Tales from the beer league part 2
- Thread starter P. Diddy
- Start date
RoyalSubject
Prospect
I'm moving to Washington state (Portland metro area) in a week. I'm still not quite recovered from the concussion I got back in April, but I think I'm pretty close to at least being able to skate again. It seems like everyone here is in SoCal, but I thought I'd see if anyone is on a team looking for a skater in a beginner league in the Portland area. (Ice or roller) I'm hoping I'll be ready to play in a spring league.
L
LetTigerIn
Lurker
Thanks for the idea. One of my friends is heavily involved with the Winterhawks Booster Club. I'll check in with him to see if he knows anything and post the results back here.
RoyalSubject
Prospect
They have three in Portland from what I've found online. Hoping we don't end up too far from them as we're looking to buy some land which will probably put us out in the sticks.
Go Winterhawks! Probably going to grab a 6 game ticket pack for this coming season to properly indoctrinate my SO and her toddler into hockey culture. Already bought the toddler a Bailey stuffed animal and a "baby's first puck" with a Kings logo on it. She will be a Kings fan! Or at least not a Ducks fan.
RoyalSubject
Prospect
Many thanks!
L
LetTigerIn
Lurker
So, this may overlap the information you already have, but my friend says Mountain View Ice Arena in Vancouver, WA or Winterhawks Skating Center in Beaverton, OR are possibilities.
RoyalSubject
Prospect
I didn't know about the one in Vancouver. I looked but must have missed it. We're planning to live somewhere close to Vancouver so that's perfect!
Our Winter league opened this past weekend. Had 2 games, the first started at 8, the second at 830..Oh well
First game was really fun. We picked up a guy off the Free agent list that is going to be a real nice player for us. He got a couple of goals and made nice passes but he's clearly just at the top of our level. I mean he was working to get what he got and not sandbagging in any way. We ended up winning 4-1 and controlled most of the play.
Second game was well in progress by the time 3 of our guys came over to play in it. The other two guys went to work for the other team and I lined up against them. We pretty much only got in for the third period and even though it was a single level lower the play was much slower, mostly because there was a lot more chaos. It felt hard to get into the game when the puck kept ending up in scrums in the corner and mostly chip play. Our team was up 3-0 when I got in there and the score stayed that way. Tough for anyone to find room to make plays.
In all the season looks like it's going to be a lot of fun both ways.
First game was really fun. We picked up a guy off the Free agent list that is going to be a real nice player for us. He got a couple of goals and made nice passes but he's clearly just at the top of our level. I mean he was working to get what he got and not sandbagging in any way. We ended up winning 4-1 and controlled most of the play.
Second game was well in progress by the time 3 of our guys came over to play in it. The other two guys went to work for the other team and I lined up against them. We pretty much only got in for the third period and even though it was a single level lower the play was much slower, mostly because there was a lot more chaos. It felt hard to get into the game when the puck kept ending up in scrums in the corner and mostly chip play. Our team was up 3-0 when I got in there and the score stayed that way. Tough for anyone to find room to make plays.
In all the season looks like it's going to be a lot of fun both ways.
beedee
4th Line Rabble-Rouser
^ "like"
Right on Jamski. Lower and slower can be tough to get any flow at all, I know how that goes.
So last night was the "Draft Skate" for the upcoming Rookie Season at Lakewood Ice, I use the term "draft" very loosely, let me explain. I show up as a goalie, not necessarily a rookie any more since I have one season under my belt. There were probably around 40-45 skaters or so on the ice as well, all varying in abilities. First 5-10 minutes were spent skating laps, stretching and some people dicking around with pucks. I skated a few laps, stretched, worked on some slides, my usual warm up routine. There was no way in hell I was going to get in net with all the madness out there. On top of that, not everyone knows the etiquette of shooting on net, or not shooting on net. The whistle blows and the guy running the "draft skate"..err, clinic rallys everyone together and explains the instructions for the warm up skate. Im thinking, ok cool, I can partake in this one as it is just skating laps, fast on one whistle, slow down on a double whistle. That comes and goes and he goes on to explain the next drill, etc. AT NO POINT DID THE GUY EVER TALK TO ME, THE GOALIE ABOUT WHAT THE PLAN WAS. It was like I was invisible, usually at a clinic an instructor will give me the run down on the plan for the hour. Long story short, after nearly 40 minutes of me just doing my own thing and working on some crease movement I got off the ice. I was pretty upset at how I was totally ignored by the instructor, I didn't want my own private person or anything, but I also didn't want to just be a waste of space out there. Just think if I was a brand brand new goalie out there!!!?!?! I would have been uber pissed off because no one said anything to me. I had to ask my buddy who was helping run the clinic to ask the main guy if they were going to utilize me in net at all. He did ask and he said yeah, in a bit they would use me. I said **** that and bailed.
