard Coach D yell my name from the bench. I looked up, and he flung both arms out wide. I had no idea what he was trying to say, maybe that I'd really flung my legs out? I just gave him the nod and focused on the puck drop. After the game I asked him about that and he said "You just absolutely amazed me with that save". *inner happydance*
That game absolutely wiped me out, but the day was far from over. I stuck around at the rink for the rest of the day, because I had to put in another shift at the table, smiling and being all kinds of helpful and friendly, and selling raffle tickets and t-shirts. GH showed up soon after that, and we caught two periods of gionta182's game before heading outside to set up for the BBQ. As successful and fun as the two womens' divisions of the tournament were, I think the co-ed "AIL" division was just the opposite. It's unfortunate that teams have to resort to bringing junior players to an adult instructional level tournament, but I guess that's what happens when there's absolutely no system of checks and balances at the rink. I think I'll just say that's not what this tournament is about, and that it really does a disservice to Michele Polis' memory, and leave it at that. Gionta182's team did a fantastic job of staving off the onslaught from the ringers, though. Major kudos to her and her team, and to her goalie, who I was really impressed with. I wonder if rebound control is contagious. If it is, maybe I absorbed some from watching him. He just gobbled up every single puck.
The BBQ was a success, with GH as Grill Master just like last year. The rain fortunately held off until just after we finished announcing the raffle winners. Alas, I did not win the coveted Henrik Lundqvist signed stick. I did however walk away with a $50 gift certificate to a hockey store in the area, so now maybe I'm that much closer to replacing my shoddy sticks. The Lundqvist stick went to a former QCat member, so hey, at least it's still in the family.
With all that the day took out of me, and a game at 9 a.m. the next day, I definitely didn't have it in me to burn the midnight oil. I have to admit I was a lame old fart and headed home at a (somewhat) sensible time. I'm glad I did, too. Even though there was no realistic way we'd make it into the final, we really needed to win the next game.
Sunday morning's game was against a team we play very frequently and subsequently are on quite good terms with. This is the team that invited us to play at the Devils practice ice at the Prudential Center a few weeks ago. An exhibition game in which we wore our red jerseys, thinking we'd get an easy win and get the curse off of them. Except that we lost. It used to be that this team was, let's just say, not the biggest challenge. And that's kind of what is in everyone's mind going into games against them. But they've gotten quite a bit better over the last year (as have we), and I think we've lulled ourselves into a false sense of confidence a few times. That exhibition game was definitely one of them.
Given that history, it was really important to all of us to get this win. And what a game. We definitely spent more time in their zone than they did in ours, but their goalie is always very good down low and she stopped almost everything. I have to admit, back there in my crease, not being able to do anything to help the team, I started to get a little frustrated. It was obvious that all it would take to beat this goalie was a few high shots, and in the last two practices, at least three players consistently went high on me. I kept wondering where those shots were.
Well, the Mayor found one. With the score tied 1-1 near the end of the third period, she took a perfect shot that went over the goalie's far shoulder and into the top corner of the net. The cheering on the ice and the bench was never so loud. We knew we weren't getting into the finals, but this was a big victory for us. We didn't let up and we were rewarded. I turned to grab my water bottle for a drink and noticed the clock. 45 seconds left!!! I hadn't realized it was that close to being a frustrating, kiss-your-sister tie. Seymour Cock made it to this tournament as well, and he was unanimously awarded to the Mayor for that awesome goal.
But that's not all there was to the game. I mentioned earlier that we have a good relationship with this other team. There are some teams we play where the games become a little chippy from time to time, but this team is not one of them. So, in the first period, when I looked up and saw one of our quietest, most un-ruffled players literally tackle an opponent at the red line, I was stunned. Even more so when they proceeded to have an actual fight (as much as you can with a cage on). They were rolling around throwing punches, and it took the two refs several attempts to separate them. Even then they were still swinging and trying to get at each other. I still don't know quite what started it. GH says our player was coming out of the zone hard, and the other girl got in her way and she just bowled her over and things went from there, but there has to be more to it than that. Even playing on men's teams, where things can get pretty hot under the collar, I've never seen a fight like that. Both players were obviously ejected. The best part though? The other team's player was hands down their best. Kudos to "Irish" for taking a ringer out of the mix.
So, I'd say it was a great tournament. Complete with great saves, great timely goals, errant defensemen put in "time out", an honest to goodness fight, and great times with great people for a great cause. In the words of the Mayor, "I love us".
I was really, really pumped for this tournament. Nervous, too, as we were going to be missing a few key players. If that happens in the middle of the season, there are a few players from the C team who fill in for us. But since the C team had their own division to worry about, we couldn't borrow any of their players. We did have one guest though, hkygrl12, who used to play on the C team but hadn't played for the QCats this season. It was great having her on the team. Even if I did have to make a save on her. ;)
The first team we faced was one who we used to play, but left this season for an "actual" league, so we had no idea what we'd be up against. Had they gotten better, playing in the "real" league? We needn't have worried. We played very well, and much of the game was spent in their zone. The D played great, and I earned myself a shutout, in spite of hkygrl12's late 3rd period deflection, which I pounced on and we laughed about. It felt good to get that win under our belts, as we had gone 0-3 in the tournament last year.
