Ok, another game in the books. This was our second match-up with the Knights. The last time we played them, we had handily beat them. As it later panned out, the goalie that we had for the first game with them would become our permanent goalie. However, he missed this game for some reason. His replacement was not a bad man to man the net. He did a wonderful job keeping the puck out of the net when we didn't leave him out to dry. Also, our offense didn't come into the game full force until the third period.
Our team play was not nearly as bad as it was during our last game. We were playing well, but we were just not finding a shooting channel at the net often enough and when we did, it wasn't frequently finding the back of the net. Although, it was getting there often enough to keep us in the game. At the end of the second period, we were down two or three goals.
There were three specific instances that I found noteworthy during the second period. The first was a beautiful no-look backhand top shelf goal scored by one of my teammates while we were short handed. It was just amazing. He was on a rush and the first couple efforts were blocked. He managed to reach a loose puck with only a glance at the net and put it in. I think it was this goal that turned the momentum from the other team to ours.
The second instance was a scary one. I realized that I had dangerously forgotten my cup while I was suiting up. This really made me take pause when I was playing on the offensive at the net. Anyway, unrelated, There was one situation where a shot was taken and caught my skate. I am not certain if the goalie would have been in position to stop the shot, I just hate to have been in the way of a shot that the goalie would have had an issue with. The goalie for this team is most easily beaten with low shots.
Lastly, right before the end of the period, there was a turnover at the red line near the boards where I was close to the play. Unfortunately, I was unable to wrestle the puck off of them. This play eventually lead to another goal for them. During the between period rest, my teammates told me that in that situation I should have played the body and risk the penalty. Yes, they were telling me to check him on the boards. The way the play panned out, the puck was in between his skates when I got there. I stopped short of hitting him (and the boards) and I was trying to play the puck. Well, I guess if I had put a shoulder on him that I could have prevented that goal. I'm not exactly certain how I feel about that mentality. My skating ability is already bad enough when it comes to stopping, but do I really what to "Bob Stop" against another person? I might have to find a compromise in between a "Bob Stop" and a check to avoid the penalty and still come away with a better opportunity at the puck. I'll let you know how that works out the next time I have that type of opportunity.
Once the third period starting buzzer rang, it was as if a switch was flicked and it was on. Lane, one of the guys on the team, just turned it on. The first few shifts of the period were somewhat lopsided. We spent the majority of the time on offense, but were unable to produce. Around the 8 minute mark, Lane turned it on. He scored a hat-trick in less than a three minute time period. Ironically, each play was almost a single man effort. From the red line to the net, it was all him for each goal. His speed is amazing and his stick handling is suiting for his speed. It was a real spectacle to see him turning on the moves. His hat-trick put us in the lead for the first time in the game. This would be the last lead change of the game.
We move one step closer to .500 to 3/4. If you would like to see the standings, team win/loss records, or pending schedules, you can find them here:
League Schedule
Team Win/Loss Schedule
League Standings
It would appear that the "draft league" wasn't very well executed according to the current standings. I would not expect a properly executed draft league to happen to be so lopsided or so predicatively so. Granted, going into this league, I wouldn't have known one way or the other, however, my teammates had told me so when we played them the first week. Although, it is good to know that each time we've played them thus far, we've been in the hunt.
So, as for my play, I am not certain that my game play is improving. I happen to be touching the puck more often than in the first couple of games, but my passing and stick handling are not improving. I guess once I can reliably get a handle on the puck I will begin improving in the passing and handling areas. If I had to say anything was going well in my play, it would have to be on the back check role. I am doing well at pressuring the other team into mistakes taking the puck out of their zone. Anyway, after this game, I had a short chat with a teammate. I truly trust his opinion. He has been honest with me thus far and he was the one that called me Rudy. I asked him if I seemed to be improving at all. Without being blunt about it, he said that my stick handling & passing needed work and that as long as they keep me playing offense and I stay in position, more opportunities should present themselves in time.
Angel was able to catch this game and she had an interesting point of view to present. Since she's missed several games and was seeing me skate again for maybe the third time, I think she has an objective point of view. So, she noticed an improvement in my skating. I'm not sure if it was a true improvement or if it was more related having gotten back into the swing of things and neither can she. It has only been this season that she has watched me play.
Stay tuned for more game updates to come in the following weeks.
Read More......