Now on to the "draft" portion of this thing. There is no way in hell they could have kept track of who was who, as everyone was in their own practice jerseys, some numbered, some blank. So how will they divide the teams up without knowing what person has what ability? Such a joke! l am very curious to see how the season unfolds, I heard that USA Hockey came down hard on Lakewood Ice for excessive penalties and unfair teams last season.
[MENTION=19179]Peggy_GKG[/MENTION] was there too, I hope he chimes in. We had a lengthy text discussion last night about it all. If they branded this skate as a "clinic" then I would say they nailed it. The drills they were doing seemed to be pretty worthwhile and a couple of my teammates from last season where there as well and enjoyed it. As a "draft skate", this was the ultimate in FAIL.
Right on Jamski. Lower and slower can be tough to get any flow at all, I know how that goes.
So last night was the "Draft Skate" for the upcoming Rookie Season at Lakewood Ice, I use the term "draft" very loosely, let me explain. I show up as a goalie, not necessarily a rookie any more since I have one season under my belt. There were probably around 40-45 skaters or so on the ice as well, all varying in abilities. First 5-10 minutes were spent skating laps, stretching and some people dicking around with pucks. I skated a few laps, stretched, worked on some slides, my usual warm up routine. There was no way in hell I was going to get in net with all the madness out there. On top of that, not everyone knows the etiquette of shooting on net, or not shooting on net. The whistle blows and the guy running the "draft skate"..err, clinic rallys everyone together and explains the instructions for the warm up skate. Im thinking, ok cool, I can partake in this one as it is just skating laps, fast on one whistle, slow down on a double whistle. That comes and goes and he goes on to explain the next drill, etc. AT NO POINT DID THE GUY EVER TALK TO ME, THE GOALIE ABOUT WHAT THE PLAN WAS. It was like I was invisible, usually at a clinic an instructor will give me the run down on the plan for the hour. Long story short, after nearly 40 minutes of me just doing my own thing and working on some crease movement I got off the ice. I was pretty upset at how I was totally ignored by the instructor, I didn't want my own private person or anything, but I also didn't want to just be a waste of space out there. Just think if I was a brand brand new goalie out there!!!?!?! I would have been uber pissed off because no one said anything to me. I had to ask my buddy who was helping run the clinic to ask the main guy if they were going to utilize me in net at all. He did ask and he said yeah, in a bit they would use me. I said **** that and bailed.
Now on to the "draft" portion of this thing. There is no way in hell they could have kept track of who was who, as everyone was in their own practice jerseys, some numbered, some blank. So how will they divide the teams up without knowing what person has what ability? Such a joke! l am very curious to see how the season unfolds, I heard that USA Hockey came down hard on Lakewood Ice for excessive penalties and unfair teams last season.
[MENTION=19179]Peggy_GKG[/MENTION] was there too, I hope he chimes in. We had a lengthy text discussion last night about it all. If they branded this skate as a "clinic" then I would say they nailed it. The drills they were doing seemed to be pretty worthwhile and a couple of my teammates from last season where there as well and enjoyed it. As a "draft skate", this was the ultimate in FAIL.
Peggy_GKG
Prospect
Not true! I wear a combo visor/cage:
I spent a few grand on braces just a couple years ago to finally get my teeth straight, gotta protect the chompers
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beedee
4th Line Rabble-Rouser
dang, your cool factor just dropped a few points.
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Peggy_GKG
Prospect
It went from 1,000,000 to 999,997. I can live with that.
This sounds like it's gonna be a lot of fun for you guys.
Just took minijammer to his first new hockey class on Thursday. He's grown so much from between when he started and this class now the coach took one look at his shorts and said "see me next week before practice, we'll get him some better shorts and you can trade in that speedo he's wearing"
I like the new coach.
Just took minijammer to his first new hockey class on Thursday. He's grown so much from between when he started and this class now the coach took one look at his shorts and said "see me next week before practice, we'll get him some better shorts and you can trade in that speedo he's wearing"
I like the new coach.
Peggy_GKG
Prospect
I am excited. I never thought this would be happening, at the ripe old age of 42 no less. 8 months ago if you had told me I'd be playing organized hockey I would I never would have thought it possible. I truly thought maybe I could play broomball, at best.
