Coyotes vs. Immortals - 2011-11-03

I had been looking forward to the is game for a few reasons. The first being it was my first game with the Coyotes. I will be subbing for them this year, and I think I can bring some experience and speed to the team. It is my first game on the blue line where I will be playing mostly for the Coyotes. Additionally, the Coyotes were playing the Immortals, my old team.

I knew it was going to be a long game, but it went better than I had expected. I think a huge advantage for me was I was able to analyze threats better because I knew the players' skills better than I would most teams.

I had a really strong first period. I had no goals against while I was on the ice. At one point, early on, I had picked up a puck in the slot, and basically created a break away by going end to end. I was shocked no one picked me up. But I suspect that this forced the defense to respect my speed, even when I'm in my own zone with out the puck.

Part of me was a little bit shocked to see what it was like playing on the blue line. You really can control the entire game. You're responsible for making the long stretch pass, or you're responsible for just dumping the puck in the neutral zone. You can skate the puck way up with a bit of speed pushing everyone back, and so on.

I did force myself to carry the puck a little bit more than I usually do. The rest of the team wouldn't carry the puck at all. But by carrying it, I was helping myself, and the team by showing them the benefits of carrying it and how much time they had.

I had an issue with being a weaker guy on the ice. I couldn't move players from in front of the net, and I couldn't hook players down. Not having the strength made me play much differently, but I still have a lot to learn back there. But it was still a good effort, and I will keep working back there and using my strengths.

We lost 10-1. They're just a stronger team, but the Coyotes can be a solid team.

One game down, many more to go.

Piranhas First Game - 2011-01-24

I had been looking for a second team for a very long time now. At this point in the year, I felt that joining the beginner league was my best bet. I hate joining teams mid-session, especially when they’re playing well. However, a few of the guys I’ve played with in the past has had issues with players showing up to games, and were losing nearly every game. I’ve seen their team, the Piranhas, play multiple times because I do know some of them, and they’d frequently get games right after the Immortals.

Last night was my first game with them and I was one of 9 skaters, meaning lots of ice time. Unfortunately, the game was against a team in the tier above us, and they were also losing badly this season, so little mercy was shown.

I felt incredibly nervous going into the game. The Piranhas are a tier higher than the Immortals, so I knew there would be some more experienced players. But at the same time, it was calming that they were a relaxed group, and didn’t put any pressure on me. I couldn’t have asked for a better scenario for a first game. I broke another skate lock for multiple reasons. One being I tied my skates way too tight, and I really felt it in my first few shifts. I fell flat on my face 5 seconds into the game with no one around me.

I felt the first period I played average. I was a little nervous but I kept to the basics of my game, and just skated hard. I had a few plays where I had a hard time getting the puck out. I iced the puck once in a panic, which was par for that first period. I was too busy slapping the puck around instead of controlling it. The whole team was like that in the first.

In the second, after I calmed down, got my legs under me, I played a lot better. I was controlling the puck, I was making passes and getting attempts. I was able to use some explosiveness to get around the d-men a few times, but had a hard time staying in front of him as they were faster than me. Because we only had three d-men, one winger would come down lower than normal, leaving the other to cover both d-men. I actually liked that. I found it rather easy to shift back and forth, and the other forwards would recognize what was happening.

Going into the third, I was tired and out of it. When I don’t play multiple times a week, staying in playing shape is more difficult. But it was more of the same that was in the second. I tried to win some board battles and just keep playing through the game as if the score was tied.

In the end, I really couldn’t be more pleased. The team has a good attitude, takes the game serious enough to win, but not serious enough to make it “work”. I hope I get to play more games with the Piranhas, and build some confidence with them.

Immortals Game 2010-09-20

I went into this game unfocused to tell you the truth. I showed up later than normal, had to rush to get ready, tape my stick at the rink, and so on. This is something I hate doing. The Immortals have a new goalie. He’s a bit more experienced, and comes out and plays the puck more. It really helped our team use our speed a lot more, and added a lot more flow to the game.

I came out flying. I was breaking up loose plays left and right. It was the second of a back-to-back night, so it didn’t take much to get my legs under me. I only had one sub who isn’t in the best of shape, so I didn’t get too many breaks. However, when we added someone else and it resulted in more sitting for me, that’s when I got tired. At one point I was sitting for a good six minutes (with whistles and stoppages). At that point my heart slowed down, and so did I. It made me play a lot worse.

