Captain’s Courageous

We traveled north on Saturday into one of the snowiest places in New York; The famous Ontario snow belt makes direct impact into this area almost everyday during the winter. I’ve spent years driving back and forth through this area and have become quite accustomed to the driving conditions. Since the snow belt also drifts down towards our home there’s always a chance you’ll run into some serious snow on your way to a game. We were lucky, the Snowbelt had drifted farther north and made for an easy drive. The first period caught us asleep at the wheel. Passing was weak, and it looked like no one could stay on their edge. I had hoped to start the game like we normally do by setting the pace very high. Our speed has been a huge key to our success. Fast skating, shooting and passing is what we plan on, but this game wasn’t going to go very well if we didn’t refocus and come out in the second period playing the game we have been working on all season. We turned the wick up during the second period and pressured the puck very successfully. Everyone worked hard, I mean everyone. That’s what we needed to go on to win., and we did. The best part of the game was that everyone stepped up after a lack luster first period. Teamwork continues to move us forward. Sunday’s second game of the weekend ended with another win, but we spent most of the game mixing things up and trying players out at different positions and on different lines. Our Sunday opponent was not one of the stronger teams we have faced, but I did see that they had some good players. They had some good runs at us, but they did not seem to work together well as a team. It wasn’t that long ago that we were in the same boat. The teams we have faced so far do not seem that different from us when comparing individual player’s skill. We have worked on puck movement, speed, and most importantly teamwork. So far almost every team has out checked us, if you compare the volume of hits, but then you have to figure in the fact that most hits have been unsuccessful. We still seem to hang on to the puck even when taking a check. We have players that can check pretty good, but it’s been the poke check that has worked the best for us. Sometimes it doesn’t take that much to take the puck away from a player. That little bit of extra speed when racing to the puck and the net is also making a big impact on our game, but it takes hard work to get that speed. Once again I see our practices to be critical in advancing our game. The biggest factor has been heart. Yesterday our captain played one of the most inspiring shifts I have seen all season. I asked him to hang onto the puck until he had a shot on goal. That was the deal, “No matter what it takes, keep that puck the minute it touches your stick and take it all the way to the net.” I wanted to see if he would and could do it.” I don’t care how many players are covering you, get through with the puck.” He did it, and it was something to see, then he lost his stick and kept on the puck with his skates. The whole team watched, and got the message. 100% every second on the ice. I want them to pass, and sometimes I want to see them hang onto the puck. This isn’t easy, but who said it would be? This team has lot of character, and each player brings something different to the game. As usual the Rocket was flying up and down the ice, he sets the bar pretty high, but now the rest are following his lead. With Cam our captain, the Rocket, our great goalies, powerful defense, and sneaky offense, we have put together a pretty formidable team. We’ve come a long way, but there is still a long way to go.