Memorial Day

Memorial Day is around the corner. Everyone will be enjoying cookouts, ball games, and the day off from work. How many will take time to stop and remember those who have fallen in this war and past wars? This is what the holiday is for. It is for remembrance and for celebration. For remembering who they were in life. For celebrating their bravery and sacrifice. I am sure everyone knows someone who has fought and died for this country. Have you ever thought about what it was like for them? Storming the beaches at Normandy starring up at the German guns? Going through the streets of Baghdad not knowing what is a bomb or a dead dog? Standing on the deck of your ship watching a Japanese torpedo coming your way? Or taking aim on the "enemy" during the Civil War knowing your brother or father is on the other side doing the same?

So before you bite into that dog or burger, stop and think. Say a little prayer, make a toast or visit the local memorial. These men and women deserve to be honored.

Going down without a fight

I was not surprised the Caps lost to Pittsburgh. As a Caps fan losing to Pitt is a way of life. I am surprised that the boys in red just rolled over. Never did I think they would just lay there and let Sid kick them in the face. But that is what happened. Does anyone know why it happened? There was no hate. There was no hate in this series. No anger. Early in the season, when there was hate, the Caps spanked the Pens. In this series...nothing. So much for the big rivalry. It was the playoffs. You don't skate around the opposition. You skate through them. Another point, outside of a couple of guys, the defense sucked. This off season, the Caps need to get better on D and find someone with a little sandpaper in his soul. Dale Hunter where are you.

Revelations

Any guesses on what this poorly written post will be about? Yes my faithful reader, hockey. More of the same blubbering. Please bear with me. I need to work through this. Like they say, "You can only drink so much. You can only....". The other day it hit me like a Kissle slap shot straight to the nuts, I am never going to play again. I understand that much of it is my own doing and part of me is ok with it. A lot has to do with work schedules and kids schedules and how neither match pick up hockey schedules. That being said, damn I miss playing. I miss the feeling when you first step onto the ice. It is like stepping into a different reality. It is like the problems and issues of life cannot penetrate the barrier of the boards. To ask the question made famous by Jack Falla, "Have you ever been unhappy skating?" I have pondered the question and the answer is no. For 12 years I was able to play. I Cherish those memories. But now that I am on the shelf...I would be happy just to skate. I have not skated in over a year. To hear the crunch of the blade on the ice. To feel the wind in my face. Again, cherished memories.

I did not anticipate the most recent feelings of sadness. They snuck up on me and hit me at my oldest son's hockey awards banquet. I was sitting there listening to the coaches and managers talk about what a great year it was, how well the boys played together, and how they are looking forward to next year. All of this was in past tense. It dawn on me suddenly...the season was over. I gained a great deal of pride and excitement watching my son develop over this past season. He had only 1 point the year before. This year he lead the team in assists. He is fearless even though he was not the oldest or biggest kid out there. The playing is all him. I coached him on the subtle points of the game or the game within the game. But the playing was all him. His passion and love for the game showed itself when he stepped out onto the ice.

I am now a week removed from the banquet and had a chance to ponder what I felt on that night. Of course, pride in my son's achievements. More specifically the sadness. Why was I so sad? In reflection, the core of the issue is me. With the end of the season I have moved another step away from my playing days. Each close of the season moves me farther and farther away. Again, for all the reasons listed at the top of this writing, it is what it is. Looking back I believe I took for granted the gift given to me. The gift of playing. In my defense I didn't think it would end. But it did and very abruptly. That could be the problem too. It didn't end on my terms. Life pulled me from it and cast me into the bleachers. I went from working the angles in the crease to working the heaters in the stands. Helpless as I watch it all drift away.

It is what it is.

What is your favorite hockey memory?

I have been pondering this question for a few weeks. I have been inspired by reading of John Buccigross's blog on ESPN and by reading Keith Jones book "Jonesy". I have had problems putting my finger on just one memory. I have watched, played, coached and parented. As I sit here struggling to piece this together, I have realized this could be the never ending blog. This love affair with the game started over 25 years ago. From sneaking out of bed and turning the TV on in my mother's room to watch the Caps, to going to my first game (Caps vs. Islanders), to talking non stop about the Caps and hockey on a bus ride from our high school to D.C. with a guy I just knew from the football team (Bryan), to playing it in my basement with Rob using nothing by a stick, a tennis ball, a broom, and a baseball glove, to playing at fairfield, to realizing the dream and playing with KNK at Easton, to coaching kids, to passing all of it onto my own kids, and everything in between.

It is easier to break the memories down into groups: Watching, Playing, Coaching, and Parenting. But to say one group out weighs the other is impossible.

So as I struggle to figure this out, I ask you, What is your favorite hockey memory?

What the?

To each his own I guess. In my reading there is one blog soliciting responses on how others see him. Little early for a mid life crisis don't you think? Another blog stating his greatest moment was SSU Hockey Club. What the hell? Has the world gone mad? SSU? Really? What about KNK? Not one mention? All those memories? Wow. Way to put the rest of us in our place. I have played for other teams. I have won championships. I would give it all up for one more moment with the red, white, and black. My greatest moment of my hockey career lasted 3 years. Even though I have been out of your picture for years, I still consider all of those who bleed it my brothers. The big screw you that our Canadian friend has given us, obviously,does not sit well with me. But I guess that he believes he is better that the rest of us. Whatever.

1st greatest game of my hockey career was that 1st play off win. Henry Brown scores a hat trick in a come from behind win against TCCC. That was a total team effort and really defined us. I have had shut outs, I have made great saves, but that was the greatest game.

Picture this

Sat. morning. It is 3:30. Coffee pot is brewing. Kids are stumbling out of bed. I am rushing to get their breakfast ready. Must leave the house no later than 5:00. Everything goes to plan. On the road by 5:00. Dark and foggy I drive. My destination is the hockey game somewhere in ass crack PA. The kids promptly fall asleep 15 minutes into the drive. I wonder about the merits of this endeavour. I curse to myself about the zero visibility and the hour of the morning. 2 hours later and it all comes together. The smell of the rink. The chatter of the kids. The feel that this is a perfect morning. Hockey heaven. The dark and dreary morning falls away to the magical feel of the rink. The sound of sticks clanking together. God what a good day. Final preparations are being put together. Coaches insisting on total team effort. Kids buying into it with no questions asked. Parents nervously chirping. They take the ice. Many kids skating as one. The passion in which they play. Taking the body. Covering the man. Filling the gap. It is difficult to believe these are only 9-11 year olds. It is a close checking game. Chances missed. Team defense a premium. Slowly, our kids take over the game. The come back brings the game back to a one goal game. The drama. The beauty. The power. Our kids dominate the other end. Their goalie is up to the task. The play goes the other way. My kid breaks up the play. He passes it to the man streaking up the side. A break away. A deek. A goal. The kids hold on to score another goal and win the game 4-2. Both teams played great. But that doesn't quite describe the effort. To understand, you would have had to been there. In reflection, it was worth waking up for and driving 2 hours through fog and rain. To describe what I witnessed in one word is impossible. Playoff hockey early in the regular season is a start. Maybe the word is magical. But that still does not do to what I experience justice.

Why I love this woman

This is just one example of why my wife is special. A few nights ago I was telling her that hockey practice for my son was starting now instead of early September. She said, "Hockey season already? Thank god!" Doesn't get better than that. I love this woman.