GoalieHusband coached that game, but due to his work schedule he missed our second game, which was at noon the next day (Saturday). Fortunately our former coach, Coach D, filled in for that one. We knew it was going to be a difficult game, because we were familiar with this opponent. As a matter of fact, two of their players had come to Florida with us. And each time we played them during the season it was always a very tough game.
If it wasn't for the "epic awesomeness" of the final game in the tournament, this one would have been the most memorable for me. On some level, really, it is, in that I personally had an excellent game and have several things to lock away in the goalie vault for future use when I'm feeling like a crappy goalie. Coach D even told me it was the best game he'd ever seen me play. What was the final score? 5-1, and not in our favor. In truth, it was a closer game than it sounds by that score, thanks in part to yours truly.
Prior to the game, in the locker room, Coach D mentioned something about me playing the puck, and I proudly volunteered that I'd actually done it quite a few times in Friday night's game. He told me he liked that, and I should keep it up. (You know where this is going, don't you...) So of course, when I thought I saw an opportunity for me to jump up and clear the puck, I figured I should take it. I don't know exactly what happened to the D, but they must have had as big a brain fart as I did, because lct29 said as soon as they came off the ice, Coach D said "you two are in time out". And, knowing they screwed up, they actually stood facing the wall, with their backs to the ice (grinning at each other, of course). I wish I had seen that. It might have made me laugh and forget that I just really made a blunder. I'd gone out to just about the half boards to get the puck, and instead of pushing it past the opponent coming down the wall, pretty much pushed it right towards her. I scrambled back to the net, and I think she passed to another player who was coming down the middle, who took the shot. All I know is, I got there just in time to get a skate on it... and have it bounce into the net behind me.
UGH.
Fortunately I redeemed myself by not letting it get to me, and continuing to play a really strong game. Even though we lost, I actually felt pretty good coming off the ice, because I felt some more of that shift I talked about in my review of the last Hawks game. I just felt like I was in that at-home goalie place. You know when you're away at a hotel for a while, and come back home and snuggle into your own bed, and your whole body just goes "ahhh.... HOME."? It's kind of like that. Only on ice. And with a lot more sweat. I had a save on a wide open back door chance that I definitely have on the personal highlight reel in my head. When we set up for the ensuing face-off, I heard Coach D yell my name from the bench. I looked up, and he flung both arms out wide. I had no idea what he was trying to say, maybe that I'd really flung my legs out? I just gave him the nod and focused on the puck drop. After the game I asked him about that and he said "You just absolutely amazed me with that save". *inner happydance*
That game absolutely wiped me out, but the day was far from over. I stuck around at the rink for the rest of the day, because I had to put in another shift at the table, smiling and being all kinds of helpful and friendly, and selling raffle tickets and t-shirts. GH showed up soon after that, and we caught two periods of gionta182's game before heading outside to set up for the BBQ. As successful and fun as the two womens' divisions of the tournament were, I think the co-ed "AIL" division was just the opposite. It's unfortunate that teams have to resort to bringing junior players to an adult instructional level tournament, but I guess that's what happens when there's absolutely no system of checks and balances at the rink. I think I'll just say that's not what this tournament is about, and that it really does a disservice to Michele Polis' memory, and leave it at that. Gionta182's team did a fantastic job of staving off the onslaught from the ringers, though. Major kudos to her and her team, and to her goalie, who I was really impressed with. I wonder if rebound control is contagious. If it is, maybe I absorbed some from watching him. He just gobbled up every single puck.
The BBQ was a success, with GH as Grill Master just like last year. The rain fortunately held off until just after we finished announcing the raffle winners. Alas, I did not win the coveted Henrik Lundqvist signed stick. I did however walk away with a $50 gift certificate to a hockey store in the area, so now maybe I'm that much closer to replacing my shoddy sticks. The Lundqvist stick went to a former QCat member, so hey, at least it's still in the family.
With all that the day took out of me, and a game at 9 a.m. the next day, I definitely didn't have it in me to burn the midnight oil. I have to admit I was a lame old fart and headed home at a (somewhat) sensible time. I'm glad I did, too. Even though there was no realistic way we'd make it into the final, we really needed to win the next game.
Sunday morning's game was against a team we play very frequently and subsequently are on quite good terms with. This is the team that invited us to play at the Devils practice ice at the Prudential Center a few weeks ago. An exhibition game in which we wore our red jerseys, thinking we'd get an easy win and get the curse off of them. Except that we lost. It used to be that this team was, let's just say, not the biggest challenge. And that's kind of what is in everyone's mind going into games against them. But they've gotten quite a bit better over the last year (as have we), and I think we've lulled ourselves into a false sense of confidence a few times. That exhibition game was definitely one of them.
