Am I a target?

A few weeks ago, a player asked me if I felt I was more of a target for hits because I was a smaller guy on the ice. A year ago, my answer would have been yes, without a doubt. Today, I don't know. So what has changed in that year?

Honestly, nothing has changed. I don't know if I felt I was a target or not back then, or if I am now. Only once or twice did I take a hit where I felt the opponent's eyes were lit up. Considering I play in no check leagues, this shouldn't happen.

But to be honest, usually the hits I take don't bother me. I love being thrown around once in a while. I think that is part of the game. I think that I play better when there is some physicality in the game. Maybe I feel more alert, maybe I play more wreckless. I don't know.

I'll be the first person to say that I will throw hits out there because I am smaller. I know I can get away with significantly more than someone who is 100 pounds heavier than I am. Only once or twice did I do something that I felt was dirty for my league. I never hurt anyone, but afterward I felt immediate remorse each time. I've never taken a penalty for checking, but I have for boarding, and one for charging. The charging penalty I felt was a good call, but it saved a goal against, and I'd make that play every damn time. The boarding penalty was one of those "What am I doing?" moments.

So am I a target? Probably not. Some of the guys I play with think I am target. I do cause the opposition to take more penalties against me than other players (of my skill). I like to think that I'm a clean player, and as a result players play clean against me. I'm never involved in shoving post whistle, and I never talk negatively to an official who officiates my games because for the most part they do an excellent job of keeping everything in control.

Piranhas First Game - 2011-03-01

I went into this Piranhas game pumped and ready to go. The team needed a win, it was a beatable team, and the one team I've played against more than any other over the past 2 years.

It turned out to be probably the best game I've played. I felt a step quicker than 90% of the players on the ice. I felt I could see plays developing and knowing where to be. What also helps is I'm playing with players who are similarly skilled, and I'm learning their tendencies. There is no star player on the team, and as I play with them more and more, I feel comfortable with them.

My passing I think was outstanding. There were a few times where I put the puck right on the tape of my line mates. There was one or two brilliant passes on a rush where I read the defender and was able to patiently wait and go through him while he was off balance. Unfortunately, line mates couldn't convert, but they were great chances. There was also one penalty kill for probably 45 seconds we kept the puck in their zone with just good passing and puck control. I think that's one area that showed in my game last night that I never have, and that is patience and control with the puck. Too often, I panic, or worry that I'm going to lose it so I just throw it away. Not the best move. Last night was a different story. I was able to go into traffic a little bit and generate scoring chances.

I had three or four outstanding scoring chances, but only converted on one. And they were all very similar. One pass to me went right through the crease, I caught it and because of the speed, I had to just fire it as hard as I could at the net before the goalie got over. The goalie made a solid glove save and denied me. The next chance came on a 2 on 1, with me as the trailer. My teammate shot it, it hit the goalies pads, and left a big rebound. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a stick on it to put it into a wide open net. The third chance was me at the half boards. I had the puck with really no solid passing options for the forwards so I just launched it at the goalie. The defensemen froze, I went around, picked up the rebound and put it into the net. Later on in the third, I'd have a wrap around chance, but it was kind of tough for me because I was on my backhand, and there were a lot of bodies and sticks right in front. It almost went in, but the chances of it going in were better than if I were to pass it off.

My fore-check I think really caused a lot of problems for the defensemen. Their forwards were not moving at all, and it really caused a lot of turnovers and scoring chances for us. I'm probably the most aggressive at fore checking of anyone I've played with for a variety of reasons. The biggest being at this level, players will rush stupid passes. I also believe that the momentum that I build up from skating will help me back check a lot quicker than others.

I've got to get better in two areas though. Along the boards, and my balance. I felt that a lot of times, especially if I was playing right wing, when the d-man would throw the puck up the boards that It would go right past me and I couldn't gain control. That means I don't get any control on the puck, and worse, we don't clear the zone. Balance - I skate as hard as I can but once someone just gives me a little tap, I have a hard time compensating for that force and end up off balance and out of control for a second or two. It happened more than once last night. I've seen that over the past few games, that nearly everyone is bigger than me, making it a lot easier for them against me, so balance would go far.

Even though I played well, and had a goal, I'm pissed off we lost. I hate losing to that team, and I want the Piranhas to get a victory. I think it would really help the mentality of the team.

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.

