Hockey School Dropout

Played my first ever tournament as a goalie Saturday. What a blast! Great time with some really great people on all teams. We were called "The EH team", and it was a mixed tournament with some quirky rules. So, here's the breakdown!

Game 1: Weird rule for this game was only GIRLS were allowed to score. As a goalie, this made the game incredibly easy, as I only had to track the female players in our zone. The guys could do whatever, but none ever shot as any goals wouldn't count. We got up 1-0 early in the game. Then it became pretty obvious that our girls were much better than their girls (one of our girls played one year of university hockey, most of theirs could barely skate). About 1/2 through the first period, my defense decided to let their girls come in the zone and shoot - thankfully they warned me beforehand - which was nice as I was getting pretty bored! I was posting a shutout through most of the game. With about 4 minutes to go, I started thinking that some wonky, bouncing puck was going to get by me. And with the power of the mind....with about 2 1/2 minutes to go, I made a routine stop at the side of the net. My pad was still on the ice, and since none of their girls could really raise the puck, I just played the odds and stayed down. So of course, their girl takes another whack at it, just as one of my defenders puts her stick in the way. The puck takes off, straight into the top of the net. Nuts. So, the first game ended tied 1-1. Not bad.

Game 2: Weird rule for this game was every player was allowed to score 1 goal, any additional goals cost them a $5 fine. For the first period, teams traded goals, and suddenly we found ourselves down 3-2. A couple of the guys must have thought "to hell with the $5" cause halfway through the 2nd we were up 7-3. Both teams kept at it, and at the end we won 8-4. The other goalie was a woman who was maybe 5'2" tops, but one heck of a goalie. She made some saves that had everyone on our side just stunned. One was a 2 on 1 and she dove across and robbed our player of a sure goal. She was fantastic. We could have easily scored 10-12 instead of just 8.

Game 3: Weird rule for this game was after a player scored, they had to play with an opposite handed stick for the rest of the game. This game was the most fun, and oddly enough it was only female players that scored on me! It was pretty funny watching some of the players adjust to using the opposite side stick. The first goal on me was a nice deke on a 2 on 0. Yeah, defense both decided to change and they got the puck at our blueline. Thanks guys! We got up 2-1, and one of their girls came across the slot, and top-shelfed a backhand over my blocker. Beautiful shot. So, we were tied, but we pulled through again, and came out on top 5-2. Our best female player scored, had to turn her stick around, and still made a beauty pass to assist on one of the other goals. Insane!

All the proceeds this year went to Roger's House, a local charity named after Roger Neilson who ended his coaching career with the Ottawa Senators. Very worthy cause, and a great time. Hopefully I can do it again next year.