Given that history, it was really important to all of us to get this win. And what a game. We definitely spent more time in their zone than they did in ours, but their goalie is always very good down low and she stopped almost everything. I have to admit, back there in my crease, not being able to do anything to help the team, I started to get a little frustrated. It was obvious that all it would take to beat this goalie was a few high shots, and in the last two practices, at least three players consistently went high on me. I kept wondering where those shots were.
Well, the Mayor found one. With the score tied 1-1 near the end of the third period, she took a perfect shot that went over the goalie's far shoulder and into the top corner of the net. The cheering on the ice and the bench was never so loud. We knew we weren't getting into the finals, but this was a big victory for us. We didn't let up and we were rewarded. I turned to grab my water bottle for a drink and noticed the clock. 45 seconds left!!! I hadn't realized it was that close to being a frustrating, kiss-your-sister tie. Seymour Cock made it to this tournament as well, and he was unanimously awarded to the Mayor for that awesome goal.
But that's not all there was to the game. I mentioned earlier that we have a good relationship with this other team. There are some teams we play where the games become a little chippy from time to time, but this team is not one of them. So, in the first period, when I looked up and saw one of our quietest, most un-ruffled players literally tackle an opponent at the red line, I was stunned. Even more so when they proceeded to have an actual fight (as much as you can with a cage on). They were rolling around throwing punches, and it took the two refs several attempts to separate them. Even then they were still swinging and trying to get at each other. I still don't know quite what started it. GH says our player was coming out of the zone hard, and the other girl got in her way and she just bowled her over and things went from there, but there has to be more to it than that. Even playing on men's teams, where things can get pretty hot under the collar, I've never seen a fight like that. Both players were obviously ejected. The best part though? The other team's player was hands down their best. Kudos to "Irish" for taking a ringer out of the mix.
So, I'd say it was a great tournament. Complete with great saves, great timely goals, errant defensemen put in "time out", an honest to goodness fight, and great times with great people for a great cause. In the words of the Mayor, "I love us".
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Practice, Competition, Body Language, and Muscle Memory
It's almost tourney time again, folks! And since we're hosting this one, I'm extra excited. Hopefully it won't rain on our BBQ on Saturday. That would suck. We had two extra ice slots that we didn't use during the season, so we're using them for practices to get ready. We had one last week, and have one again tonight. Last week's practice went well; I was suitably wiped afterwards. Gionta182 had a couple of nice goals on me, but I got some good saves on her too. I have to be more patient on breakaways. I also had trouble with another player, who kept putting it past me glove side. *Mental note: don't keep going down so early dammit.
We scrimmaged for a bit at the end of practice, and after about 10 minutes I could see the girls were getting really gassed, so I suggested a shootout. (That's when Gionta182 got one of her nice ones. Dammit.) We ran through several shooters, and then the zamboni doors opened and people started heading off the ice. I was following suit when I heard someone yell "GOALIE!" I looked up and there at the red line with the pucks was "Slick". I cracked a big grin.
Slick and I have a fun little competition going. I'm not even sure she realizes it, but being the competitor she is, I think she probably does. She plays for the C team, and is very, very good. She's the kind of forward I actually watch and admire, the way she makes it look so effortless. Quite some time ago, Hkygrl12's men's team scrimmaged against the C team and invited me to play. It was during that game that I stopped her several times (much to my surprise actually), and kept her off the scoreboard. We've run into each other once or twice since then and it's always fun to see if I can match up to her level. For some reason, I usually do. It's my own little private feather in my cap. (Not so private anymore- HI INTERNET!!!) All of that as lead-up to explain why I kicked into "bring it!" gear when looked up and saw that it was her at the red line, challenging me. She tried some fancy Marty St. Louis move on me, and I stopped her, just barely. The puck bounced and went under my pad and for a minute I thought it went in, but it didn't. Sweet.
I got another chance last night when the Hawks faced the MedWings, who she's played for a few times. Unfortunately she scored on me once (a sweet little back door tap-in from the top of the crease off a quick pass from just above the goal line... grrrr), but I did get a really nice save on her in the 3rd period. It was a high point to an otherwise somewhat frustrating game. We lost 7-6, but in the "silver lining" department, we battled back from a 7-2 deficit to get there.
I have one issue that's kind of been brewing and I had intended to handle it myself, but it didn't work out that way. I have one D-man, and now his partner is picking up the habit, who slams his stick after every goal. Used to be just once in a while. Now it's every goal he's on the ice for. I know in my rational head that he's probably mostly pissed about a mistake he made or thinks he made, but that is really poor sportsmanship and sends the wrong message to me, the team, and the other team quite frankly. It's the reason I never, ever, bang my stick, no matter how frustrated I am with myself about a goal. (I'll swear a blue streak, but I never bang my stick). So, I planned to mention something to him about it, off the ice, just in passing, not making a big deal about it. But last night after four goals in the first period, and three in the second, I was really starting to heat up. He was on the ice for a good amount of them and slammed his stick every single time. On the final goal, he wasn't out there, but GoalieHusband was, and was right next to me, and I was so worked up he got an earful about it. I think it went something like "why does my fucking D have to fucking bang their fucking stick every fucking goddamn time". Not exactly how I had planned to address it. ;) Evidently he went to the bench and mentioned it to the guy, who said it wasn't personal at all, but hopefully the message got across. I appreciate that he did that for me, but I hope it doesn't look bad that he was "messenger boy".
