Monday, December 1, 2008

HOCKEY: Blue vs. Red

Well, after filling up on a Thanksgiving ham, I drove to Blaine so that I could embarrass myself again on skates. If you don’t know yet, I joined an adult hockey league and play in Blaine on Saturday nights as often as I can (this will be game 2). The team that I play on is the “Blue” team. I walked in the rink to sign in and there was Josh waiting. Ryan (Cartman) Taylor was also there. He brought an extra jersey for me, which was pretty cool that he thought of doing that. I already got my own by then though (Thanks Ryan!)

We were supposed to be paired up with Red that night but Blue and Red had enough to skate on their own. Little did I know that Red was the best in the league thus far. Not one of them were older than 24. Some played on college teams and there were even three brothers there that have played with each other for years. I was nervous…still can’t stop so well (that will come though).

We practiced for about 15 minutes, and then started our hour long scrimmage. Red was fast and they passed pretty well. Josh was in the net for the Blue team. He did awesome…was just peppered by pucks left and right. We did okay out there, no thanks to me. I had a couple good plays. I am still learning, right? After about 20 some goals, the Red team was STILL doing a celebration after each one (really?). It was just too bad that Ryan couldn’t have played goal for us (he helped a team that was short that night) so Josh could have skated out. Oh, yeah, and if Stein wasn’t on a booty-call… we could have given them some more competition.

It was my first opportunity to wear the new equipment I got. Still have a couple more items to get though… all in good time. It is a whole lot better wearing your own stuff though. Even with all my new stuff, I ended up getting a real nice, black, purple, bluish-green, palm-sized contusion on my left, upper arm after getting slammed into the boards on one occasion. You don’t notice it when it happens, but you can now. All in all, Saturday night was another good night of hockey. Well, any night with hockey is a good night, right?

Monday, November 17, 2008

Hockey at 36?

Hockey at 36 years old? Not only that but to basically start playing for the first time ever. Yep, I did it. I joined an adult hockey fun league...the BLUE team. A friend of mine got me interested in it by talking it up. He said that it is just for fun and a chance to get better at it. Of course I am not good at all. The last time I was on skates was about 4-5 years ago with another buddy playing some pond hockey pick up with about eight people.

Nevertheless, I strapped on some skates on Saturday night and put on some browed gear. It was the first time that I have ever had that much equipment on. I stepped out on the ice with an old Sher-wood and pushed off. We practiced for about 10 minutes and then it was game time. It was a lot of fun. I admit, I was very tired and now soar. But I can't wait for the next game.

So I'm not an all-star skater or have quick hockey like reflexes (or ever will)...but it is fun and I can only get better. So thanks to a friend, Josh Welch and another bud Anthony Stein for getting me out there. I appreciate it Josh.

Signing off for now, dt