Tales from the beer league part 2
- Thread starter P. Diddy
- Start date
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xLAxKingsx
Lurker
beedee
4th Line Rabble-Rouser
Another game down, and another
10-2.
Yet another team that should be in the SILVER division was allowed to drop down because "they didn't want to play Sunday nights". Thus far, each team we have played has been a Silver level drop down. Pretty F'ed up if you ask me, and our goalie played with some of these guys before and said more than half of them played some advanced level of elite hockey...
On to the game, we actually got out to a 1-0 lead, we could hardly believe it. It was short lived though. The first period was close, and in typical fashion it got blown wide open in the 2nd and 3rd. We actually had 10 skaters this time, but 4 were subs. One was really good, so that was cool. We were outshot something like 34-10 (we all know how accurate the SOG stats are in the BHL), but it definitely was lopsided! I had some decent shots from the point, and also intercepted a couple breakout passes just inside the blue line in which I skated into the high slot area and got a couple shots off, nothing got by the tendie though. I felt great all game, considering how fast some of these guys were, I was still able to force them wide and get quite a few poke-checks when they tried to dipsy-doodle around me. Even though we keep getting blown out, I haven't let it get me down at all. Sure its frustrating that teams are allowed to sandbag it in levels they shouldn't be in, but whatever. I'm getting good exercise out there.
Oh yeah, they moved us down from Bronze North to Bronze South, we'll see how that plays out.
Next game, my other team on Saturday night at 10:15pm.
10-2.
Yet another team that should be in the SILVER division was allowed to drop down because "they didn't want to play Sunday nights". Thus far, each team we have played has been a Silver level drop down. Pretty F'ed up if you ask me, and our goalie played with some of these guys before and said more than half of them played some advanced level of elite hockey...
On to the game, we actually got out to a 1-0 lead, we could hardly believe it. It was short lived though. The first period was close, and in typical fashion it got blown wide open in the 2nd and 3rd. We actually had 10 skaters this time, but 4 were subs. One was really good, so that was cool. We were outshot something like 34-10 (we all know how accurate the SOG stats are in the BHL), but it definitely was lopsided! I had some decent shots from the point, and also intercepted a couple breakout passes just inside the blue line in which I skated into the high slot area and got a couple shots off, nothing got by the tendie though. I felt great all game, considering how fast some of these guys were, I was still able to force them wide and get quite a few poke-checks when they tried to dipsy-doodle around me. Even though we keep getting blown out, I haven't let it get me down at all. Sure its frustrating that teams are allowed to sandbag it in levels they shouldn't be in, but whatever. I'm getting good exercise out there.
Oh yeah, they moved us down from Bronze North to Bronze South, we'll see how that plays out.
Next game, my other team on Saturday night at 10:15pm.
beedee
4th Line Rabble-Rouser
We won last night, 9-8. (EastWest team) I can’t believe how close all of our games have been, so many have been decided by one goal!
Unfortunately I sustained an Upper Body Injury on my first shift of the game.
I was going to the corner to retrieve a puck and their forward also was. I decided to hold up a bit to avoid a checking/roughing penalty and we collided. He was about my size and I’m not sure if it was his shoulder or elbow, but at the point of impact my ribs on my right side felt a pretty sharp pain. I fell to the ice on my knees to gather myself. After a few seconds I got up and headed to the bench. The pain kind of subsided initially but remained constant for the rest of the game. This caused me to play much more conservative, I was sure to avoid any body contact at all costs. It hurt ti reach for the puck with my top hand (I’m a lefty, so my right hand). However it didn’t hurt too bad when taking SOG, so that was good.
The game was back and forth all night, we scored, they scored, all the way til the end, except we got the last goal. My D partner and I were feeding each other across the blue line all game and we both got quite a few shots through. No rushes for me though, I hung back all game. This W puts us at 5-2 on the season and in a three-way tie for second. There are still 11 games remaining in the season.
I’m for sure watching from the Press Box for both games this upcoming week to let the ribs heal.
This morning my daughter had her first Learn To Play lesson at Lakewood, it was so cool to see her geared up AND WITH a hockey stick in her hands. She did great, brought a lump to my throat as I watched her skate off on to the ice.
Unfortunately I sustained an Upper Body Injury on my first shift of the game.