But that aside... I'm feeling pretty good today, yes even after 7 goals. I felt something click. I don't know why it's taken this long, but I am finally getting my muscle memory back. I was only out for 2 months- some people miss that much time just because of stuff that needs to be done at home or with/for the kids, etc, and come back with no more than just a little rust. But in the third period, I felt a subtle shift in my muscles and my movement. I know this sounds silly, but I felt it. Hopefully GoalieBrain isn't far behind, because she's been in a coma lately. Gotta poke that bitch with a stick and wake her ass up. I have a tournament to play in, let's go, cupcake.
We scrimmaged for a bit at the end of practice, and after about 10 minutes I could see the girls were getting really gassed, so I suggested a shootout. (That's when Gionta182 got one of her nice ones. Dammit.) We ran through several shooters, and then the zamboni doors opened and people started heading off the ice. I was following suit when I heard someone yell "GOALIE!" I looked up and there at the red line with the pucks was "Slick". I cracked a big grin.
Slick and I have a fun little competition going. I'm not even sure she realizes it, but being the competitor she is, I think she probably does. She plays for the C team, and is very, very good. She's the kind of forward I actually watch and admire, the way she makes it look so effortless. Quite some time ago, Hkygrl12's men's team scrimmaged against the C team and invited me to play. It was during that game that I stopped her several times (much to my surprise actually), and kept her off the scoreboard. We've run into each other once or twice since then and it's always fun to see if I can match up to her level. For some reason, I usually do. It's my own little private feather in my cap. (Not so private anymore- HI INTERNET!!!) All of that as lead-up to explain why I kicked into "bring it!" gear when looked up and saw that it was her at the red line, challenging me. She tried some fancy Marty St. Louis move on me, and I stopped her, just barely. The puck bounced and went under my pad and for a minute I thought it went in, but it didn't. Sweet.
I got another chance last night when the Hawks faced the MedWings, who she's played for a few times. Unfortunately she scored on me once (a sweet little back door tap-in from the top of the crease off a quick pass from just above the goal line... grrrr), but I did get a really nice save on her in the 3rd period. It was a high point to an otherwise somewhat frustrating game. We lost 7-6, but in the "silver lining" department, we battled back from a 7-2 deficit to get there.
I have one issue that's kind of been brewing and I had intended to handle it myself, but it didn't work out that way. I have one D-man, and now his partner is picking up the habit, who slams his stick after every goal. Used to be just once in a while. Now it's every goal he's on the ice for. I know in my rational head that he's probably mostly pissed about a mistake he made or thinks he made, but that is really poor sportsmanship and sends the wrong message to me, the team, and the other team quite frankly. It's the reason I never, ever, bang my stick, no matter how frustrated I am with myself about a goal. (I'll swear a blue streak, but I never bang my stick). So, I planned to mention something to him about it, off the ice, just in passing, not making a big deal about it. But last night after four goals in the first period, and three in the second, I was really starting to heat up. He was on the ice for a good amount of them and slammed his stick every single time. On the final goal, he wasn't out there, but GoalieHusband was, and was right next to me, and I was so worked up he got an earful about it. I think it went something like "why does my fucking D have to fucking bang their fucking stick every fucking goddamn time". Not exactly how I had planned to address it. ;) Evidently he went to the bench and mentioned it to the guy, who said it wasn't personal at all, but hopefully the message got across. I appreciate that he did that for me, but I hope it doesn't look bad that he was "messenger boy".
But that aside... I'm feeling pretty good today, yes even after 7 goals. I felt something click. I don't know why it's taken this long, but I am finally getting my muscle memory back. I was only out for 2 months- some people miss that much time just because of stuff that needs to be done at home or with/for the kids, etc, and come back with no more than just a little rust. But in the third period, I felt a subtle shift in my muscles and my movement. I know this sounds silly, but I felt it. Hopefully GoalieBrain isn't far behind, because she's been in a coma lately. Gotta poke that bitch with a stick and wake her ass up. I have a tournament to play in, let's go, cupcake.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Welcome Back, Old Friend
I have a confession to make: I'm a slacker. I haven't been working out like I should, and I think that is part of my problem on the ice lately. (GH made the observation that I'm not as quick as I was before). Between an absolutely brutal tournament schedule (one had me on the ice for 6 games in the space of about 50 hours) and quite a bit of a mental funk, I've completely dropped the workouts. It took me literally 4 days to recover from one of the tournaments; I wasn't about to pile more abuse on my body in the form of workouts. That's not dedicated, that's just stupid. But of course I could have stretched every day. That wouldn't have worn me out. Did I? Nope. Or I'd recover from a tournament and then have a game the next day. My schedule got completely out of whack. And as I mentioned, I've been in a bit of a mental downward spiral. Time to change that. I worked out yesterday morning and again today, and I forgot how good it feels later in the day. I forgot the energy you get from keeping your body moving. I do have more tournaments on the horizon, but that doesn't mean I have to drop everything completely.
