Volunteers??? The Devil took to the ice last night in some unfamiliar gear along with two of her oth
Volunteers??? The Devil took to the ice last night in some unfamiliar gear along with two of her oth
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Tag Archives: girls hockey
Close but…..
In the semi-final this morning the Sharks battled hard and did everything they needed to do to win; except score. At least three and maybe five or six pucks were uncanny in their ability to avoid the net. Point blank shots, a couple of breakaways and in close rebounds were all turned back or away by the goal keeper and her cohorts. The Sharks’ string of close games against their fiercest rival continued with a 0-1 decision that left them close, but barely out of the afternoon final.
All in all the weekend has to be considered a success with four very competitive games against stiff competition. We sure all hoped they would pull of the win this morning and make it to the final, but the lucky Chuck Taylor’s and well-worn Jets hat weren’t quite enough to get them over the hump (like either had any say or bearing in the matter). The tournament did show the girls they can skate with anyone. Now they just need to use this showing to catapult them forward through the rush of regular season games to come. Will wait a bit till I pull the shoes out again.
#imahockeydad
Close but…..
In the semi-final this morning the Sharks battled hard and did everything they needed to do to win; except score. At least three and maybe five or six pucks were uncanny in their ability to avoid the net. Point blank shots, a couple of breakaways and in close rebounds were all turned back or away by the goal keeper and her cohorts. The Sharks’ string of close games against their fiercest rival continued with a 0-1 decision that left them close, but barely out of the afternoon final.
All in all the weekend has to be considered a success with four very competitive games against stiff competition. We sure all hoped they would pull of the win this morning and make it to the final, but the lucky Chuck Taylor’s and well-worn Jets hat weren’t quite enough to get them over the hump (like either had any say or bearing in the matter). The tournament did show the girls they can skate with anyone. Now they just need to use this showing to catapult them forward through the rush of regular season games to come. Will wait a bit till I pull the shoes out again.
#imahockeydad
So Far, So Good
The Devil and her mates have held true to the hopes of moms, dads and coaches in delivering three strong performances in their first three round robin Sharkfest contests.
The first two teams they faced, as suspected, were arguably stronger sides, but the girls were able to more than hold their own to earn 1-1 and 2-2 ties respectively. Both of the first two opponents exhibited a slight edge in puck control, overall size and aggression. The girls, to their credit, did not back down at either end of the ice. Perhaps there is something to be said about defending one’s home turf.
The Sharks were to be particularly commended for their showing in game two as they had to fight through illness and injury. One forward fought a nasty head cold while another suffered from an injured shoulder caused by an errant opponent’s stick in game one. I was told, by a reliable source on the bench, that both girls desperately wanted to play and support their team in what they knew was a tough battle. These two ties were also predicated on strong goaltending, which the team has been blessed with all year, and a couple of good bounces, which are always welcomed when the hockey gods bestow them.
Game three was slated to be another good test as the two teams would enter the match with identical 0-0-2 records. Indeed the game opened with a scoreless, but chance-filled, first period. A few minutes into the second period the opposing team would score its first goal on a deflected shot. The Sharks would waste no time in scoring to tie the game only eight seconds later. Several chances would be exchanged through the second and into the third period; until the player afflicted, yet fighting, through the head cold pounced on a rebound. She quickly deposited the frozen puck into a yawning cage behind the opposing keeper. The Devil and her cohorts held on for the rest of the period to secure the 2-1 win; thus earning a berth in tomorrow morning’s semi-final.
I’ve just checked the tourney Web site (ah the wonders of modern technology that allow us to track stats from home). The semi-final will be against the Sharks’ fiercest rival this season who they will be facing for no less than the fourth time this year. This is sure to make for an exciting, closely fought match. I will likely don my lucky red Chuck Taylors for the occasion; though the girls have been doing a great job making their own luck of late. I’ll wear the lucky hat too — just in case.
#imahockeydad
So Far, So Good
The Devil and her mates have held true to the hopes of moms, dads and coaches in delivering three strong performances in their first three round robin Sharkfest contests.
The first two teams they faced, as suspected, were arguably stronger sides, but the girls were able to more than hold their own to earn 1-1 and 2-2 ties respectively. Both of the first two opponents exhibited a slight edge in puck control, overall size and aggression. The girls, to their credit, did not back down at either end of the ice. Perhaps there is something to be said about defending one’s home turf.
The Sharks were to be particularly commended for their showing in game two as they had to fight through illness and injury. One forward fought a nasty head cold while another suffered from an injured shoulder caused by an errant opponent’s stick in game one. I was told, by a reliable source on the bench, that both girls desperately wanted to play and support their team in what they knew was a tough battle. These two ties were also predicated on strong goaltending, which the team has been blessed with all year, and a couple of good bounces, which are always welcomed when the hockey gods bestow them.