I was going to the corner to retrieve a puck and their forward also was. I decided to hold up a bit to avoid a checking/roughing penalty and we collided. He was about my size and I’m not sure if it was his shoulder or elbow, but at the point of impact my ribs on my right side felt a pretty sharp pain. I fell to the ice on my knees to gather myself. After a few seconds I got up and headed to the bench. The pain kind of subsided initially but remained constant for the rest of the game. This caused me to play much more conservative, I was sure to avoid any body contact at all costs. It hurt ti reach for the puck with my top hand (I’m a lefty, so my right hand). However it didn’t hurt too bad when taking SOG, so that was good. The game was back and forth all night, we scored, they scored, all the way til the end, except we got the last goal. My D partner and I were feeding each other across the blue line all game and we both got quite a few shots through. No rushes for me though, I hung back all game. This W puts us at 5-2 on the season and in a three-way tie for second. There are still 11 games remaining in the season.
I’m for sure watching from the Press Box for both games this upcoming week to let the ribs heal.
This morning my daughter had her first Learn To Play lesson at Lakewood, it was so cool to see her geared up AND WITH a hockey stick in her hands. She did great, brought a lump to my throat as I watched her skate off on to the ice.
We won 8-2 last night, in no large part due to them only having 7 guys to our 11. We emphatically skated them into the ground. Still game was clost through two, we just blew it open in the third. Played with the knee brace for the first time and that was better for me so I know I've gotta get to work rehabbing this thing.
Best part of the game was we show up for the 7:30pm game slot (sweet) and the rink is closed. Kid who was supposed to be there never showed. So we didn't get on the ice til 830 as we waitrd for someone to open the rink up for us. Even when we get a great slot, we can't get outta the rink before 10.
After the two teams that play us next in the playoffs went at it, and they actually had a fight. So that helps that they both gonna be down a man. Started with stick work earlier in the game and we could all see it coming except the refs. One day they will call the penalties first.
Best part of the game was we show up for the 7:30pm game slot (sweet) and the rink is closed. Kid who was supposed to be there never showed. So we didn't get on the ice til 830 as we waitrd for someone to open the rink up for us. Even when we get a great slot, we can't get outta the rink before 10.
After the two teams that play us next in the playoffs went at it, and they actually had a fight. So that helps that they both gonna be down a man. Started with stick work earlier in the game and we could all see it coming except the refs. One day they will call the penalties first.
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xLAxKingsx
Lurker
So we had our first game. Its also the first time i get to meet the rest of the team and id say its a pretty decent bunch. Had a short bench 9 players so i already had flashes of being burnt out and tired. But we managed shifts pretty good and everyone got a workout.
Now the game itself wasnt so bad. We went down 2 goals within the first 3 mins
2nd period we went down 1-4 they had some decent skaters but i didnt feel we were outmatched. Our goalie may be in her 60s and about 5 feet but she is great and really tries so we all kept her in the game making sure she didnt get bummed out. That worked though cause she shut everything down after the 4th goal.
3rd period we mounted a comeback. We got better shifts they became shorter but we actually changed on the fly this time. Before everyone was waiting for the whistle so people got stuck out there for 3 min shifts.
We just couldn't complete the comeback. We failed in the shootout. I actually took the 5th shot (rare) Im usually scared to try it but said **** it this time. Tried to go 5 hole goalie got this stick down just enough to deflect into his pads and it didn't squeak thru. wahhhhh. We lost on the next goal they made it and we didnt.
Overall solid team and comeback. Someone actually brought some beers and everyone was in good spirits. We stuck around to check out the pre made team that wasnt suppose to happen. They skate really good 5 of them are figure skating coaches... But on the ice with a puck and stick meh they didnt look so dangerous. They can skate but put pressure and they couldnt control the puck. Overall i hope its a good season. I didnt try D cause i chickened out haha.
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X
xLAxKingsx
Lurker
My throat lumps never came back. Lol my daughter hated hockey
Never to hit the ice again... le Sigh
beedee
4th Line Rabble-Rouser
I didn't play in either of my games this week due to my upper body injury, but they went as follows:
Wednesday night, Lakewood: 5-3 loss
Saturday night, Artesia: 2-1, loss
Daughter had her second Learn To Play on Sunday though. This time around there were maybe half as many kids (21 opposed to the 43 last week). They split the group up in half, basically had the bigger kids at one end, and the smaller at the other. She is still enjoying it and they got to use some pucks during the clinic, was rad to see her stick-handle and shoot the puck (we practice that a bit in our garage)! They usually get 5-10 minutes at the beginning of the skate to play around with pucks also, hoping this next session they get to see more pucks during the drills.
Wednesday night, Lakewood: 5-3 loss
Saturday night, Artesia: 2-1, loss
Daughter had her second Learn To Play on Sunday though. This time around there were maybe half as many kids (21 opposed to the 43 last week). They split the group up in half, basically had the bigger kids at one end, and the smaller at the other. She is still enjoying it and they got to use some pucks during the clinic, was rad to see her stick-handle and shoot the puck (we practice that a bit in our garage)! They usually get 5-10 minutes at the beginning of the skate to play around with pucks also, hoping this next session they get to see more pucks during the drills.
