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Just had our first Rookie League game yesterday afternoon…well that was brutal! I must have faced at least 30 shots, gave up one in the 2nd, and two in the third. First goal went 7-hole, felt it go off my left bicep. Second goal I was completely screened on, saw it right as it went through the D's legs and over my left pad. Third goal was blocker side and I was so exhausted at that point that I couldnt get it in front of the shot. Our team only had 10 shots, and was shutout.
So about this team, literally 8 of the 10 skaters seriously looked like they have never skated before. My buddy whom is also brand new looked like a super star compared to them. I cant even tell you how many breakaways I stopped, 2 on 0's, men left all alone wide open in the slot. The refs were giving me propps, and said this game would be so out of hand if I wasnt standing on my head. I even had two sprawling saves that I surprised myself with.
My buddy joked that it was like keystone cops on ice! Our team was clearly outmatched, meaning the other team had people that knew what they were doing, had hockey sense, and ability. Our team, not so much. People were literally falling down as they tried to play the puck. I finally had to use our timeout halfway through the 3rd when it was only 2-0. I calmly told the team what I was seeing and was asking for help because I was gassed...I almost puked, thats how many shots I was facing.
I guess thats what you get when you sign up for Rookie League. I was just hoping that we had more players with more hockey sense, and even margianally better skills (hopefully those will develop). I was also helping them with their positioning on lining up for faceoffs in our zone. The plus side of all this is that I will learn very quickly, I have no choice.
Overall I felt strong but my endurance declined fast as the 3rd period wound down. I focused on keeping my stick down and my butt down as well. My stance felt good, I pushed it a bit wider than last time out and that helped with my b-fly. During warmups I actually did some b-fly slides and it was fun!
A gal was taking pix at the game tonight from our bench, I will post some when she uploads them. Tomorrow I am doing that StickTime with my goalie buddy whom is going to give me instruction. I will be bringing my GoPro, so I will put together another video to watch and learn from.
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Thanks for this update BD. I was real curious as to the ability of the skaters. After the LTP clinic I took a few weeks ago they were pushing people to sign up for the rookie league despite the fact that, out of say 40 people, maybe 7 or 8 had any business playing any kind of organized game at that point. I don't want to sound cynical but it really seems like they just want to get people signed up and get the money, and then they sort of throw them out to the wolves with little to no direction or coaching. I know when you join the rookie league they also include a couple of coaching clinics, but there needs to be some basic instruction too, stuff you pointed out like positioning, etc. One of the big reasons I just want to get a little bit of clinic time under my belt.
Speaking of, did the first session of the LTP/Be a Player Clinic at TSC yesterday. Definitely a step up from the Anaheim LTP which was for true beginners. They combined the classes which I thought might happen since pretty much everyone there had basic skating and stick-handling ability. There were more than few guys right at my level, just starting out but could at least get up and down OK, but also quite a few experienced players who were much better than us too. We did several game drills which for me, highlighted the fact that I still need a lot of work in those situations, just moving around, transitioning, getting in position, that sort of thing. Fortunately have 6 more of these clinics to work on it.
I really wish I could just watch a bit of your rookie league game just to see how the action is but Lakewood is a bit out of the way for me just to drive out. Not sure how it works out there but I'm pretty sure they have a draft for the Anaheim league, meaning you won't get a team full of n00bs vs. a team full of ringers, it should be evenly matched up...theoretically anyway.
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Two games yesterday. First one was a blast, had a couple of assists and even nailed a lob pass over the d's head to a streaking winger who caught it out of the air. Also got a PPG off a beautiful screen, goalie had no chance. We were up 4-1, blew the lead and then slowly drew away to win 4-7.
Second game was not as good, about 3 minutes in my skate kinda stuck in a rut when I was trying to move out of the way from a shot. Pulled/aggravated my abs/hip flexor. I could skate kinda ok after but a couple of times I tried to open up for a pass or a shot and my body was having none of that. Should have stopped playing because today not only is the original side injured but my other hip is letting me know it didn't appreciate all the compensation. Seems like I'm constantly dealing with a nagging groin now. Guess I get to keep doing my PT for even longer. Thankfully we won the game.
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Isn't getting old just a blast? Hell even after skating I'm home with an ice pack on my knee and another on my shoulder. I don't dare skate without my knee brace now.
Congrats on the wins.
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It cant get much worse, a Canuck uni with a Ducks logo on the front. :/
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Here are a few pix from Sunday's game.
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Sweet pics. I like that 2nd one, three yellow jerseys and you. LOL.
I really want to see this league in action.
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Drinks is mildly original. Nice pics.
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Played the first place team in my roller league last night. They beat us 12-5 first time we played them.
Down 2-1 at the end of one.
We scored six in the second, I had five of them. Up 7-2.
So of course we blew the lead. 7-7. Overtime. 3 minutes of 3 on 3.
I get the draw, the other team is just looking at me to give it up. They're just standing there.
I skate around the left D, he doesn't even touch me, goalie misses the poke check. Game over 15 seconds in. 8-7.
A great deal of puck luck involved.
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