I haven't played defense in about 6 weeks, having been "demoted" to forward
but I still am usually aware of what my +/- is game to game ... I don't keep a running tally, I just know over the
course of the game whether I'm on the ice for more goals against than for
I've become the designated "Don" linemate ... Don is guy on our team who is a great guy that can't skate
Somehow I ended up on his line once, and because I didn't complain, tag I'm it
I don't really care, he's been fairly receptive to advice on the bench
for a few games, it got me playing center again which I loved ... other than the fact that the other winger was
fairly stationary as well (though he does have a good shot and positional understanding)
I'm not the type of player that can backcheck deep and still carry the play to the other team
So we couldn't get out of our own end, even with me winning 65% of my faceoffs
So the last few games I've actually spoken up early, and gotten the lines fixed so that the big guy (usually a porous defenseman) now
is skating with the 1st line (at least he gives them a safe outlet, and a good one timer) and an energy guy comes to my line
I even let the guy take center, though his lack of success in the faceoff circle has some of the locker room postgame drinkers
suggesting I take the center position back from him ( though I like playing RW, I've gotten SO many chances the last few games!)
My point is I don't mind skating with Don, but we at least need another guy who can skate on the line
And since we put the line together (about 3 weeks ago), Don has actually been playing very well in the offensive zone, forcing turnovers
(seeing as they usually will attempt to pass out of their zone on his side 90% of the time) and keeping the puck in deep
tonight we lost 5-2 to a team I swear we should beat every time ... we outplayed them, even having a spurt of something like 8:00 in
their zone in the 2nd period ... I for one, actually played a dominant skating game, once I realized they weren't challenging, I decided I'd
carry it more than usual, instead of immediately looking for a pass. I even had the go ahead goal on my stick off a rebound during that long
flurry in their zone, and I opted to immediately try the backhand on the down goalie ... he got a piece of it, sending it wide
I keep thinking if I pulled it to my forehand, I would have easily scored ... though, who knows who was waiting to chop me
I guess a shot is better than no shot, but I still kick myself ... I think I had the time to do it
Doesn't matter anyways ... they scored 2 goals in the last 20 seconds of 2nd period, to take a 4-2 lead
The first one was a shocker (from the bench), the 2nd was just absolutely inexcusable ... fuck, there was only 13 seconds left after the 1st
Not that I'm counting ( I am
), but Our Don Line was even for the game (1 goal for, 1 shorty allowed)
I watched the last goal from the bench as well, with 30 seconds left, as the other team came in 3 on 0, and our 5 skaters on the ice just
kind of said a collective "Fuck It" and watched our goalie make 2 saves before giving up the 5th goal
I had suggested about 40 seconds prior that we pull the goalie ... maybe we should have just to spare him
EDIT: It just dawned on me, that these posts shouldn't be in " Rootbeer Hockey"
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