Replacement Lace Locks for RBK skates

A few weeks ago I broke the lace lock on my RBK 9K skates. This caused me to wrap the lace around my ankle that night, and then use a shorter lace until the new piece came in. Not a big deal, but I've grown to really like the lace lock because you can make the lower laces a different tightness than the top of the laces.

The hardest part is finding the replacement lace lock, and I found it for you. I found it at a small site called Hockey Boss. Aside from the extra charges for a shirt disguised as shipping and handling, I couldn't be more pleased with their store. They shipped it very quickly, and will put them on my list of sites to check regularly when I need new equipment.

Replacing it was just as simple as you'd think. Unscrew, remove, insert, screw back in. The problem is I couldn't find anywhere or any site that would show instructions on it. As long as you can use a screw driver, you're set.

Goaldiggers Playoffs - Semi-Finals - 2010-12-20

Second night in a row of Goaldigger hockey - very intense hockey at a higher level. I made some quick skate changes after last game because I broke the lace lock, but that's a different post.

Last game I felt that our d-men pinched way too much - but that is our team's game. This game made yesterday's game less extreme. We were short staffed on the blue line, and still they continued to jump up. At the same time, even by bringing it up with speed, we as a team had a hard time keeping the puck in our own zone.

Me, I didn't make too much of a difference in the game. I worked harder this game than the night before, and got my nose dirty a little bit in the corners. I had won a small battle in the neutral zone to keep the puck in their end, but with the size and skill of the guys against me, it is no surprise that the entire team was prepared for me to lose the battle.

I had another battle in the same spot almost that resulted in me putting a player on his wallet, but I still lost the battle to another guy who came in and helped.

My passing and recognition is getting better. Last night I was able to recognize the other winger streaking up the middle towards the end of my shift. There was a player between us but I could see how he was balanced and had a good opening between his feet and stick. I was able to slide it between him, and put it slightly ahead of my team mate. Unfortunately, it was a bit too far out ahead.

My main goal tonight was to go out, and skate hard every shift, and make some more contact with the opponent. I feel I did just that, so I guess it was a good game for me, despite the fact that I felt mostly invisible. The one thing I did forget though is that when you're skating hard, at the end of your shift, you're going to lose any battle to a fresh guy, despite their talent level. Line changes need to be fast and frequent, and I needed to be better about that.

The Goaldiggers lost the game and were eliminated from the playoffs. They just weren't a more talented team than the group of players we played against. Players from both side lost their composure at times, and they had better legs, and more talent. The team as a whole played well.

Just have to prepare for next season - which starts in like 2-3 weeks.

