Monday Musings: Cranky, cranky
It was an odd night in the Bronze League last Sunday.
First, the Volcanoes beat the Kodiaks 7-4 in a penalty-filled contest. There was a total of 72 penalty minutes, including three (that’s right, three!) 10-minute game misconducts handed out**. All of these major penalties went to the Kodiaks. Someone must have put some lemon in the bears’ honey, because they were a sour team. What’s odd is that last season the Kodes were one of the most gentlemanly teams in the league, so it makes you wonder what happened to them this season, or in this game in particular. The worst consequence of this is that it totally changes my analysis of penalty minutes so far this season that I did a couple of weeks ago.
As for our win against A Peine Legal, Wong24 put it best when he said, “I’ve never seen a team be so cranky after winning”. It’s true, some of us were cranky in the locker room after the game, not that it was malicious or that bad. We were just a little edgy, which is unexpected for a team that had just won 9-2. It probably had to do with the fact that we really had to hold ourselves back in this game, considering our opponents, and with all the adrenalin that was built up, it had nowhere to go except to be directed at each other.
I’m sorry I was so mean to you, Jones3.
**CORRECTION 11/13: The Kodiaks captain informs me that there was only one 10 minute game misconduct and two normal 10 minute misconducts assessed to the Kodiaks in the game. My bad.
. . . . .
The Phantoms have been having our goalie sub for them over the past month or so, and in doing, they’ve passed us in the standings. They’re one point above us, in second place. While I personally have no problem with our goalie helping out other teams and getting as much ice time as he can, it does also give me a creepy feeling – there’s something incestuous about it, like we’re dating our cousins or something.
. . . . .
Part of the reason why any of us play recreational ice hockey is because it helps us relate better to the game we love to watch on TV. We go through, in our own small way, what NHL players go through during the course of the season. It adds another dimension to our appreciation for the game.
Personally, I’m now on a six game pointless streak – no goals or assists. I’m officially in a slump. Our goalie has more points than me this season. I had higher expectations for myself going into Winter 2007, but I haven’t scored since our first preseason game way back in September. It’s becoming frustrating: I’m shooting more and trying to generate chances, but I can’t seem to get anything in the net, nor am I even getting any assists. Phillips15 thinks my scoreless streak might be due to the fact that I’m not getting the same chances I was getting last season, where I’d screen goalies and pop in rebounds in front of the net (in true Ryan Smythian fashion). It’s no secret in the league that standing in front of the net in the offensive zone is my M.O., and so the bearded hatchetman might very well be right. I do think I haven’t had as many chances in front of the net.
So how to get out of this? The cool thing is now I get to use the hockey cliches that I see NHL players use on TV:
We’ve got to get out there and skate hard.
We’ve got to take this season one game/shift at a time.
We really have to take advantage of our/create more chances.
We have to stop squeezing our sticks, and go out there and just play our game.
While it’s no fun being in a slump, I can now totally relate to what it’s like when an NHL player isn’t scoring. It’s just another reason why I love playing this game.
Singh10.
November 13, 2007 at 3:13 pm
Don’t apologize Winty, Jonesy can take a shot or two.
Yes we were cranky with no way to leave it all out there on the ice. I’d have to say that it was a little worse than taking a hard loss like with the Icee Dawgs. When you leave it out there, players are usually too tired to complain. ME being cranky after every game…as the goon I am, I was even more so Sunday night. But I think it had more to do with being ready for a non-existant 4th period and having no stick-time to go to. While I applaude the effort by the ladies and the few cross-dressers on their team, I think it is time to shake up the Bronze with a split. Take the bottom few Silver teams, lump them with the top of the Bronze and Call it Bronze A. Let the bottom here slug it out in the Bronze B for the chance to move it up a notch.
But, I would like to apologize in writing here (and plan to do it in person next week) not to the girl that I roughed up (besides she punched like a girl) but to Andy, one of the girl’s team coaches. Besides the fact that I didn’t put my finger on his face after going to high school with him, I made a few sour comments without thinking. Yes Andy, it was still a fun night of hockey on Sunday, any night that you can strap the skates on and rough up a willing opponent is a good night. I’m sorry for saying otherwise. Also, I made a comment about goonery by that last hit on me on my way to the net with 45sec left and how it doesnt belong here. I was right, it doesnt belong, but it happens, and I’m not much better after slapping that poor girl around a bit. Hats off to her for that punch to the throat she gave.
As for scoring Winty…..anybody can score….but not everybody can man-up and work harder when they don’t. Give yourself a break, its not a race. Funny though I find myself having the same thoughts. Just get in front of the net to do what you do, it will happen. Also remember that you have been playing on a different line, there is no Jones on Jones action anymore. Learn your new linemates, find what works, and talk it up. Besides more goals for you means more assists for me. You could always play with Jones again if you wanted.
