Just found out our team got bumped up at division after our opening night win of 8-1.
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Just found out our team got bumped up at division after our opening night win of 8-1.
yay?Quote:
Originally Posted by beedee
Very yay!Quote:
Originally Posted by Nyssa42
I was bummed that we weren't moved up in the first place. This would have been the teams 3rd season in the lower Copper division. We went 11-4-1 last season and had the best record of the teams that started and finished in the division last season. I'm looking forward to much more action in goal!
My favorite thing lately is creating loose pucks when the opponent has possession. Last game, I was able to convert a couple of these into clean possession, but most of the time, it ended up with about four of us scrambling, trying to find the puck in our feet. For some reason, I find this hilarious.
Puck in the feet in non checking leagues tends towards a lot of chaos, best recommendation is to watch mite practices. They usually do a drill or too without sticks and you'd be surprised how much it helps to just get your butt out and stay patient in those situations.Quote:
Originally Posted by LetTigerIn
On Wednesday night I received an email stating I was selected to play in the 2016 Lakewood Ice Adult League All-Star game, I was pretty jazzed! Each team in Rookie and Copper was to select 2 players to represent their respective teams, and the league would choose the goalies. I was selected out of 20 teams! The league selected 4 goalies, two for each team. I was there representing my Copper team!
Here is the flyer:
https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...25622013_o.jpg
The other goalie for our team never showed up, so I was playing the entire game. No biggie, although I was looking forward to just playing half of it and competing in the breakaway skills competition. The other team had two goalies, and they each played 1.5 periods, and also split the breakaway skills competition. The game had a pretty fast pace, as it mixed all of the Copper levels and there were clearly a handful of sandbaggers that should be playing in the Gold division, how they aren't is beyond me, then again, nothing surprises me with this place (or most leagues for that matter). Anyhow, I had a shutout in the first period, and we were up 4-0 after 1. I gave up 3 in the second period, the first one was whacked out of the air by the ringer, I deflected a pass from the corner that was coming to the slot with my paddle, it went up in the air about 2 feet and as it was coming down, he took a backhand swing and it went in, I have video of this and will upload later. The second goal was a great top corner snipe through a screen, couldn't see it at all, third goal was a nice back-hander top glove by the ringer. I gave up for in the 3rd, our defense was non-existent, even my dad texted me after the game saying that I should thank them (sarcasm) for allowing the other team back in the game. It really was nuts of how bad they got. Two of the goals were on me, one short side goal, and a bad top corner over my left shoulder as I was in reverse VH on the left post. There wasn't much room at all, so I suppose it was a great shot? We ended up winning 10-7, and I won the goalie portion of the shootout competition, only allowing 2 goals on 12 attempts. Each skater had 3 attempts in rapid succession, basically skating in the first puck from the blue line, taking a shot then hustling back to the blue line to get the next puck, shot, then repeat. I was getting pretty gassed as it was non-stop, and again I was the only goalie for our team.
All in all it was a lot of fun, I really dig the faster paced game. As seen on the flyer, they did do player introductions, a national anthem and we had some bomb post-game bbq catered. I was given a signed John Gibson Ducks puck, and a nice The Rinks pint glass for winning the goalie portion of the shootout competition.
Here are a couple pix of the locker room. It was cool, they had our jerseys hanging with a hat from Teemu's brand, "Aufeis", and "name-plates". They also had a big bucket full of waters and beers for us in the middle.
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps73jjljrb.jpg
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p...psklbyjopd.jpg
I didn't play in our regular beer league game on Saturday as we were in Big Bear, but I saw the scoresheet and we lost, 5-2.
Video of the mid-air goal scored on me. :(
So, I decided to join a league after not playing in a league for like 12 years. The "beginner" level at LAKings Valley Ice Center in Panorama City....closest rink to my house and the games are on convenient nights for me. I did not know it is all 4 on 4. That's fine because we only have like 10 people on our team, BUT I have no idea where to stand for faceoffs!! I played D tonight. Did pretty well. We had one pure beginner on our team. He did really well. The rest were all "returners" and better than total beginner players. Anyway, we won....I think it was 6-2....the scoreboard on the smaller rink does not work properly...it shows the score as .7 to ? for the whole game. At least the clock works. Pretty sure I got an assist on our last goal. Looking forward to our next game next week!!
Well we got eliminated from the playoffs last night. Hell of a season for a team that's never played together before!
Got rekt tonight, 7-1.