I'm determined to get back on track but I need some help. One thing that was great about when I had lessons with a coach, besides the lessons themselves, was the accountability factor. I had to be up at 4:30 in the morning to be on the ice with him in time to make it to work on time, and you can bet your ass that sucked. But I did it, because I knew he'd be there at the rink waiting for me, and you can't just not show up because you "don't feel like it". I need to apply the same discipline to getting out of bed and going downstairs to work out. (Thankfully, I don't have to get up at 4:30 to do that!). One idea I had was to keep a log, where I write each day what I did, or if I didn't, why not. For example:
Monday - Sp/Core/Mob (from UGT)
Tuesday - St/Mob (from UGT)
Wednesday - nothing - didn't get up on time <--- slacker!
Thursday - nothing - late night practice last night <---- this is ok
Friday - 90 min on the ice (open hockey)
etc, etc.
Clearly, this didn't keep me honest enough to not completely fall off the training wagon. So, I could use some suggestions. Should I tweet each day what I did or didn't do? Not sure about that one- who the hell cares, right? Keep up with my written log and add smiley faces and sad faces because I don't like seeing sad faces? You'd think the motivation of being better on the ice would be enough. I feel like a jackass that it isn't. Maybe I should put a sticky with the scores from my worst games next to my alarm clock, that way if I don't feel like getting out of bed, I have the motivation staring me right in my face.
And in Stanley Cup news, while I was writing this, Mr. Inappropriate came and asked me who I want to win, and then gave me crap for rooting for Boston. Sorry buddy... I know as a NY team supporter I'm supposed to hate all Boston teams, but Timmy is a BEAST* and half my family is from Massachusetts, so too bad. Mr. Inappropriate has a region-appropriate hatred of Boston teams, so he is rooting for the Canucks. He challenged me to a $5 bet, and we pinkie-swore on it. So that makes two bets I have going on the B's. The other is with twitter buddy DWKeoughan: the loser changes their avatar to a picture of them in the winning team's jersey. (I believe that's what we settled on... correct me if I'm wrong?) So you Bruins better bring it, because I don't feel like losing TWO bets!!!
*No, I have not forgotten Tuukka. I feel so awful for him, not playing any games, having the crappy season he had, but with Thomas playing as well as he has, how could you possibly not play him?
I'm determined to get back on track but I need some help. One thing that was great about when I had lessons with a coach, besides the lessons themselves, was the accountability factor. I had to be up at 4:30 in the morning to be on the ice with him in time to make it to work on time, and you can bet your ass that sucked. But I did it, because I knew he'd be there at the rink waiting for me, and you can't just not show up because you "don't feel like it". I need to apply the same discipline to getting out of bed and going downstairs to work out. (Thankfully, I don't have to get up at 4:30 to do that!). One idea I had was to keep a log, where I write each day what I did, or if I didn't, why not. For example:
Monday - Sp/Core/Mob (from UGT)
Tuesday - St/Mob (from UGT)
Wednesday - nothing - didn't get up on time <--- slacker!
Thursday - nothing - late night practice last night <---- this is ok
Friday - 90 min on the ice (open hockey)
etc, etc.
Clearly, this didn't keep me honest enough to not completely fall off the training wagon. So, I could use some suggestions. Should I tweet each day what I did or didn't do? Not sure about that one- who the hell cares, right? Keep up with my written log and add smiley faces and sad faces because I don't like seeing sad faces? You'd think the motivation of being better on the ice would be enough. I feel like a jackass that it isn't. Maybe I should put a sticky with the scores from my worst games next to my alarm clock, that way if I don't feel like getting out of bed, I have the motivation staring me right in my face.
And in Stanley Cup news, while I was writing this, Mr. Inappropriate came and asked me who I want to win, and then gave me crap for rooting for Boston. Sorry buddy... I know as a NY team supporter I'm supposed to hate all Boston teams, but Timmy is a BEAST* and half my family is from Massachusetts, so too bad. Mr. Inappropriate has a region-appropriate hatred of Boston teams, so he is rooting for the Canucks. He challenged me to a $5 bet, and we pinkie-swore on it. So that makes two bets I have going on the B's. The other is with twitter buddy DWKeoughan: the loser changes their avatar to a picture of them in the winning team's jersey. (I believe that's what we settled on... correct me if I'm wrong?) So you Bruins better bring it, because I don't feel like losing TWO bets!!!
*No, I have not forgotten Tuukka. I feel so awful for him, not playing any games, having the crappy season he had, but with Thomas playing as well as he has, how could you possibly not play him?