I felt that night I was better than most anyone else on the ice until I had that long stoppage. At one point I came low, picked up a puck in my own zone. I had one guy pressuring me and I panicked and iced the puck. I was furious at that point. I had no idea what I was doing. Why did I ice it? I could have gone around, passed to the center, banked it off the boards – done so much more than ice it.

At one point we were on the power play. I still have to get better at what to do out there. I was set up along the half boards. I didn’t have a good shot, but I could see the other winger’s stick right there in the crease. With no pressure on me, and no shot, I decided I was going to put it on his stick. I fired it right at his stick and it went past the two d-men, right on his stick but it wasn’t square and popped up on him.

I had one assist off a rebound from my shot, but other than that I didn’t show up on the score sheet.

Immortals Game 2010-09-15

I went into the game in a relaxed mood. I was looking to take it easy, and not be overly aggressive like my last handful of games. It was probably the best ice I’ve been on in a few months, but that could be because it is starting to get less humid out.

Early on I was winded, which is somewhat strange as I had plenty of people rotating on my position. I attribute it to not very many games lately. So I slowed down, played my game. My stick handling and shooting were bad all night I think. I had plenty of chances to just hammer someone down, but with my last handful of performances, it was probably good that I didn’t.

I feel offensively, I played an above average game. I had two assist and a goal. The assist came first. While standing in front of the net, the shooter shot, it deflected off my skate and the other winger was able to pick up the rebound and put it home. The goal was similar. The goalie left a big fat rebound to my left. He sprawled out to cover but I picked it up, took it as far as I could to my right and put it in.

I should have had three goals though. I missed empty nets quite a few times because the goalie came way out and mishandled the puck. I think I made one bad pass. I was patient in the corner, and I saw the center in the slot. I wasn’t pressured at all but I put it through a few defenders sticks, right to my center. Unfortunately, he missed the pass and it went right to the d-man.

We lost 9-4, and I was even for the night. Me on the power play was really bad. I need to learn that two minutes is a very long time and to calm down and relax.

This was a good warm up game for the Goaldiggers game on Sunday, followed by another Immortals game the next Monday. It should make the back to back easier.

Immortals Game 2010-08-11 - Playing Center

Wednesday night was my first night back with the Immortals in some time. With school and the Goaldiggers' playoffs, it became difficult to keep up. I missed a game and a few practices. It felt longer.

I was pumped going into the game. I also went back to my pre-game routine from a few months ago as closely as I could. I laced them up, went out there for my pregame skate, felt good. I was playing center tonight, inspired to make a difference, and to be an example.

I'm not sure I did that. I played hard. I raced to every loose puck and won well more than my share of the battles. I also had to be aware of what was going on as we had a few guys playing out of position - myself being one of them.

I hate playing center for one reason. Face-offs. I can't do it. I really need a lot of work on it. I won maybe 20% of the draws all night. I'd try and roll my wrists and pull it back to the defensemen. I tried to turn into it to get a better angle. I don't know if it was bad timing, or if I'm just not that strong. Either way, I'll be consulting some of the better centers I play with for some tips on the draw.

Other than that, center is a great position for me at this level. I can skate as much as I want, I've got a ton of space to cover, I enjoy playing defense a little bit and digging into the corners, and I'm fairly decent at just tapping the puck to slow it down or disrupt the play. I'm not known for goal scoring, and I have a tendency to just out work players, even though I'm frequently smaller than them.

I have a ton of thoughts on this game. May as well break them up a little.

Team Jerseys

Jerseys are something that I take great pride in. If you look in my closet, you’ll find a ton of NHL jerseys. I take very good care of them but I do wear them regularly. The problem is that they’re expensive. And that also comes down to the amateur level.

The Immortals are getting white jerseys, and I’ve offered to do a majority of the legwork on them. There isn’t a clear consensus on what the team wants, but the most common request is something cheaper. I like this. While the thrill of wearing a jersey that matches your team is great, really – it can get overly expensive. When you can pay $35 for a jersey with your logo, name and number on it, and pay $80 for a jersey with the same, just nicer quality, is the difference worth $45? To me, I rather take that $45 and spend it on some equipment. It doesn’t matter if I wear a $10 practice jersey, or a $300 authentic NHL jersey, I’m going to play the same. As long as I can identify who is and isn’t on my team, I’m fine.

I feel that the cheap mesh jerseys last just as long as the nice air knit jerseys. So really, it is nothing but a financial choice. I’m curious as to how others feel about their teams’ jerseys and what is ideal for them.