Ice Time!

Folks it's not even December and believe it or not, I might already be suffering a small amount of hockey burn out. No, it's true. I wasn't able to update the blog this weekend, cause it's hard to type with hockey gloves on. Let's see, Friday evening, coached Top Dog's squirt team, then had a late night game with the Highland coaches that lasted late into the wee hours of the night.

Saturday, Top Dog had his first game. Although he didn't rip the twine, as he is often want to do, he was named player of the game in a 3-1 lose. At the same time, at the same arena, but in a different rink, Snow Princess had a practice of her own... then later that night, after a rousing game of couples Bunco at some friend's house, I had a Falcons game out in New Hope. The Falcons won, 8-3 and although I netted no points in the contest, I did get into it with the opposing goal-tender, and it wasn't until after I started messing with his head that he started letting in goals. I did take 2 penalties for my transgressions, but sometimes you have to take one (or two) for the team. For more on the Falcons, check out the AHA website at www.ahahockey.com Check out the B2 pool for stats and schedule.

Sunday rolls around and again Snow Princess had early morning practice. I had the pleasure of running part of the practice and there's nothing more enjoyable than helping and watching Mites figure out the game. Many are just learning the very important aspect of hockey and that is stopping... it's a slow process, but critical as the kids are finding that crashing into the boards is not the best way to stop their momentum.

Then after the Packers destroyed da Bears and the defending Fantasy Football Champion JackRynos notched a win from the front-running Blowfish in the CHFFL (Cheesehead fantasy football league) the J-5 jumped in the minivan, headed off for Top Dog's second game of the season up in Shoreview. (about 25 minutes away) The problem, we arrived at 3:50pm, only to find out the game was NOT at 4:20, as I thought, but instead at 6:40. So we turned around, had a light dinner, only to pile back in the minivan to return to the arena a couple of hours later. 

The team played better and netted a 5-5 tie and should have had a win had it not been for a slight mental lapse with :49 seconds left to play in the game. Still scoreless on the game, Top Dog had some nice chances, and made some nice plays, but like his papa, only showed up on the stat sheet after getting a penalty for slashing. It was a bad call as it was hustle that put the play in motion. They were on a breakaway and he tracked down the shooter and stick-checked the kid, the way he's been taught by lifting the stick from underneath. Bias, but it was a bad call. He lifted the stick, which is the proper way, but used some force and I think the sound of composite stick on composite stick is what caused the call.

With all the hockey excitement, The Eldest now wants to play this year. He hasn't played organized hockey yet, but is a good skater, and indicated he now wants to play this year AND wants me to coach his team. Oh boy, more ice time. Details are sketchy as to weather I can still get him on to a team, but I'd love to see him have a sport to get into and if you haven't guessed it by now, I think hockey is one of the finest.