November 14, 2007 at 11:54 am
Yama,
Don’t ever use the phrase “Jones on Jones action”. It sounds a little creepy. Just keep enforcing out there and playing your *ss off! If I remember correctly, the most memorable goal in the Hogs existence came off of your stick against the mighty Volcanoes. I’ll take a game winner any day of the week, than a couple of forgetable goals throughout the season. I agree with you about the split, but the season is much more fun with six or seven comparable teams this season than the three or four from last season
Wintster,
This is a team game. As long as we win, who cares who’s scoring. You’ll get to drink out of the coveted Bronze Championship cup this year with the rest of the team. And remember, you drawing two players into the crease with you is a strong reason why quality shots are generated. You’re a vital part of our success. Without you, we’d be just a few lost piglets trying to find the teat. Besides, the reason you’re not getting the rebound goals anymore is because KINNEY DON’T LEAVE NO REBOUNDS!
-Jones
November 14, 2007 at 4:31 pm
Thanks Vince.
I’m on a literary roll now. Someone asked me the other day, what good is a player who doesnt score alot of goals or have alot of playmaking assists. What do they do to make them a contributor?
1) Simple. They are called DEFENSE and hence, defend.
2) Or…..As one of these guys with limited, but memorable point moments (Thanks for shout-out Vince Jones), here is MY answer……They ARE called teammates….roughing up the other team, agitating, forcing mistakes, being in the right place at the right time, skating balls out up and down the sheet and wearing down the offense or defense even if its on one foot or across the goal mouth in the prone position. They could be punching the holes for the Kinney’s (bow down to Kinney) of the world to stroll through and hit a peanut butter shelf winner or simply pulling a defender off a teammate. These are the guys that are the mortar in the wall, literally getting hammered around every turn and popping back up just to piss someone off. Funny, its hard to block shots or shoot when you are so preoccupied with that little mosquito. These are the guys that get all the credit in the world from their linemates and none from their stats.
Teams need depth, not everybody is going to be a scorer, blocker, speed skater, goon, goal keep and every line is different. Because it is a TEAM sport, you fill your roll, even if that roll is to take up any slack and be that utility guy with the bruises and the 0.000002 pt percentage.
There is NO shame and NO crying in hockey, maybe just a little limping. So back off you stat-aholics, you part time hockey fans that look at goals over goods. WE have spoken.
So did that answer that question?
November 15, 2007 at 1:10 pm
“While I personally have no problem with our goalie helping out other teams and getting as much ice time as he can, it does also give me a creepy feeling – there’s something incestuous about it, like we’re dating our cousins or something.”
Hey there’s nothin’ wrong with dating your cousin as long as she’s hot.
All kidding aside…
I have two loyalties in regards to the game.
First and foremost I am and always will be a Hog, as long as the team exists, no matter where we go, who we play, or what the score is. My un-dying loyalty and gratitude lies with the team, no matter who I’m subbing for. I cut myself shaving the other day, and my blood was not red but orange…I have had quite a few offers to stray from the Hogs over the last year. Some of these offers have been quite attractive, but I have turned down everyone of them, and will continue to do so in the future, no matter how enticing they are.
My second loyalty is to the game itself. Whatever team I play for, I give 110%. This is only fair. Hockey is the greatest sport on earth, with beer pong being a close 2nd, and I feel priveledged to have the opportunity to participate in the game. My wonderful wife allows me to play 1 night per week, so I usually try to take full advantage of it. When I am in the net for other teams, my main focus is stopping the opponent. I can’t lie about enjoying a win even if it is for another team, but it is not what drives me to give that 110% effort.
I just want to make it clear to all where my #1 loyalty is!
In a few weeks we play the Phantoms, I hope there will be no question which side of the ice I’ll be on.
As for Winty’s scoreless slump, I will now vow to focus my passing/assist effort towards Winty. I might have better luck at gaining some points, as my deep passes to V. Jones never seem to pay-off…
I hope this clears a few things up, I’m not trying come off as being frustrated or anything like that, I just don’t want anyone second guessing my loyalty. For it is my one of my #1 personal attributes.
November 15, 2007 at 2:42 pm
Hey Jake,
I hope you didn’t take the “dating cousin” bit as a question of your loyalty or dedication to the team. That’s never entered my mind as an issue. I’ve actually witnessed people give you offers to play for them and saw you turn them down right away, so I know about your loyalty. You’ve done a lot for this team.
If you’re subbing for another, I have no problems about that. I consider you an upstanding guy, and a great teammate. But you have more assists than any goalie should, that’s my beef.
Anyway, sorry if what I wrote came across wrong. It wasn’t about you but more about just how weird the competition is in the league.
See ya Sunday!
Singh10