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Luc SkyBomba
I put the D in RICHARSON
Been taking the little one ice skating the last two weeks. She's loving it! Starting to think about getting us our own pair so we don't need to use those nasty ass toe pick rentals anymore. I'm sure I can find her size easy, but any budget skates come in wide sizes? I'm not likely to be playing hockey on em. Sticking with roller for now.
https://twitter.com/Qmungous/status/1416900654220529665
https://twitter.com/Qmungous/status/1416900654220529665
beedee
4th Line Rabble-Rouser
Nice!
Regarding skates, you can find some at Play It Again Sports, the one in Torrance has tons. My wife got a pair of like-new mid level Bauer Nexus for $60! Nexus is Bauers most "volume" skate, so if you have wide feet, that is a good one to look at. They have discontinued Nexus for this year, and everything is now a Vapor or Supreme boot. (I wear Vapors, narrow heel, wider mid and fore foot) Best thing to do is try a bunch on and see what feels best. Not sure what your budget is, but you can go to any big-box hockey retailer and they should have a Bauer Fit Foot Scanner machine there. They scan your foot and it spits out what "Fit" you should be in Fit 1, Fit 2 or Fit 3 (for Bauer skates). CCM also has a new fit system for this year. But there are a ton of options out there. I used to wear Graf for a few years, but went back to Bauer a few years ago.
beedee
4th Line Rabble-Rouser
Hope ya feel better JamDawg! I totally can relate! These sore ribs of mine are going to sideline me for sure this week again, and maybe next week. Last thing I want to do is take a hit to them and be out even longer.
Luc SkyBomba
I put the D in RICHARSON
Monday night was our playoff game, win and into the championships, lose and out (it's a weird round robin so we actually would have forced a tiebreaker final playoff if we won this and then the next). Anyway it was a tightly contested game, we took the lead 1-0 after getting outplayed through most of the first on a great individual effort by our top scorer. That shook em up and we tilted the ice back to even. We got into the second and killed a couple of penalties which had us back on our heels. unfortunately I was out on D and they'd double stacked the front of the net with the puck in the corner. I fronted both of them and their guy in the corner got a pass just past my skate to a wide open back door. I was pretty upset about it but there wasn't much I could do otherwise with two guys on my backside and no help. Two shifts later they hit basically the exact same play but from higher in the slot so I had no chance to block the pass. The front man tied me up as I tried to get to the shooter, I did knock him over into him but not til after he got the shot off past the goalie.
Heading to the third down 2-1 we put as much pressure on as we could and got rewarded with a really nice goal from the dot that was immediately waived off for a skater in the crease. The ref was quick and adamant about it so it was probably legit but we still grumbled pretty hard about it. We did get the goalie off and I had a chance to sneak to a puck that bounced just off the backside of the crease but one of their D on the ground got their stick on it right as I tried to shovel it. It was a draining game in that both sides were going harder and harder with less as the game went on but still really a clean game. Credit to them though they were laying out blocking shots like mad, I had a one timer from the slot that a guy took off his gut and I know I got all of it.
Anyway thus concludes our winter 2019 season, ready for winter 2021 to begin in October. Going to skate in a few more friday night skates in the meantime but looking forward to the new season to start.
Heading to the third down 2-1 we put as much pressure on as we could and got rewarded with a really nice goal from the dot that was immediately waived off for a skater in the crease. The ref was quick and adamant about it so it was probably legit but we still grumbled pretty hard about it. We did get the goalie off and I had a chance to sneak to a puck that bounced just off the backside of the crease but one of their D on the ground got their stick on it right as I tried to shovel it. It was a draining game in that both sides were going harder and harder with less as the game went on but still really a clean game. Credit to them though they were laying out blocking shots like mad, I had a one timer from the slot that a guy took off his gut and I know I got all of it.
Anyway thus concludes our winter 2019 season, ready for winter 2021 to begin in October. Going to skate in a few more friday night skates in the meantime but looking forward to the new season to start.
beedee
4th Line Rabble-Rouser
Hell has frozen over, pigs are flying, our Lakewood team finally won our first game of the season, 5-3!!! (now 1-5 on the season)
Ironically, this team beat us two weeks ago by the same score. I was on the fence about playing since my ribs were still a tad sore, but our Captain said he needed bodies, and I'd be our 9th skater. So I decided I would give it a shot, and I could always leave if I needed to. Also, my goalie from my Artesia team was subbing for us, so that was kind of cool. I told myself that I'd have to play very conservative and I did. Usually I'll pinch and take a couple end-to-end rushes, but not last night. However I did have the most SOG I probably ever have had in a game, it was glorious!
