Hockey School Dropout

I'm in the midst of the busiest week of hockey I've had in a long time, if ever. Played goal Sunday night with my usual group, and had a blast. It was 5 on 5 but only 2 spares per side. Play was quick at the beginning, but got real slow toward the end. Too bad for the goalies these guys can still pick corners even when exhausted. :)

I played as a skater for my regular team Monday night, then as a skater Tuesday morning with a pickup group. But, I got to spare for 2 games last ...

Today marks the first anniversary of my first time playing goal on ice.

It has been quite a ride, with many ups and downs, and LOTS of learning. I have come a very long way since that first outing where I could barely move around the crease. I haven't regretted trying, though there have been times where I wonder what the heck I was thinking!

In just one year, I managed to play on a league team, play against guys who played pro in Europe, and get 2 shutouts (both in ...

Finally got into a league game again last night, sparing for the Meatballs! We played against Les Requins (Sharks). I was glad to get back into some "real" hockey action. Playing pickup is just not the same!

Warm up went fine, no shots to the head, and was able to get my glove going (since I just did the skate lace pocket on Wednesday and only had 1 glove shot Thursday morning). Confidence was high after coming off a solid outing Thursday morning.

This is ...

Played again this morning, and things were shaping up for a 3rd shutout (2 in a row). Made some easy saves, good rebound control, and I really concentrated on keeping my stick on the ice.

About halfway through, the puck came floating down to my end, and a black team player chasing it with a white team player (my side) in behind. I came out to play the puck near the side boards, intending to put it off the boards to the white player. No excuse, but the puck was waffling as I got to ...

I got my second shutout this morning with my pickup group. One of the first mornings in a while I've felt really good going in. There were multiple people away for the white team this morning, and I was worried about getting lots of action. I got peppered Monday morning, and at goalie school on Tuesday morning. The black team was missing one very good player, which helped.

I didn't have a lot of action throughout the game, but I managed to keep focus, and when I did get shots, ...