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Boys Are Still Gross
Now that all that serious stuff is out of the way, I can share my pain with you all in that misery loves company sort of sense. I didn't think I'd see anything more disgusting than this at a rink, but I think the condition of our locker room on Sunday night might top that, if only because of number of people affected.
GoalieHusband and I were pretty early for the game, so we were the first ones in the locker room. We dropped our bags, and he headed into the toilet stall- and did a quick about-face and came right back out. "Someone puked in there", he said. Ahhh, so that's what that faint odor was.
Even though Senator took one for the team and went in and flushed the toilet, each person to arrive remarked on the smell. I had a small pocket-sized container of hand sanitizer that I ran around the room spraying, but it didn't seem to help. We left the door open while we dressed, but it wasn't any better when we returned after the game, after we'd kept the room locked up to prevent our valuables from being stolen (again). Fifteen steamy sweaty people in a small room with puke odor. Not a fun time.
Is it a chick thing, flushing the toilet? I mean, I know every woman is always after her man to put the seat down, but really, do men just generally not flush? Or is it just the neanderthals at the rink? I really just don't get that. Every week we arrive to a locker room with a toilet full of unflushed piss, so much so that it hardly bothers us anymore. Every now and then there will be a different kind of donation floating around in there, and once there was even some kind of strange hair explosion lurking in the toilet. And when the QCats have practice during the season, the locker room we use is occupied by high school boys right before us, and the mixed scent of piss and Axe is not something that's easy to forget. But I'll take that over damp steamy puke any day. Gross.
Needless to say, I changed my underthings in the women's restroom instead of taking my chances in the Stall Of Biohazard. I'm bringing a can of Lysol in my bag from now on because that was just vile. The only thing that stunk worse than that locker room that night was our performance on the ice. Har har.
GoalieHusband and I were pretty early for the game, so we were the first ones in the locker room. We dropped our bags, and he headed into the toilet stall- and did a quick about-face and came right back out. "Someone puked in there", he said. Ahhh, so that's what that faint odor was.
Even though Senator took one for the team and went in and flushed the toilet, each person to arrive remarked on the smell. I had a small pocket-sized container of hand sanitizer that I ran around the room spraying, but it didn't seem to help. We left the door open while we dressed, but it wasn't any better when we returned after the game, after we'd kept the room locked up to prevent our valuables from being stolen (again). Fifteen steamy sweaty people in a small room with puke odor. Not a fun time.
Is it a chick thing, flushing the toilet? I mean, I know every woman is always after her man to put the seat down, but really, do men just generally not flush? Or is it just the neanderthals at the rink? I really just don't get that. Every week we arrive to a locker room with a toilet full of unflushed piss, so much so that it hardly bothers us anymore. Every now and then there will be a different kind of donation floating around in there, and once there was even some kind of strange hair explosion lurking in the toilet. And when the QCats have practice during the season, the locker room we use is occupied by high school boys right before us, and the mixed scent of piss and Axe is not something that's easy to forget. But I'll take that over damp steamy puke any day. Gross.
Needless to say, I changed my underthings in the women's restroom instead of taking my chances in the Stall Of Biohazard. I'm bringing a can of Lysol in my bag from now on because that was just vile. The only thing that stunk worse than that locker room that night was our performance on the ice. Har har.
Monday, May 23, 2011
With decision, comes relief
It's so strange. You'd think I'd know myself by now. You'd think I'd realize that when I fight and fight and fight against something, it's usually that thing that I need most to do/accept. Maybe my skull is as thick as my goalie mask and then some, but after a 12-5 shellacking, it finally sunk in: I do not belong in the league I'm playing in. Neither, quite frankly, does most of my team. So no, this is not going to be a "waaah I suck" post. Trust me, I've given this lots of thought.
A few weeks ago, on the way home from yet another double-digit loss, GoalieHusband hit the nail squarely on the head. We are playing against guys who have a hockey background, who played in high school and possibly in college, who certainly have a lot more experience and coaching than a bunch of passionate idiots who just took the sport up in their 30's, outside on the asphalt. (And I use "idiots" as a term of endearment here.) Because we are nothing if not passionate. And it is that passion, that I think has kept me from admitting to myself what the hockey gods have so desperately been trying to show me. We (GoalieHusband and I- I'm not speaking for the whole team here) need to move down a level.
I've fought against this so vehemently in my mind because the next level down is the Adult Instructional League (AIL), which is where we started when we first switched to ice. Talk about coming back with your tail between your legs. But in the years since we've been in that league, things have changed. It is an instructional league in name only. The league levels at this rink are ridiculously skewed. There are players from the QCats C team playing in the AIL. There are players with probably a lot more hockey experience than me playing in the AIL. Why? Because they have or know they would get smoked in the "Lower D" league. Yeah. The next level up isn't even called D. It's called Lower D. So, if the AIL is truly D, then the Lower D is really more like a C, which means the D level is probably a high C/almost B.
