Picking up the pace

I’ve been feeling a little better lately about my game.  I’m not sure what accounts for it, and it’s probably imperceptible to those outside of my brain.   But, I feel like I’m skating a bit better, and am seeing the puck and the play a little better than I have been in a long while.  I’m also trying to push myself to get out of the comfort zone that I’ve played in for the longest time.

I’ve had a few good chances to score in my last few games, so maybe this is what is helping.  I had a bunch in our last game against the Ice Dawgs, though I wasn’t able to cash in on any of them.  This surge in confidence/feel-goodness has motivated me to try and get in another ice time during the week.  Since our team moved to playing Friday nights (as a result of the creation of Silver B), I’ve only played once a week. 

I used to play one game plus one drop-in or skills class per week.  The drop-in I used to attend was removed in place of our games on Friday nights, and there haven’t been any classes for months.  I’ve never felt that one session on the ice per week was enough, and I think it has had an impact on the development of my abilities on the ice as well as my enjoyment of the game.  So, I’ve resolved to get my butt out of bed early on the weekends to practice at the rink.  So far, it’s been great (“so far” being the one time I’ve done it since making the resolution to do it).

Speaking of the Ice Dawgs, we had a great game against them last Friday, except for some physical play all during the game on the part of one of their players, who later was ejected from the game.  I’m not sure what his deal was,  but I think in the end the referees handled that situation appropriately.  Some words were exchanged between players on their time and ours, but I’m not going to hold it against them or take it personally.  The Ice Dawgs certainly don’t have a reputation for dirty play and it was probably just due to emotions boiling over.

On another note, many of us were surprised to see the Pints finally lose a game in regulation.  Norcal Crossover A beat them 2-1 on Friday night.  Not to take anything away from the victors, but I wonder if the “fix” was in.  Consider the following:

• The week prior, during the Silver B Captain’s Meeting, the question of league parity came up.  I understand that the Pints team was mentioned as they were basically undefeated, but that consensus was that there isn’t a parity problem.  What happens the following week?  All of a sudden, the Pints lose a game.  The coincidence raises an eyebrow, doesn’t it?
• According to the official stat sheet, the Pints only had one shot on net against Norcal, on which they scored.  Apparently, they did not shoot any more than that.  How is it possible for an undefeated team to only have one shot on net?  Hmmm… perhaps because they didn’t want to score again?
• The Pints’ best player happened not to be at this game.  Another coincidence…
• The Pints and Norcal Crossover A are former/current roller hockey teams.  They know each other and it seems interesting that the Pints would lose to people they are familiar with.  Not to sound surfacist, but we ice players have noticed that roller players tend to be a bit sketchy.

So, I think the circumstantial evidence speaks for itself here.  The Pints threw a game because they want to avoid being moved up to Silver A next season.

And finally, has the offseason already started?  It’s only February but I’ve heard of some activity with a captain or two approaching players (including those on my team) to join theirs next season - though I don’t know which league specifically; it could be in our league (in which case they are looking to poach our roster) or another.  It seems several of our guys have been approached. 

Perhaps it’s better to be proactive this year and get myself going in that regard.  It seems that the country’s economic woes are having an impact on whether many people will be able to play next season, as employment is becoming an issue and hockey has to take its place on the affordability bubble.  As such, I’ve started this week to begin my team planning for next season.  Hopefully, by starting earlier, the offseason won’t seem as difficult as it usually has been.

Singh10.

An open invitation to Bret Hedican

The NHL free agent frenzy starts on July 1, and guess what?  The mighty Puck Hogs will be among the players at the table.

According to my sources:

[Carolina Hurricanes] General manager Jim Rutherford said Thursday that Bret Hedican has told the team he’s moving on, and although there’s a chance he could end up back with the Canes at some point later in the summer as a free agent, he no longer figures in their plans at this point.

The 37-year-old defenseman and his wife, figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi, have said they plan to leave Raleigh and move to Northern California.

That’s right, smooth skating defenseman Bret Hedican is ready to explore his options. 

I first took notice of Bret (yes, I’m on a first name basis with him) when he came via a trade to the Vancouver Canucks in 1994, and was a key addition to the Canucks’ run to the Stanley Cup final that year against the NY Rangers. He was but a young pup back then, but even then hockey greats such as Paul Coffey sung Bret’s praises.  Hedican was always a very smooth skater, a reliable defenseman, and grew to be a great leader.  He won the Stanley Cup in 2006 with the Hurricanes, and now is prepared for something bigger.

Bret, the Hurricanes may not figure in your plans, but you certainly figure in ours.  Consider this your welcome mat to the Intergalactic Democratic Republic of PuckHogistan.  When you come out this way, get in touch with me and we’ll talk.  I’m sure you’d find the Puck Hogs a great fit:

• You are coming to northern California, and we are in northern California.
• You are married to figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi, and our roster has Yama-Ducé.
• You can play with us in the summer, pad your stats, and then re-join the NHL at a higher salary in the fall.
• We BBQ.  A lot.
• Adding you to our roster would assure you and us of the coveted Silver B cup.

I am prepared to offer you a compensation package that you will not be able to turn down.  Contact me before June 28, and I will assure you a roster spot to play THIS season.

Bret, I am standing by and waiting for your call. Bret?

Singh10.

Wednesday Wusings: Big Changes Ahead for Bronze?

We played a great game on Sunday night in our 4-0 shutout of the Phantoms: from our goaltender to our defense, to all of our forwards.  It takes a lot to keep the Phantoms off the scoreboard.  They have some talented runners-and-gunners on that team and it takes a team effort to defeat the reigning Bronze League champs.  RDA had another statistically good night, combining for three goals and four assists.

You’ll forgive me if I sound like I’m gloating.  We just never had the chance to say we beat the Phantoms in two tries last season, so this one felt good.  But, we can’t rest on our laurels.  I’m quite sure the Phantoms were not happy with their effort, and will be especially motivated when we play them for the third and last time this season in February.

Before this game, Yama2 presented the Canucks jersey that the team bought for me.  They didn’t have to go to that effort, but the jersey looks great, and I really appreciate it.  I’ll try to get a picture of it up soon. Thanks guys! 

And now, for some rumour mongering…