Game three was slated to be another good test as the two teams would enter the match with identical 0-0-2 records. Indeed the game opened with a scoreless, but chance-filled, first period. A few minutes into the second period the opposing team would score its first goal on a deflected shot. The Sharks would waste no time in scoring to tie the game only eight seconds later. Several chances would be exchanged through the second and into the third period; until the player afflicted, yet fighting, through the head cold pounced on a rebound. She quickly deposited the frozen puck into a yawning cage behind the opposing keeper. The Devil and her cohorts held on for the rest of the period to secure the 2-1 win; thus earning a berth in tomorrow morning’s semi-final.
I’ve just checked the tourney Web site (ah the wonders of modern technology that allow us to track stats from home). The semi-final will be against the Sharks’ fiercest rival this season who they will be facing for no less than the fourth time this year. This is sure to make for an exciting, closely fought match. I will likely don my lucky red Chuck Taylors for the occasion; though the girls have been doing a great job making their own luck of late. I’ll wear the lucky hat too — just in case.
#imahockeydad
Sharkfest cometh
The Devil’s home tournament, appropriately dubbed Sharkfest, starts tomorrow. We are all, of course, all hoping for a good showing. You have to figure the home team has a bit of an advantage as there is no travel, no hotels, no pools, no rushed meals in restaurants and no other out of the norm distractions that virtually every visiting team has to deal with. Our girls will be playing in the friendly confines of their home rinks, they will eat healthy, home-cooked meals and they will get to go home to their own beds at presumably decent times. For many teams, tournaments mean suggested, but not necessarily strict curfews. We’ve been to enough tournaments to know the general “lights out time” is 10pm, while the general “we’re sleeping soundly time” is more like 12am. 8 and 9am morning games show up plenty early.
You would also like to think that the home team would play a little harder to defend their home turf. That message will no doubt be relayed in the pre-game dressing room coach talk. We’ll just have to see if that attitude is carried out onto the ice at game time.
All three of the teams the Devil will be playing are coming from 2+ hours away. But then again, two of the three teams come from traditionally strong regions where players are drawn from large, primarily rural areas. The result is a usually a collection of quite talented players from a relatively small population. We’ve played teams from one of these regions in the past where the players, from a size and skill perspective, appeared to be a year or two older. I may have once quipped from the stands that someone should “Check that girl’s driver’s license” as she didn’t seem to fit in with the other 10 year olds. 10 years olds typically don’t stand over six feet tall even if they are wearing skates. I also recall watching an opposing 11 or 12 year old player launch a slap shot that I would be proud to see fly from my stick. One or two significantly stronger players on any given team can make the difference between winning and losing in women’s hockey. Then again, often times a cohesive team can counter a strong player.
As with any tournament, the real purpose is for the girls to have fun playing a variety of teams they don’t usually get to face. Doing well and perhaps even winning a tournament would be an added bonus. The coaches will simply want to see the players and team compete to their full potential. We believe we have started to see glimpses of that potential over the last several weeks and hope it continues this weekend; as the team prepares to enter a heavy part of their regular season schedule in December.
The Boy, for his part, has no hockey until late day Sunday, so he will be running score clocks during the tournament in return for high-school mandated community service hours. He’d much rather be playing Call of Duty on his XBox in his down timie. However this is a good opportunity to amass a substantial percentage of the 40 hours he is required to put in during his four-year high school career. So he will be joining us, somewhat willingly, in the rinks.
As other local teams in other divisions will also be playing in this tourney, I’m sure we will spend a substantial amount of time in one rink or another over the next few days. I will hopefully be reporting back triumphantly, if not with simple pride following a strong effort by the Devil and her mates, as the weekend draws to a close.
#imahockeydad
Sharkfest cometh
The Devil’s home tournament, appropriately dubbed Sharkfest, starts tomorrow. We are all, of course, all hoping for a good showing. You have to figure the home team has a bit of an advantage as there is no travel, no hotels, no pools, no rushed meals in restaurants and no other out of the norm distractions that virtually every visiting team has to deal with. Our girls will be playing in the friendly confines of their home rinks, they will eat healthy, home-cooked meals and they will get to go home to their own beds at presumably decent times. For many teams, tournaments mean suggested, but not necessarily strict curfews. We’ve been to enough tournaments to know the general “lights out time” is 10pm, while the general “we’re sleeping soundly time” is more like 12am. 8 and 9am morning games show up plenty early.
