A Year in Hockey... I hope. Part Thirteen.

Last night was the last Learn to Play Hockey session at DU.  We're not getting a makeup, but they extended our punch cards for public skate and stick and puck a few extra weeks.  I'm going to take advantage of that on Friday, I think.

We did shooting last night, and everyone was really into it.  We worked on wrist shots, which I can do to a somewhat decent degree, and slapshots, which I'm absolute rubbish at.  I put the puck on the net about three times out of my twelve shots.  For someone who's never really shot unless I'm standing still, I'm not displeased.  Plus it was the first time I shot a puck on a goalie- we only had one last night.  The drills included puck handling around cones and the circles.  That is something I definitely need to work on.  The highlight of my night was my last slapshot.  I was shooting on the goalie and decided to 'just go for it'.  I did the puck handle deal around the circle pretty well, and then went down the ice.  I gave the puck a little push to keep up its momentum and wound up for my shot.  I got the shot off, to the right of the net, and then flew onto the ice in a spectacular belly flop!  I've always wanted to do that.  I got up and raised my hands in celebration.  The goalie did the same and said it should have been a goal.  

The scrimmage was another full class game, and I ended up on the light team.  The light sweaters were outnumbered, so our instructor put the two red sweaters with the white team.  I think I played the best I ever had.  I ended up on defense most of the time- not by choice, but that's how the rotation went.  I think I was able to help out a few times, including helping stop a breakaway.   On the 'never done that before' front, I went over the boards for the first time.  It's not as hard as it looks.  

I also got to play on the wing a couple of times.  It's decided-that's what I want to do.  Playing with better players gave me an opportunity to get into the offensive play a couple of times and in the surprise of the night- I got an assist!  It was awesome!  I took the puck away from a defenseman at our blue line and went down the right wall.  I heard someone shout 'Center!', looked up and saw one of my team going right up the middle.  I passed the puck right to him and he scored.  It was brilliant!  

The takeaway from this minicamp?   I can do this!  I need to work on the fundamentals- skating, puck handling and shooting, and get more comfortable with the flow of a real game, but I can do this.  The main thing I need to do is get on the ice more often- both public skate and stick and puck- to practice and practice some more.  I'm also planning to attend an Old-timers league camp in September.  From the description, it's more of a basic skills class..  all for players over 40. Then it's onto a league!