And not to get all cocky, but I wasn't all that impressed with the level of skater in the rookie league either, during the latest draft. Maybe it's because I've taken several skating classes as well as some good clinics, but even in the one-on-one drills I was beating guys who I know have played at least one season if not a couple (they were wearing their team jerseys). I obviously wasn't watching everyone but I didn't see too many people that really stood out, I think once the games start I'll be fine and I'm really feeling confident that I'm going to be a solid player. Maybe I'll be humbled once we get going, we'll see.
Anyway we have our first clinic this weekend, I assume maybe that's where we'll figure out positions and stuff, should be fun. Good times.
Luc SkyBomba
I put the D in RICHARSON
awesome you guys get to play together!
My Noho team didn't get enough players returning so the "league" decided to drop us altogether... I'll be playing roller in Burbank for the next season! Should have more fun there since they have actual skill brackets.
My Noho team didn't get enough players returning so the "league" decided to drop us altogether... I'll be playing roller in Burbank for the next season! Should have more fun there since they have actual skill brackets.
So the end of week 2 in our league.
Lower level team had their first taste of what i expect a top team to be in the new division. To their credit they didnt cry ringer or anything when there were some pretty fast players. Hard part for me was trying to match higher effort/level of play with the fact that my team was still playing at the speed of a division below. Was frustrating to spin the wheels, but i was hoping they would pick up on it.
Second game at the higher level, though late made it all worth it though. Played the team that finshed second last season. They always have a fast pace and this was no different. We had 9 skaters and rolled 3 D. First period had 3 whistles over the first 10 minutes. Not a huge amount of shots but an abundance of tape to tape passes regroups and so forth. Just a real fun game. There were some screwy calls but it ended in what seemed to be a fair enough 3-3 tie.
Maybe Mud or LTI can answer but how is the best way to go about lower level team play. I dont want to try and do things by myself because its not how i enjoy the game. Probably just need to give the guys time to adjust to the new level and hope the spirits stay high.
Lower level team had their first taste of what i expect a top team to be in the new division. To their credit they didnt cry ringer or anything when there were some pretty fast players. Hard part for me was trying to match higher effort/level of play with the fact that my team was still playing at the speed of a division below. Was frustrating to spin the wheels, but i was hoping they would pick up on it.
Second game at the higher level, though late made it all worth it though. Played the team that finshed second last season. They always have a fast pace and this was no different. We had 9 skaters and rolled 3 D. First period had 3 whistles over the first 10 minutes. Not a huge amount of shots but an abundance of tape to tape passes regroups and so forth. Just a real fun game. There were some screwy calls but it ended in what seemed to be a fair enough 3-3 tie.
Maybe Mud or LTI can answer but how is the best way to go about lower level team play. I dont want to try and do things by myself because its not how i enjoy the game. Probably just need to give the guys time to adjust to the new level and hope the spirits stay high.
L
LetTigerIn
Lurker
As far as playing at the lowest level goes, I'm not sure what I have to offer will be any good, because I actually belong at that level, so my experience is different.
From my perspective, I try to add one or two elements to my game every time I skate, or, if I notice I'm developing some bad habits, I'll re-focus on maintaining the good habits I've already established. I try to get my teammates to hold me accountable, and I offer to do the same for them. For me lately, it's been making an effort to face the play as much as possible, which entails me relying on my shaky backwards skating and keeping my feet sorted out. Some of the habits I've tried to develop in the past include keeping my legs activated, sticking to my defensive assignment, positioning to be available on breakouts, screening the goalie, keeping my stick on the ice, etc. Some of these habits are things I've worked out on my own, but most of them were advice given to me by teammates.
For some of my teammates this season, it has been things even as basic as being onside, being in the right spot on face-offs, and taking short, hard shifts.
So, maybe if you just look for the incremental improvements in the skaters in front of you, or especially if you take a hand in helping them toward those steps, it will be less frustrating for you. If you can point out to them the specific ways they're improving, even better to help keep the spirits high, as you say. If that is not something that makes you happy, then I say just move onward and upward. I always think that's cool.
From my perspective, I try to add one or two elements to my game every time I skate, or, if I notice I'm developing some bad habits, I'll re-focus on maintaining the good habits I've already established. I try to get my teammates to hold me accountable, and I offer to do the same for them. For me lately, it's been making an effort to face the play as much as possible, which entails me relying on my shaky backwards skating and keeping my feet sorted out. Some of the habits I've tried to develop in the past include keeping my legs activated, sticking to my defensive assignment, positioning to be available on breakouts, screening the goalie, keeping my stick on the ice, etc. Some of these habits are things I've worked out on my own, but most of them were advice given to me by teammates.