Does anyone know of any teams looking for players in Westminster, Lakewood, or Anaheim? I am looking for a team to join or sub on.
I gave ya that info yesterday on ModSquadHOckey. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by andrews
HAHA I know but someone recommended this forum as well. I have reached out to all the numbers I could but havent been able to get a hold of anyone.
That doesn't surprise me. When I was looking for a team at Westminster I had zero luck. And then when Rick finally replied to me, he told me to come out to the "draft skate" at Anaheim, which was suppose to cover the Westminster and Anaheim leagues??? I had skated out at Lakewood for many years, but just last April was my first season in goal, so I joined a Rookie team there to start off in net with, now I am playing Copper and subbing in Bronze once in awhile. Did you try emailing them as well? I know many seasons are just starting up again, our 3rd game of the season is tomorrow night at Lakewood.Quote:
Originally Posted by andrews
Here is Scott Workman's email addy, he runs the Lakewood leagues: SWorkman@the-rinks.com
Scott's pretty good at finding people a team. I need to do that myself as my old team moved to a new night that I can't play. There are plenty of teams that don't have enough players. He'll find you one of those teams if you need to join in the middle of the season but I think they prefer you to do a draft skate if possible. Good luck.
The draft skates are only before the new season starts?Quote:
Originally Posted by yipperzz
Good luck finding a team Andrews
Life as a sub pre move is strange. I'm in for the exhibition game it seems, not sure if I should play D for my old team or make them get other people used to it. Ah well I'm just there to skate so I'll go where they put me.
Yes, and it is next to impossible to find out when the date is for those things. They usually are a couple weeks before the season starts.Quote:
Originally Posted by andrews
I wanted to do the one for Copper last season but ended up subbing for a Copper team then came on full-time for them. Ideally I'd like to get on a Bronze team, but those games are typically Wednesday nights at Lakewood. It was hard to navigate the site though to find out when the draft skate was, as it had a "TBD" on it forever...
Thanks for Scott's email he has been able to put me in touch with a few teams. I really appreciate the help.Quote:
Originally Posted by beedee
Got the shutout last night, 3-0! This team beat us the last two times we played them, so it's a good feel!
In my opinion we should have worked them since they only had two subs and we had nearly three full lines! And of course they had a golden opportunity with under 10 seconds left....nail biter!
So I ended up playing in one of the 2 games this weekend. The friday game had 15 guys and they still asked me to come out. I was like dude I'm a sub and you already have 15 guys.
The second game had 9 and 3 of the guys had to leave in the third period to go play in another game. I came out for that one.
Pace was really good for an exhibition game. The other team had won the championship the previous season and had been together for a bit. They got up early 3-0 and sadly the first 2 were just horrible reads at the blue line on my part. They sent a guy to fly the zone and I simply wrote checks my ass didn't cash and hung my goalie out to dry on both of them. The second period we battled back, I even managed to start things off with an end to end rush where I cut the middle, used the d-man as a screen and surprised the goalie with a shot right over his shoulder. That gave the boys some life and a second goal soon followed off a nice 2-2 entry where the first forward pushed wide and got the centering pass to land and the second forward simply beat the other D for a tip in home. By the end of the second we had tied it up and then the third happened. We had started the game with 9 skaters and now we were down to 6. We struck early to put it to 4-3 on a great individual effort wrap around by one of our guys. They tied it back up on a PP goal where I'll take the blame again. I hopped on the ice and the puck was genuinely in my feet, I looked to be sure my man had gotten off before playing it and their guy pushed it passed me to another man with speed and all the sudden it was a 2-1 with speed and our D flat footed. We cycled for another go ahead goal and then they tied it up again on us. All in all tie was probably deserved, we should have won if I hadn't had me head up me arse but then again I know I had some occasional passes that got the puck down the other end. The third period was probably a huge success considering our sub situation.
In any case it was a fun one and looks like the division will be competitive again.
Stood on my head Saturday night and got the L, 3-0. Both teams were scoreless after 1 period, they got their first goal on a 2 on 0 in the 2nd period. Goals 2 and 3 game late in the third, one was a two on one, and the third was a wide open guy on the back door. I felt like I possibly could have had the second goal, I just didn't get all the way over in time. I knew he was going to pass, but just didn't get the push I needed. No chance for me to save the third goal though.