You would also like to think that the home team would play a little harder to defend their home turf. That message will no doubt be relayed in the pre-game dressing room coach talk. We’ll just have to see if that attitude is carried out onto the ice at game time.
All three of the teams the Devil will be playing are coming from 2+ hours away. But then again, two of the three teams come from traditionally strong regions where players are drawn from large, primarily rural areas. The result is a usually a collection of quite talented players from a relatively small population. We’ve played teams from one of these regions in the past where the players, from a size and skill perspective, appeared to be a year or two older. I may have once quipped from the stands that someone should “Check that girl’s driver’s license” as she didn’t seem to fit in with the other 10 year olds. 10 years olds typically don’t stand over six feet tall even if they are wearing skates. I also recall watching an opposing 11 or 12 year old player launch a slap shot that I would be proud to see fly from my stick. One or two significantly stronger players on any given team can make the difference between winning and losing in women’s hockey. Then again, often times a cohesive team can counter a strong player.
As with any tournament, the real purpose is for the girls to have fun playing a variety of teams they don’t usually get to face. Doing well and perhaps even winning a tournament would be an added bonus. The coaches will simply want to see the players and team compete to their full potential. We believe we have started to see glimpses of that potential over the last several weeks and hope it continues this weekend; as the team prepares to enter a heavy part of their regular season schedule in December.
The Boy, for his part, has no hockey until late day Sunday, so he will be running score clocks during the tournament in return for high-school mandated community service hours. He’d much rather be playing Call of Duty on his XBox in his down timie. However this is a good opportunity to amass a substantial percentage of the 40 hours he is required to put in during his four-year high school career. So he will be joining us, somewhat willingly, in the rinks.
As other local teams in other divisions will also be playing in this tourney, I’m sure we will spend a substantial amount of time in one rink or another over the next few days. I will hopefully be reporting back triumphantly, if not with simple pride following a strong effort by the Devil and her mates, as the weekend draws to a close.
#imahockeydad
Sharks Bounce Back
The Devil and her team had an excellent outing the night before last in which they earned a 3-1 victory. Then again tonight they came out strong and played three good periods of hockey in a 0-0 tie against an important rival; a team they lost to the last time they played. Their early season record sits at 2-1-2. I am told the coach delivered a focused message about playing aggressively and being the first to the puck before the last victory. They have since been all that and then some. The girls are beating the other team to the puck, winning the battles on the boards and getting more shots on net.
The Devil for her part was coming off a couple of lack-lustre performances leaving many, including yours truly, wondering why she was not playing up to her potential. This season we have seen flashes of speed, but they have been relatively scarce. She has been making good plays/passes with the puck. She has scored a few goals. However, hockey mom, I and a few other observers who have seen her play in the years past, know she has more to offer. Whether it was the coach’s speech or mom/dad’s pre- and post-game exhortations; something appears to have sunken in. She, like her teammates, has picked up the pace. She’s skating harder; particularly on the back-check, which really tells you how much more committed she is.
As a hockey parent, who puts time and a few bucks up for the kids to play, you really want to see them give their best effort. There are generally extenuating circumstances. Mood swings are not uncommon with pubescent teenagers; boys and girls alike; so we always need to keep that in mind. At the same time, we can appeal to their understanding of the importance of commitment. personal growth and teamwork. They get it. Sometimes it’s just the who and the how the message is delivered. As parents/coaches we don our psychologist hats, try a variety of approaches depending on the personality we’re dealing with then hope for the best.
Whatever’s caused the recent change, the effect is welcomed by those who understand the ability and potential of the player and the team. Another lull can/will undoubtedly come as it does with all players/teams, but now we can all reflect back to the last couple of games. We can offer the reminder of what we know is possible. Then we can hope the message resonates again to affect the desired response. We know ya can do, so just do it! Oh that it were that easy. Games are lost and won as much between the ears as they are on the ice. So we’ll continue to work in both places hoping for positive results.
#imahockeydad
Sharks Bounce Back
The Devil and her team had an excellent outing the night before last in which they earned a 3-1 victory. Then again tonight they came out strong and played three good periods of hockey in a 0-0 tie against an important rival; a team they lost to the last time they played. Their early season record sits at 2-1-2. I am told the coach delivered a focused message about playing aggressively and being the first to the puck before the last victory. They have since been all that and then some. The girls are beating the other team to the puck, winning the battles on the boards and getting more shots on net.