For some of my teammates this season, it has been things even as basic as being onside, being in the right spot on face-offs, and taking short, hard shifts.
So, maybe if you just look for the incremental improvements in the skaters in front of you, or especially if you take a hand in helping them toward those steps, it will be less frustrating for you. If you can point out to them the specific ways they're improving, even better to help keep the spirits high, as you say. If that is not something that makes you happy, then I say just move onward and upward. I always think that's cool.
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beedee
4th Line Rabble-Rouser
For lower level players that I have experienced on my team I really emphasized positioning and keeping their sticks on the ice. If they are in the right place at the right time, they will be blocking passing lanes and hopefully intercepting passes if they are good about keeping their sticks on the ice. I also try to drive it in their heads to shoot the puck along the boards if they don't have anything, hell even if they have something, the safest play is up along the boards, especially in our zone. Too many times they just swat at the puck without looking or having an idea of where they want it to go....and many times it would go right through the high slot...to the other team.
Last night we had another clinic at Lakewood, they were suppose to have our jerseys ready but they didn't. Lame. It was four teams on one sheet of ice, with only two goalies, myself and another one. The guy that was running it was really cool though and tried to make the best of if by not over complicating things. The first 10 minutes were spent warming up and messing around with pucks, i steered clear of the crease until drills started. He started the skate by dividing half of the skaters in each end of the ice and doing the classic horseshoe drill...it was also cool because he instructed the skaters (after i mentioned it) to shoot from the slot and not try to deke the goalies yet since we were warming up. After that they did some 2 on 0's, which wasn't too bad. I was focusing on making quick lateral slides from right to left, and made a few great saves if i say so myself. From there we went on to scrimmage for about 20 minutes or so. At times it was tough to tell who was on my team because of the variety of jersey colors, I imagine the players had trouble deciphering that as well. I only gave up two goals during it, both were crappy tap ins due to no defensemen picking up the wide open forward in the slot/backdoor. Once the scrimmage wrapped up he did a fun keep away drill using the face-off circles with players on the outside of it and one in the middle, pass the puck through and don't let the person in the middle get it. It was fun because i partook in it as well. After 5-10 minutes of that he divided people in half and did shootouts for the last 10 minutes or so. Again he was very considerate of the goalies and made sure the players waited until we were up and ready from the previous shooter before they came in from center ice. As usual, I got gassed after the first 15-20 shooters (as did the other goalie) so I stepped out of the crease for a bit to skate it off and shake out my legs before getting back in the net for more action.
All in all it was a fun skate, there were two or three skaters that shouldn't be in this league, but that is inevitable. It was really fun though seeing the new people come in and try their hardest during the drills. They were so stoked to be playing hockey and even apologized if they fanned on their shots on goal, haha. I'm assuming our games start up next Sunday.
Last night we had another clinic at Lakewood, they were suppose to have our jerseys ready but they didn't. Lame. It was four teams on one sheet of ice, with only two goalies, myself and another one. The guy that was running it was really cool though and tried to make the best of if by not over complicating things. The first 10 minutes were spent warming up and messing around with pucks, i steered clear of the crease until drills started. He started the skate by dividing half of the skaters in each end of the ice and doing the classic horseshoe drill...it was also cool because he instructed the skaters (after i mentioned it) to shoot from the slot and not try to deke the goalies yet since we were warming up. After that they did some 2 on 0's, which wasn't too bad. I was focusing on making quick lateral slides from right to left, and made a few great saves if i say so myself. From there we went on to scrimmage for about 20 minutes or so. At times it was tough to tell who was on my team because of the variety of jersey colors, I imagine the players had trouble deciphering that as well. I only gave up two goals during it, both were crappy tap ins due to no defensemen picking up the wide open forward in the slot/backdoor. Once the scrimmage wrapped up he did a fun keep away drill using the face-off circles with players on the outside of it and one in the middle, pass the puck through and don't let the person in the middle get it. It was fun because i partook in it as well. After 5-10 minutes of that he divided people in half and did shootouts for the last 10 minutes or so. Again he was very considerate of the goalies and made sure the players waited until we were up and ready from the previous shooter before they came in from center ice. As usual, I got gassed after the first 15-20 shooters (as did the other goalie) so I stepped out of the crease for a bit to skate it off and shake out my legs before getting back in the net for more action.
All in all it was a fun skate, there were two or three skaters that shouldn't be in this league, but that is inevitable. It was really fun though seeing the new people come in and try their hardest during the drills. They were so stoked to be playing hockey and even apologized if they fanned on their shots on goal, haha. I'm assuming our games start up next Sunday.
Now Chirping
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