Goaldiggers playoff game - 2010-12-19

Quarter finals for the Goaldiggers in the playoffs tonight, and the game started early, at 8:10. Strange for me playing that early but I’ll take it. I show up a few minutes later than I would have liked. I guess it is a side effect from living closer to the rink, because I did it last week too.
Our opponents tonight have been familiar to us. A handful of our players played with some of them years ago, and we played them last year in the playoffs as well. They are a chippy team, and very hard working. We’d have to work hard, and keep our cool. My first shift on the ice, a defensemen pinched in, and I covered for them. They came back but it still led to a 2 on 2 against us, and I felt had I back checked harder, I could have prevented the first goal of the game. It really is deflating to let a goal in on your first shift, especially when there are guys who haven’t even seen the ice yet.
Later in the period, I tried to make up for it by working harder and did a half assed job at a board battle. I refused to go in against two opponents against the board. Instead, I stayed three feet away from the boards trying to work the puck out. That is just lazy in my opinion, and it doesn’t give you a good chance. Yeah, you have more control of your stick, but you lose the ability to use your feet to move the puck. I need to go in, and make some contact with the opponents to move the puck, and stop being afraid.
Still down by one, I again covered for a pinching d-man. The puck got around me and I didn’t skate full speed to recover it. As a result, the opponent chased it all the way down with me. And as a result, I had to crash into the boards to get to the puck. Had I skated hard the whole time, the opponent wouldn’t have had a chance. Either way, I still won the puck. The problem is it remained in play. I threw it around the boards, and some how it came down to the slot. Unfortunately, I again didn’t skate hard enough to cover him and the center was able to chip it in. The second goal I felt was my fault. While it was frustrating, I still tried to play shift to shift, and tried to make the best of it. The problem is, this time, when I crashed into the boards trying to recover the puck, I went funny into the boards. It was a lot like when I hyper extended my knee, where I spun around really fast with all of my weight on one foot. Luckily it only “shocked” my ankle, and it only bothered me for another shift or two.
In the second period, I played more of a solid period effort wise and results wise. We were still down by one. At one point, I found myself skating too hard, and found myself below the goal line. I’m a winger! Why am I under the goal line in my own zone!? I hustled back up to the point and luckily I wasn’t burned. I kept coming down too low tonight, but after I noticed this, I did a better job of just covering my man. It was a good thing too. Towards the end of the second, I got the puck at the top of the faceoff circle in my own zone. Normally I would play it safe and just try and chip it out of our zone. But I had time. I didn’t panic. I skated with it, and was able to get past the first d-man. The second d-man caught me at the red line, and was able to disrupt the break out, but still, I would never have dreamed of even trying that even 4 months ago. I’m gaining confidence with the puck.
It reminds me of something I was told very early when I started playing on ice. Look! Don’t just throw the puck away. You’ve probably got more time than you think. It is better to lose the puck in a fight, than it is to just throw it and give it to the opposition.
In the third, we were still down by one. I’m getting pretty nervous about losing the game, and the d-man keep jumping in to the play. Again, I’m on the blue line, covering for a d-man who went in on the rush. Then I noticed the other d-man went into the play as well. Why is the winger the only one standing on the blue line? Oh well. The puck came out to the blue line and I just flipped it on net. I don’t have a big shot, and I was somewhat off balance (like always) so it was stopped well before it got to the net. It didn’t bother me because when I play defense, the only thing I care about is keeping the puck as far away from my goal as possible. I stayed on the blue line as the other four skaters were working very well in generating chances. The one d-man came back out and played on the right side, so I was able to shift over to the left. The opponent tried to flip it out, but I was able to stop it, take a look and give it to the left winger. It ultimately lead to the goal that would tie the game.
The team would go on to win the game. I think everyone had a big part in the win tonight, from the talented guys with big shots, to the guys still lucky to stay balanced on their skates like me. I felt though that my effort wasn’t all there tonight until late in the second. I had no points, but in theory helped out on a few goals I kept it in on the blue line, I screened a goalie, but I also was partially responsible for a few goals going in on our own night. I walked way with bumps and bruises, and I’ll be feeling it going into the next game which is tomorrow, but I still have to be better. I have to keep balance but most of all, I have to give it my all on every shift.

Goaldiggers playoff game - 2010-12-15

It had been like three weeks since the Goaldiggers’ last game. The league just had a crappy schedule. There was a lot of confusion about our tie for second place and who we’d be playing in the first round, but because of tie breakers, we finished a lot lower than 2nd.

I felt really confident with the game because they were a team I played before, and I had a lot of ice time recently. The first two shifts I felt a lot slower than I thought I’d be. Perhaps the skill level was higher than I had been used to over the past three weeks, but that is ok. I kept composure and played my best. The third or fourth shift, a rebound went in the corner and I was able to pick it up in the opponents zone. For some reason, I didn’t panic. I had confidence and examined my options. The center and d-man came to close in. I saw the point open. I turned, gave him a nice pass to walk into and he one timed it to make it 1-0. Up to this point, I really felt that the opponent had the upper hand.

The next couple of shifts, I still took my time and was patient. For the first four goals of the game, I was on the ice for all of them. The problem was, I felt like I had a part in the two opponent’s goals. The defensemen went up, and I stayed up high covering for him. Unfortunately, my skating is still not very strong, and I blew coverage twice because of it and it lead to goals.

At one point in the second, I was in the slot with a puck just drifting towards me. It was behind me, and I tried to cradle it and shoot, but my balance was bad and if I were to move my stick, I’d fall. It was a bad feeling. Those are the ones that drive me nuts.

In the third, again in the slot, the center threw me a pass from the corner and I was able to onetime it. It was a great shot, and I’m impressed I got as much power behind it as I did. I miss one timers a lot, so it felt good to connect. Anyway, it was blocked by a defenseman and didn’t make it to the net. Good chance, right idea.

With five or six minutes left, we were only up by one. Kind of concerning to me, but I knew that the team was a little rusty as we were clearly better than the other team. At some point the flood gates just opened and our team went on a tear, and it became 7-3. There was a two on one, the puck came over to me, I stopped the goalie went down and I lifted it over his shoulder to make it 8-3. My third goal for the Goaldiggers. Felt nice to have everyone congratulate me afterward.

One assist and one goal on the night.