He Shoots. . . He Scores!
Despite my inability to stick handle well/skate, I posted my first goal in the 3rd game of my hockey league. I wish I had some story of going coast to coast and then giving the goalie the 'triple deke', but it didn't happen that way.
Regardless, I shall remember this moment for some time to come.
A scuffle along the boards led to the puck being kicked free behind the net. It was then centered roughly fifteen feet in front of the goalie and someone took a whack at it. The shot was high, but caught the opposing team's tall (and at times awkward) goaltender square in the face. The puck bounced out and after a quick bounce I backhanded the knuckling puck (clipping the crossbar) into the top-right corner of the net over the goalie's left shoulder. Cue Van Halen's Panama. With raised stick, I looked for someone to embrace, but as I circled to my left I found no one. Antonellis came streaking from his spot at Right D and nearly took me off my feet (more of a testament to my poor balance than the force of the collision) and festive celebration ensued, as my linemates know that a goal by me is a rare occurrence indeed.
Although I am still (probably) technically the worst player in our league, I understand the game of hockey well enough that I am no longer a burden to the team. Most people who look to take the puck up every time and make something happen, I, instead, am happy to control the puck, slow down the game, and look for a nice breakout pass. And apparently, a big beast like me is good for both occupying defenders/screening by parking it in front of the goal, and making room and space to get to rebounds.
Anyway, we pulled our first fan base of the year with 2 disappointed looking friends cheering from the sidelines. Hopefully our fame will grow.
Oh, and we lost the game.
Team Stinger's 1-2-0.
Regardless, I shall remember this moment for some time to come.
A scuffle along the boards led to the puck being kicked free behind the net. It was then centered roughly fifteen feet in front of the goalie and someone took a whack at it. The shot was high, but caught the opposing team's tall (and at times awkward) goaltender square in the face. The puck bounced out and after a quick bounce I backhanded the knuckling puck (clipping the crossbar) into the top-right corner of the net over the goalie's left shoulder. Cue Van Halen's Panama. With raised stick, I looked for someone to embrace, but as I circled to my left I found no one. Antonellis came streaking from his spot at Right D and nearly took me off my feet (more of a testament to my poor balance than the force of the collision) and festive celebration ensued, as my linemates know that a goal by me is a rare occurrence indeed.
Although I am still (probably) technically the worst player in our league, I understand the game of hockey well enough that I am no longer a burden to the team. Most people who look to take the puck up every time and make something happen, I, instead, am happy to control the puck, slow down the game, and look for a nice breakout pass. And apparently, a big beast like me is good for both occupying defenders/screening by parking it in front of the goal, and making room and space to get to rebounds.
Anyway, we pulled our first fan base of the year with 2 disappointed looking friends cheering from the sidelines. Hopefully our fame will grow.
Oh, and we lost the game.
Team Stinger's 1-2-0.
posted by Jamson at 1:07 PM
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