I'm finding that I need to change my mindset. Coming down from Gold to Rookie, then Copper has been tough. I have false expectations of the players in front of me whom just aren't at the level that I am used to. I have accepted it, but it doesn't make it any less frustrating. I have an offer to play Bronze at Anaheim Ice, it is twice as far, and mid-week I believe, but I might have to take the plunge.
Ill be playing my first league games come May when i sign up for Beginner League at Anahiem Ice. I expect to be the worst out there but I just need to do it. Not sure what to expect as far as level of play. Kinda nervous but ready.
awesome! just remember to have fun out thereQuote:
Originally Posted by xLAxKingsx
Thats all ill be doing. Ive been beating myself up not having enough time to be this awesome great amazing 2nd coming of mcdavid player. But then i realized screw it i rather just have fun and learn to play at my pace and enjoy the game more than anything. Ive had fun playing with lgk at a few pick up games when i was super green. This should be fun!Quote:
Originally Posted by Luc SkyBomba
We lost 6-2, one of those craptastic nights where they scored 2 power play goals on the back door, and another one went off my defenseman leg from the top of the crease and in. Our forwards aren't producing and our centers are being lazy AF on the back checks. I am continuously making first initial saves only to have rebounds (that aren't even that far away) banged in because no one is there to cover the open guy on top of the crease or on the back door. :o/ My defense has been great though and have been doing a great job of tying up their man when needing to do so. They are feeling frustrated as well, there rarely is a winger on the near side boards when they are looking for a break out pass, and the center is no where to be seen in the high slot or not circling back down low.
Oh well. My defense and I had a good talk after the game and it was refreshing to hear we shared the same frustrations. In the past they had brought it up to the team, but nothing really changed. I have decided that the only way to keep my sanity is to not let those goals get to me. I can only do so much, and talking to the team about what they need to do isn't going to change anything. Really hoping to get on a higher level team for next season.
xLAxKingsx, have fun man. Expect it to be like Keystone Cops out there, lots of falling down and basically just batting the puck when it comes to people. Have fun though, that is how you learn!
Quote:
Originally Posted by beedee
Thanks i think i see you play at lakewood ice? thats where i wanted to play but got scared and didnt sign up on time lol. Should i expect it to be like kids playing where everyone chases the puck? or is there atleast some structure?
What division? I played in copper a while ago and thought the skill was fairly high at Lakewood. It definitely wasn't kids chasing the puck hockey. Most of the teams could get a decent cycle going on.Quote:
Originally Posted by xLAxKingsx
Beginner! I hope there isnt to many sandbaggers playing my only worry it wouldnt make it fun to try and compete with others really advanced.Quote:
Originally Posted by jamlo21
LAK, correct, I do play goalie in Copper West at Lakewood right now. When I skated out, I played Gold West.
My first season of goalie I played in Rookie at Lakewood. You can scroll back a bunch of pages and find my game reports to see my opinion. In a nutshell, our rookie team was compiled of ALL rookies, as in, no one had ever played on a team before (except me, but I was new to goalie). Not a problem at all, after all, it IS "rookie" league. The issue we (my team) had was that all three of the other teams in rookie, weren't rookie teams. They had people on them that were 3rd season players, which some of still showed signs of being new, but the others clearly had no business being in "rookie". Many rinks allow you to sign up for one level, and if you want to play on another team, you can do so, as long as it is only one level below. The real cherry on top of my final rookie season in goal was when we played a team last season that had two SILVER players on it! Silver East players, meaning they were 6 levels above Rookie! Talk about the ultimate in sand-bagging! We immediately brought it to the leagues attention and they were banned from Rookie right away.
From what I understand, Anaheim Ice does a better job at monitoring teams and their skill levels. We had a player that switched to Anaheim Ice after playing one season at Lakewood, he is currently halfway through his season there. From what he tells me, he enjoys it much more than Lakewood. YMMV.
You won't be the worst, and everyone will be nervous, whether they say so or not.Quote:
Originally Posted by xLAxKingsx
Thanks for the confidence booster! I mean i did skate out to a lgk game when it was barely my 4th time ever on ice lol ive skated plenty of more times than that by now. Im excited non the less lets get here May!Quote:
Originally Posted by Nyssa42
Got lit up last night, 6-1. Same crap different night.