The Devil for her part was coming off a couple of lack-lustre performances leaving many, including yours truly, wondering why she was not playing up to her potential. This season we have seen flashes of speed, but they have been relatively scarce. She has been making good plays/passes with the puck. She has scored a few goals. However, hockey mom, I and a few other observers who have seen her play in the years past, know she has more to offer. Whether it was the coach’s speech or mom/dad’s pre- and post-game exhortations; something appears to have sunken in. She, like her teammates, has picked up the pace. She’s skating harder; particularly on the back-check, which really tells you how much more committed she is.
As a hockey parent, who puts time and a few bucks up for the kids to play, you really want to see them give their best effort. There are generally extenuating circumstances. Mood swings are not uncommon with pubescent teenagers; boys and girls alike; so we always need to keep that in mind. At the same time, we can appeal to their understanding of the importance of commitment. personal growth and teamwork. They get it. Sometimes it’s just the who and the how the message is delivered. As parents/coaches we don our psychologist hats, try a variety of approaches depending on the personality we’re dealing with then hope for the best.
Whatever’s caused the recent change, the effect is welcomed by those who understand the ability and potential of the player and the team. Another lull can/will undoubtedly come as it does with all players/teams, but now we can all reflect back to the last couple of games. We can offer the reminder of what we know is possible. Then we can hope the message resonates again to affect the desired response. We know ya can do, so just do it! Oh that it were that easy. Games are lost and won as much between the ears as they are on the ice. So we’ll continue to work in both places hoping for positive results.
#imahockeydad
Tough tests…lessons learned
The Devil’s team was offered a spot in a tournament this past weekend with three teams rated above them (level A vs. BB). The tournament was in need of an additional team and it was decided that this would provide a good barometer for the girls to measure themselves against. Before the tournament, the coach explained that there were no expectations around winning, but rather the goal was to understand the level at which A teams are playing; then to strive to get to that level by season’s end.
I’ve been asked to join the coaching staff and have gladly accepted. This weekend I was able to get some great insights into the make-up of the team and its players. This is something you can only really get from interacting with them in the dressing room pre- and post-game as well as on the bench during the game. This weekend taught me a lot about the character of this team. After only a few games I am marveling at the maturity and character of many of the players; no doubt a product of their age and experience. Each year brings a progression as it rightly should.
The first game of the weekend was against the tournament’s strongest team. The Devil would unfortunately miss the game along with two other players due to injury (as per the previous post), but her cohorts competed valiantly in a 4-0 loss. While they were outshot by a fair margin and kept in the game by a brilliant goaltending performance, the depleted squad had several scoring chances of their own. The score could have just as easily been 4-2 or 3-1. The coach rightly heaped praise on his short-handed charges who were buoyed for their next two tests against two slightly weaker teams a day later.
In game two, the girls came out strong again and took the game directly to their counterparts. The score was deadlocked at zeros at the end of the second period and a win or tie was certainly in sight. Unfortunately, the third period saw the Devil and her teammates fall behind a step and soon a goal, followed by three others. Another 4-0 loss that felt like anything but a 4-0 loss. In everyone’s eyes they had held their own for a solid 3/4 of the game.
Undeterred, the team looked forward to game three against what was assumed to be the weakest of the three opponents they would face in the tournament. But this third team had felt the sting of two losses and came out determined to stop the streak there. Our girls, on the other hand, seemingly succumbed to the physical and mental burden of the the previous two games. Though hopes were high based on the perceived level of the competition, the end result would be eerily familiar; 4-0 for the wrong team.
Throughout the tournament, the head coach buoyed the girls confidence and put the tournament in perspective. They had played hard, had not given up and at no time looked out of place against these “superior” teams. As you looked around the dressing room after the third game, you could see the players were tired, but not defeated. The results, not the scores, of these three games bode well for this team. They already know they can compete at a relatively high level. With practice and commitment they will only get stronger. We are all looking forward to what this team is able to accomplish.
To round out the storied weekend, the team would play one more, previously scheduled, game against a team they will be facing in their regular league. In this fourth game in three days, we saw a much different team than the one who had competed the previous two days. They were a step slower. Decisions were made a 1/2 second later, which in hockey generally leads to turnovers and missed opportunities. They also came up against a stellar goaltending performance from the other side. The final was 3-0. For those keeping score, our girls were 0 for the weekend, but it was not for a lack of scoring chances. This too shall pass as it so often does in the ebbs and waves of hockey in general.
A practice was originally scheduled for tonight, but was fittingly deferred until later in the week. The announcement of the rescheduled practice at the conclusion of game four was met with several sighs of relief. The team knows it needs home for a rest before embarking on the busy schedule that is the regular season with tournaments sprinkled in between. We will have that schedule in the next few days. The fun stuff is just beginning.
#imahockeydad