I hope I haven't lost too many people with that alphabet soup. It was my pride that made me balk at going "back down" to the AIL. When in fact, the more I think about it, the more I realize that's where I belong - in its current incarnation. When I started this whole journey out, I just assumed that I'd start out a raw beginner and keep progressing and moving up. And I thought that's how everyone looked at it. Now that I'm in the thick of it, I realize it's not like that across the board. I realize that as competitive as I am, as passionately as I pursue this hobby, it has to also be about fun. And I'm not having fun anymore.
Like I said, I know I don't belong at this level, but I'm not shouldering the entire burden and beating myself up over it. I'm trying to be objective. Last night was just a microcosm. I started out playing great. Play was in our zone most of the time and yet we got out of the first period only down 2-0, and got a goal early in the 2nd. I continued playing well, but then everything fell apart. All of us. They scored 7 goals in the 2nd period, and it just got worse from there. I'd prefer to not rehash all of it. I do know that making matters worse was one guy playing down from the level above (he was even wearing his jersey from that team), a show-off guy who even when the score was 9-3 would take it end to end, flip it past me effortlessly, and gloat. Several times.
This is not fun. Losing every night, racking up 8, 9 now even 10 or 12 goals against, regardless of whose "fault" they are (as teammates try to assure me they are not all my "fault"), is not fun. Driving home week after week after games like that sucks. The next day sucks. I'm sick of it. I want it to be fun again, and I think it will be if I get back to where I belong. As I told a friend today, I don't give a shit what the league is called, I just want to have a chance at having a good time. I'm certainly not saying it's 100% about fun and winning doesn't matter- because it does. But losing that badly all the time just sucks.
Of course there's the little monster in the back of my head that whispers to me "You know, they beat that team 5-2 when your sub was in net...." I don't know what happened, but when I was out, the pieces fell together. The team was playing well. Maybe part of the pieces that fell together was having someone else in net. I really don't think he's all that much better than me but the facts speak for themselves. We have the same team now as we did when I was out and they did so well. The only thing different is me being back. I'm sick of feeling like I'm letting my team down.
So where does that leave things? I can't say for 100% certain but I don't think I'll be in this league after this season. And from some comments from some other guys after the game, I don't think GH and I will be the only ones. It sucks. I've loved this team. It's a great bunch. But I can't keep putting myself through this wringer. Whether it truly is just me, or whether it's everyone (with the exception of our 3 top guys), it doesn't matter. All I know is, I woke up today feeling a little bit lighter, and not cranky or brooding over the game, because I realized that I needed to make a change. And change sucks. I hate it. I can't even tell you how much I hate it. I'm going to miss these guys something fierce. But I think I have to do this.
Hockey isn't supposed to hurt this much, dammit.
A few weeks ago, on the way home from yet another double-digit loss, GoalieHusband hit the nail squarely on the head. We are playing against guys who have a hockey background, who played in high school and possibly in college, who certainly have a lot more experience and coaching than a bunch of passionate idiots who just took the sport up in their 30's, outside on the asphalt. (And I use "idiots" as a term of endearment here.) Because we are nothing if not passionate. And it is that passion, that I think has kept me from admitting to myself what the hockey gods have so desperately been trying to show me. We (GoalieHusband and I- I'm not speaking for the whole team here) need to move down a level.
I've fought against this so vehemently in my mind because the next level down is the Adult Instructional League (AIL), which is where we started when we first switched to ice. Talk about coming back with your tail between your legs. But in the years since we've been in that league, things have changed. It is an instructional league in name only. The league levels at this rink are ridiculously skewed. There are players from the QCats C team playing in the AIL. There are players with probably a lot more hockey experience than me playing in the AIL. Why? Because they have or know they would get smoked in the "Lower D" league. Yeah. The next level up isn't even called D. It's called Lower D. So, if the AIL is truly D, then the Lower D is really more like a C, which means the D level is probably a high C/almost B.
I hope I haven't lost too many people with that alphabet soup. It was my pride that made me balk at going "back down" to the AIL. When in fact, the more I think about it, the more I realize that's where I belong - in its current incarnation. When I started this whole journey out, I just assumed that I'd start out a raw beginner and keep progressing and moving up. And I thought that's how everyone looked at it. Now that I'm in the thick of it, I realize it's not like that across the board. I realize that as competitive as I am, as passionately as I pursue this hobby, it has to also be about fun. And I'm not having fun anymore.
Like I said, I know I don't belong at this level, but I'm not shouldering the entire burden and beating myself up over it. I'm trying to be objective. Last night was just a microcosm. I started out playing great. Play was in our zone most of the time and yet we got out of the first period only down 2-0, and got a goal early in the 2nd. I continued playing well, but then everything fell apart. All of us. They scored 7 goals in the 2nd period, and it just got worse from there. I'd prefer to not rehash all of it. I do know that making matters worse was one guy playing down from the level above (he was even wearing his jersey from that team), a show-off guy who even when the score was 9-3 would take it end to end, flip it past me effortlessly, and gloat. Several times.