I finally got back on the ice last night, almost a month between games due to travel mainly. Good thing I'm only paying to be a sub. Funny enough it was the exact same team we played in the exhibition game and the result was the same in the form of a tie 6-6 this time though. We tried something really different. We had 11 skaters but one was leaving mid game. Instead of going 4 D and juggling 7 forwards we went 3 D, 2 centers and 3 wing pairs. Strangely it worked really well. Our best skaters got on the ice the most and at the same time were changing regularly. The wingers where we hide our more suspect players may have had a few 2-3 minutes shifts at times but they mostly worked that out themselves. Once our extra forward left we were down to 10 and so dropped the extra wing back to D and carried on. If anyone ever wants to get crazy its a whole lot better to try this than to go with 3 centers where your better guys are sitting on the bench and your 2 wing pairs are eating up all your ice time with your worse off players.
I agree.
You always want your best skaters on D.
It really helps, especially in a 3 man rotation guys are aware of the clock and know how important it is to get off and keep the rotation going. One long shift can bollox the whole thing. I don't play at a high enough level where everyone can play the whole game but I assume at those high levels they at least have respect for the fact that someone also was paying for ice time and they wouldn't bogart the hell out of it.Quote:
Originally Posted by eddieshack23
Quote:
Originally Posted by jammer06
We do this for most games.
Well all be darned, we won 9-2 on Saturday night, against the Saturday Knights. lol
Our team dominated the first period and we were up 4-0 at the end of it. I'm not too certain that it was because we had great shots, but rather their goalie wasn't at his best. He usually plays way better, and he let in the first shot he saw. As a goalie, that crap is impossible to get out of your head! Their first goal on me came in the 2nd period, I joked with my defenseman that he got the assist AND the goal on it. After one blind, backhand clearing attempt up the middle, I stopped a shot and steered the rebound to the left corner, this time the other defenseman did the ol' blind backhand up the middle, right to the opponents stick. The guy ripped a clapper that was going high glove, but the same defensemen redirected it downwards and into the net from about the mid-slot. It was a beauty of a redirect, lol!!! That was it for the scoring in the 2nd. In the third we came alive again, scoring 5 goals. Their next goal came late in the 3rd, our left d'man got beat around the corner and the guy was coming in from just outside the face-off dot, moving from his right to left. I had him squared up but cheated a bit anticipating a backhander from across the crease....however he stayed forehand and squeaked it in between my pad and the post. Oh well.
Their ringer that was routinely scoring 3+ goals for them last season isn't playing with them this season, and it is hurting them. They are in the basement with us, sitting at 3-6 on the season so far. I felt like I played well, stopped a few breakaways from their ringer "sub" that was filling in for them. The score sheet says I stopped 15 of 17, I hate to say it, but I think that was fairly accurate, as I really didn't see a whole lot of action. Nonetheless, it felt great to break a 4 game losing streak!!!
Oh yeah, forgot to mention, I got an assist on our last goal of the game! I was in reverse vh along the right post, their forward tried to throw it to the slot from below the goal line, in which I broke up the pass with the paddle of my stick, it went right to our star center, whom took it coast-to-coast and buried it for the 9th goal and my first assist of this season. :)
We lost this weekend, but let me back up to warm-ups (even to last weeks warm ups).
Last week in warm-ups, the team formed the semi-circle as they usually do and began to fire shots. The first three consecutive shots were headshots (inadvertent, but headshots nonetheless). So after the third one I got out of my crease and was done with taking shots. During the week I kindly reminded the team in our Facebook group that warmups are meant for the goalie to get the feel for the puck (medium shots, into the pads, glove, blocker), not for you guys to take headshots. I was able to see that the entire team saw the post, but no one commented....
Lets fast forward or back to this most recent Friday. With the prior weeks warmups still fresh in my head, I was very hesitant to get back in the net for warm-ups. So I took most of the 5 minute warmup time to stretch, skate, stretch. And with under a minute left, I thought to myself, what the heck, i'll take a few shots. So the team gets in a semi-circle and I quickly square up to the shooter on the very left of it, not even a split second after I squat into my stance to I get tagged in the base of my neck!!! WTF!?!?!? I am livid, the shot came from a player two people down from the guy I was squared up to. I managed to play the first 8 minutes of the game, but had to pull myself because my neck/sternum/clavicle was throbbing. It made it very difficult to breathe and focus.
holy crap thats terrible i always feel bad when ive played or had a goalie during stick times and hes warming up and my shot goes high. I apologize not trying to be a prick. Did anyone from your team say anything? or did everyone just kinda meh and moved along?Quote:
Originally Posted by beedee
Edit:
Only 2 more weeks till me league play starts woot!