And that's a season!

We played, as it turned out, our last game of the Big Bear Winter 2014 D4 season last night.  We only had one round of playoffs.  With only four teams, we all got to play.  We played Low Down Dirty Shame again, and I think I can safely say- I hate this team.  They are good, maybe too good for D4, but they also play a dirty game.  They slash, trip, hack, and board all night.  They also dive all over the ice.  We played with the same situation as last week- we spent a load of time in the box, and they didn't get called for anything- including an egregious pull down of Ryan at the end of the game.

Different from last week- and all our games with these guys- we really gave them a tough game.  They scored the first two goals in the first, and we got one as well.  In the second, we were able to tie it up and it was a tie as we started the third.  The horrible officiating put us on the power kill a few times in the third, and they scored two more before it was over.  I think we went to the box six times to their two, and one of theirs was a matching minor that left it 5 on 5.  My last shift was another first for me, the sixth man when we pulled our goalie.  I admit, I was a little confused.  I also accidentally jumped on the bench on the wrong side of the blue line in a change and caused us to be offside at one point.  I don't think I'll ever stop learning the nuances.

As far as my play- I think I really did pretty well, considering I was having skate issues through the first period.  I pressed in the offensive zone and ended up in the corners and in front of the net on each shift- contributing pretty well, including a centering pass that nearly made it to Ryan in front of the net.  On defense, I was able to play the spoiler more than once, and I may have saved a shot that could have scored.

I was probably more disappointed than I've ever been after a game.  Mainly it was because we really pulled it together and played tough smart hockey right off the first face-off.  We didn't make dumb mistakes and everyone kept their cool.  It was a great game, and a hard loss.  Realty Source also lost, so what ever happens in the final, we finished in third place.  It was also the realization that the team that comes back in a couple of weeks is going to be different.  Justin and Ryan will not be playing with us, and Ben may not either.  I really enjoyed playing on lines with Justin and Ryan, and they always gave me great advice and encouragement.  Luckily, I'm now in the loop for drop in and pick up, so I'll see them again. 

My quest.. as it was originally set out... is over.  I went from barely getting around Evergreen Lake to playing a season in a beer league in a year.  I can't wait for the next year in hockey! 

Crap!

We had our last regular season game on Wednesday.  Of all the losses we’ve had this season, that one was the hardest.  We couldn’t get a break at all.  Calls went against us all night, and some of the boys felt that we scored twice- the ref saw differently.  Some of our better players had loads of chances, but we couldn’t get anything past the Low Down goalie.  I even got into a whack’a’puck match in front of the net.  I don’t think the goalie ever had real control of the puck, but play was whistled dead.  The bad blood was there all night, but everyone kept their cool.

I was really pleased that Alisha got to see the game, though!  She had some advice on how to improve my game, as well- I need to work on speed and committing to the play more- I was a little hesitant in a few situations, where I could have been more useful.  She also got some pictures at my request.  

We have at least one more game- the first round of the playoffs.  We finished in third place overall- tied with Realty Source in points, but edging them out on GA differential.  We play on the 18^th, and we go against Low Down Dirty Shame again.  It should be interesting… I’m a little bummed out, because of having to miss the AVs game.  Alisha is taking Sam and a couple of our friends.   It’s my first playoff game, though, and I’ll get to see the AVs play again soon.  

Pick up wipes me out...

A few of the guys on the Icemen- Justin, Ryan, and Jeff- also play on a team in another league called Puck Dynasty.  Ryan set up a practice and scrimmage for them last night and had a few open spots, so the 2 Mikes, Dwight, Ben, a couple of other guys they play with, and I joined them.  We played at Joy Burns arena.  We had 90 minutes of ice, starting at 9.15, so the plan was to do 30 minutes of drills and 60 minutes of scrimmage.  When we got to the arena, there was a game going on.  At 8.30 the game was only in the middle of the 2nd period.  About 5 minutes into the 3rd period there was a fracas in front of the net we were all standing behind.  A couple of guys went to the box, but the discussion... about whatever... took forever.  We ended up starting closer to 10 then 9.

We ran a couple of breakout drills, which were pretty damn good, and frankly probably the most important thing we can work on- as teammates- in our league.  Then we broke into teams for a scrimmage.  Since it was a Puck Dynasty  practice, and they wear black and orange sweaters, we Icemen and couple of PDs wore light sweaters.  There were about 20 of us, so it was 10 a side.  Because we only had two defensemen, we decided to go drop in style... which was tough.  With half the team on the ice and the other half on the bench, we were rotating really fast.  Too fast for a fat 46 year old beginner... We finished up at about 11.30, which couldn't come quick enough for me.  That said, it was fun and valuable and I hope to do it again. Oh, I put a slight tear in my pants...  which somehow makes me feel a little more legit.  Weird, huh?

In Icemen news, Big Bear got their shit together and corrected the scores and standings.  We're in 3rd place right now, tied on points with Realty Source, with goal differential giving us a slight lead.  Our last regular season game is on Wednesday against Low Down Dirty Shame.  They're the only team we haven't beat and the team we had all the bad blood with a few weeks ago.  Regardless, I really hope that we end up playing the first game in the playoffs on the 17th, because we have tickets for the Avalanche on the 18th.  I've already decided to skip the AVs game if we play on the 18th, though.  First season is almost in the books! 

Some bad news and some good news...

We'll start with the bad.  The score from last weeks game is incorrect...  well, it's correct, but who ever entered it into the rink software flipped the numbers.  We lost 2-11.  The eleventh goal was disputed though- most of the team thinks it went in after the buzzer.  We have more fun complaining about the rink management.

The good news is we won last night!  A solid hard win, against Realty Source.  We had quite a few players missing, so we went with three full lines and two defensive pairings- until D-man Mike got hurt sliding into the boards with his shoulder.  I got a lot of ice time , and I continue to skate pretty well, make a few offensive chips and generally get in the way on defense- although with less and less 'oops'- which is cool. I even almost had a offensive rush straight to the goal, but I screwed up and slowed down a bit, and the center I was playing with, Justin, ended up crossing the blue line before me.  Damn. 

The final score was 4-2.  Our first goal was scored on a penalty shot- which was the first I've seen in a game and not to break a tie.  I was playing on a line with Justin and Mike, which was loads of fun, because Justin is a great player and Mike can really skate and always puts the puck in the right place.  We were all heading up the ice, when Justin was blatantly pulled down from behind.  He scored easily.  He had a second goal as well.  Our other two goals were scored by the other center I played on a line with, Ben.  His last one was a beaut!  Mike was talking about it in the dressing room.  He was on the left wing while Ben made his move and said he just watched astounded, and if there had been a rebound, he would have been totally lost as to what to do. 

We have one regular season game left, then at least one round of the playoffs- a single elimination deal.  Some of us are going to practice and scrimmage on Sunday at DU.  I've already confirmed I'll be back as an Iceman for the Spring season!