This is not fun. Losing every night, racking up 8, 9 now even 10 or 12 goals against, regardless of whose "fault" they are (as teammates try to assure me they are not all my "fault"), is not fun. Driving home week after week after games like that sucks. The next day sucks. I'm sick of it. I want it to be fun again, and I think it will be if I get back to where I belong. As I told a friend today, I don't give a shit what the league is called, I just want to have a chance at having a good time. I'm certainly not saying it's 100% about fun and winning doesn't matter- because it does. But losing that badly all the time just sucks.
Of course there's the little monster in the back of my head that whispers to me "You know, they beat that team 5-2 when your sub was in net...." I don't know what happened, but when I was out, the pieces fell together. The team was playing well. Maybe part of the pieces that fell together was having someone else in net. I really don't think he's all that much better than me but the facts speak for themselves. We have the same team now as we did when I was out and they did so well. The only thing different is me being back. I'm sick of feeling like I'm letting my team down.
So where does that leave things? I can't say for 100% certain but I don't think I'll be in this league after this season. And from some comments from some other guys after the game, I don't think GH and I will be the only ones. It sucks. I've loved this team. It's a great bunch. But I can't keep putting myself through this wringer. Whether it truly is just me, or whether it's everyone (with the exception of our 3 top guys), it doesn't matter. All I know is, I woke up today feeling a little bit lighter, and not cranky or brooding over the game, because I realized that I needed to make a change. And change sucks. I hate it. I can't even tell you how much I hate it. I'm going to miss these guys something fierce. But I think I have to do this.
Hockey isn't supposed to hurt this much, dammit.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Spreading the word
I'm two for two. In the past two days, I've gotten two people to sign up for Twitter. One is my awesomely fearsome defenceman aka "Flipper", the other is none other than... my Mom. So everyone say hi to @lct29. But I'm not telling you my Mom's screen name because she's still trying to figure this whole twitter thing out. I have already warned her that I have no filter on Twitter. Which actually isn't true. I've bitten my tongue quite a bit. But I have a hell of a lot less of a filter on Twitter than I do around her, so sorry Mom, if you didn't realize how immature and crass I was. ;)
It's been a pretty quiet week in Goalie Household, hockey wise. I've been laying low this week, recuperating from the tournament. It has come to my attention that I do not take very good care of myself at tournaments, and that's something that has to change. I had good intentions with this one; I brought several high protein/carb drinks to have after games to replenish myself, but I forgot to actually bring them to the rink with me. I have to get better about that.
So, I haven't done squat all week, not since my game on Sunday night after rushing home from the tournament. We have a double-header on the schedule for tomorrow, and the first half of it is actually pretty unique. A team the QCats play against in the regular season invited us for a sort of exhibition game, only it's not at their regular rink. One of them somehow won ice time at the Pru Center practice ice. We'll have refs and two 20 minute running time periods (I think). It's pretty cool, but it means that I will be IN MARTY'S CREASE. AAAAAAAHHHH. I have vowed to scratch a Ranger logo into it before I leave.
Later, at night, we have a Hawks game. We lost our last one in a shootout, 7-6. Yeah there went my awesome GAA for the weekend. The first 3 goals I don't feel so great about, but everything from the last half of the 2nd period on, I can certainly be proud of. I played my ass off for the last half of that game. Maybe it took me a little while to get going, but man once I did, I felt great. Unfortunately my shootout luck didn't follow me home from Ithaca, and we lost.
Truth be told, I'm a little concerned that my complete lack of activity all week will have left me a tad rusty, but I'm very much looking forward to both games tomorrow. And I promise to drink lots of water and have my shake as soon as I get off the ice.
It's been a pretty quiet week in Goalie Household, hockey wise. I've been laying low this week, recuperating from the tournament. It has come to my attention that I do not take very good care of myself at tournaments, and that's something that has to change. I had good intentions with this one; I brought several high protein/carb drinks to have after games to replenish myself, but I forgot to actually bring them to the rink with me. I have to get better about that.
So, I haven't done squat all week, not since my game on Sunday night after rushing home from the tournament. We have a double-header on the schedule for tomorrow, and the first half of it is actually pretty unique. A team the QCats play against in the regular season invited us for a sort of exhibition game, only it's not at their regular rink. One of them somehow won ice time at the Pru Center practice ice. We'll have refs and two 20 minute running time periods (I think). It's pretty cool, but it means that I will be IN MARTY'S CREASE. AAAAAAAHHHH. I have vowed to scratch a Ranger logo into it before I leave.
Later, at night, we have a Hawks game. We lost our last one in a shootout, 7-6. Yeah there went my awesome GAA for the weekend. The first 3 goals I don't feel so great about, but everything from the last half of the 2nd period on, I can certainly be proud of. I played my ass off for the last half of that game. Maybe it took me a little while to get going, but man once I did, I felt great. Unfortunately my shootout luck didn't follow me home from Ithaca, and we lost.
Truth be told, I'm a little concerned that my complete lack of activity all week will have left me a tad rusty, but I'm very much looking forward to both games tomorrow. And I promise to drink lots of water and have my shake as soon as I get off the ice.
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