The other team got off two a quick 2-0 lead in the first, but then we scored to cut their lead in half. Our team was clicking for whatever reason, great breakouts from our end and equally good offensive zone entry. Passes were being connected, sometimes three in a row! (a BHL miracle). The score was 3-1 at the end of the first, with them on top.
Second periods typically haven't been our strong point, however last night was different. We were on fire! We scored 4 goals and completely dominated them. At one point there was a delayed penalty on them, and I kid you not, we had possession for over two minutes before it came to an end because we scored!!! I think I got at least 3 SOG from the point during that possession, it seriously was amazing! The goal on that possession came off a rebound from my point shot, so I got my first point of the game. On the ensuing Power Play we again set up in their zone and I was being fed at the point from our left winger throughout the PP, welp about a minute into it I let a clapper fly from just inside the blue line, I really got a hold of it and it went high-blocker and in!
The third period was uneventful, no goals by any team. There were a couple penalties, including an "interference" on me, but it was our other D'man, but for some reason the ref said it was me? It was so wrong that my D partner actually went and sat in the box because he was so sure it was on him, lmfao! Oh well, it was a bad call, but I didn't argue it, just laughed it off. It felt really good to finally get a win, and get a goal and an assist! My ribs didn't hurt too bad, just felt like a nagging bruise, so I guess that is good?
Next game is in Artesia on Saturday night, I'm going to play it by ear regarding playing, hoping to ice the ribs a bit more between now and then.
Ironically, this team beat us two weeks ago by the same score. I was on the fence about playing since my ribs were still a tad sore, but our Captain said he needed bodies, and I'd be our 9th skater. So I decided I would give it a shot, and I could always leave if I needed to. Also, my goalie from my Artesia team was subbing for us, so that was kind of cool. I told myself that I'd have to play very conservative and I did. Usually I'll pinch and take a couple end-to-end rushes, but not last night. However I did have the most SOG I probably ever have had in a game, it was glorious!
The other team got off two a quick 2-0 lead in the first, but then we scored to cut their lead in half. Our team was clicking for whatever reason, great breakouts from our end and equally good offensive zone entry. Passes were being connected, sometimes three in a row! (a BHL miracle). The score was 3-1 at the end of the first, with them on top.
Second periods typically haven't been our strong point, however last night was different. We were on fire! We scored 4 goals and completely dominated them. At one point there was a delayed penalty on them, and I kid you not, we had possession for over two minutes before it came to an end because we scored!!! I think I got at least 3 SOG from the point during that possession, it seriously was amazing! The goal on that possession came off a rebound from my point shot, so I got my first point of the game. On the ensuing Power Play we again set up in their zone and I was being fed at the point from our left winger throughout the PP, welp about a minute into it I let a clapper fly from just inside the blue line, I really got a hold of it and it went high-blocker and in!
The third period was uneventful, no goals by any team. There were a couple penalties, including an "interference" on me, but it was our other D'man, but for some reason the ref said it was me? It was so wrong that my D partner actually went and sat in the box because he was so sure it was on him, lmfao! Oh well, it was a bad call, but I didn't argue it, just laughed it off. It felt really good to finally get a win, and get a goal and an assist! My ribs didn't hurt too bad, just felt like a nagging bruise, so I guess that is good?
Next game is in Artesia on Saturday night, I'm going to play it by ear regarding playing, hoping to ice the ribs a bit more between now and then.
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beedee
4th Line Rabble-Rouser
We won last night, 5-2. (Artesia league)
This moves us into sole possession of second place now, as we were tied with the team we played last night. We are 7-3, with 8 games remaining. Top 4 teams will enter the playoffs.
The game went well, ribs didn’t bother me much at all. That being said I still played a bit more conservative and did my best to avoid any contact. Had a few SOG, and got one assist from a stretch pass I made to one of our zippier Centers whom received it around center ice and then had a beautiful dangle to put the biscuit in the basket. Oh yeah, we had 8 skaters, so that was fun, but by now I’m used to being one of three defensemen so it’s not too taxing anymore.
This moves us into sole possession of second place now, as we were tied with the team we played last night. We are 7-3, with 8 games remaining. Top 4 teams will enter the playoffs.
The game went well, ribs didn’t bother me much at all. That being said I still played a bit more conservative and did my best to avoid any contact. Had a few SOG, and got one assist from a stretch pass I made to one of our zippier Centers whom received it around center ice and then had a beautiful dangle to put the biscuit in the basket. Oh yeah, we had 8 skaters, so that was fun, but by now I’m used to being one of three defensemen so it’s not too taxing anymore.
Luc SkyBomba
I put the D in RICHARSON
Man I'm gettin an itch to play...
