Archive for the ‘Hockey’ Category

Geckos 8, Oasis 6

Wednesday, August 29th, 2007

I decided to give my back a rest and skipped out on last week’s consolation game.  I had played hockey for five consecutive weeks, and I didn’t want to push my luck in a meaningless game.  This week was the start of the Fall 2007/Winter 2008 season, and I was assigned to the Geckos.  Some familiar faces that joined me on the Geckos were Ryan Aberg and Dan Brukwinski, who were both on my team from last season and the season before.  Guy Fullerton was a former teammate from a few seasons ago.  And then there was Mark Wilson from a few years ago, but he was out due to a foot injury that he suffered while on vacation.

I think we’ve got a good team this season, but we’ll have to wait and see if the league will break us apart. We dominated most of the game and was ahead 8-4 at one point. I contributed 2 goals on 4 shots on goal. My first goal was actually a busted play. While carrying the puck towards the net, I spotted my teammate trailing the play to my left. However, I made a poor pass and put the puck at her feet. She couldn’t get a solid shot off and it caromed off a defender’s skate. The goalie (Ed McKnight) scrambled to locate the puck, but I found it first. It had bounced to my right, and I had a wide open net to shoot at. My second goal was another one that resulted from being at the right place at the right time. I was trailing the play as my teammate was on a 1-on-1 fast break. He got a shot off that the goalie was able to stop, but I picked up the rebound and flipped it over the goalie’s outstretched glove.

The week off did help my back.  It’s not completely healed, but I was able to skate more aggressively.  My back did get a
little bit sore after the game, but not as bad as after previous games.

Arabian Knights 5, Suns 2

Wednesday, July 18th, 2007

There wasn’t a game scheduled on July 4, but I also missed the July 11 game since I was returning from Canada that day.  The three weeks rest worked wonders for my back, and I had awesome game.  I scored two goals on two shots, had an assist, and was a +1 for the night.  My first goal came while shorthanded.  My teammate Jason and I were on a 2-on-1 fast break.  He drew the defender with him into the corner and passed the puck to me out in front of the net.  I caught the puck and quickly fired the puck past the goalie to put us up 2-0.

For my second goal of the game, which was the eventual game winner, I was once again the recipient of Jason’s grunt work. While battling with the defenseman for the puck behind the net, Jason spotted me in front of the net and passed the puck in between the defender’s legs. I fired quickly and had my second goal of the game.

Jason and I almost hooked up for a third goal.   On another fast break with Jason to my right, he passed me the puck as I was approaching the net.  With my teammate Ryan trailing the play, instead of shooting for a hat trick, I decided to do a one-touch drop pass to him.  The goalie had no chance as Ryan scored an easy one.

Arabian Knights 3, Oasis 4

Wednesday, June 27th, 2007

I promised myself that I would not rush my comeback, so I decided not to play hockey on consecutive weeks just yet.  After skipping out on last week’s game, I decided that the extra week off would be enough of a rest.  It was a good thing I showed up this week, since attendance was light due to it being the 10:45 game.  It was a close game, but the lack of skaters was hard to overcome.  I contributed an assist but was a -2 for the night.

Arabian Knights 5, Road Runners 3

Wednesday, June 13th, 2007

It’s been four months since I last played hockey, and my back still isn’t completely pain free.  I got the go ahead from my wrist surgeon to play hockey two months ago, but I have been waiting for my back to heal ever since.  Not wanting to risk an injury that would put my Peru trip at risk, I decided to wait until after my trip before I returned to the ice.

I had already missed about two-thirds of the season, so I also figured that I better get accustomed to my new Arabian Knights teammates before the playoffs started.  It was either going to be now or never.  I was definitely rusty and out of shape, plus using a new hockey stick didn’t help either.  Furthermore, I was being really careful not to push myself too hard for fear of seriously injuring myself.

OK, enough with the excuses. I actually didn’t do too bad; and I even scored a goal. I broke a 1-1 tie with 7:46 to go in the second period. I was able to pounce on a rebound and knock the puck into the net with a backhand shot. Boy, did that feel good! We kept the lead the rest of the way, and we won the game 5-3. I finished the game with the one goal on three shots and a -1. Not bad at all after a 4 month hiatus.

Back on IR

Thursday, March 15th, 2007

No pun intended.  Just when I thought I was ready to play hockey again, my bad back has landed me back on Injured Reserve.  So, another reason I didn’t play in last night’s game was because my back was still bothering me.  Well, I had a doctor’s appointment today with a Physiatrist, and we went over my MRI.  The MRI revealed that I have two herniated discs that is causing inflammation.  He recommended either getting an anti-inflammatory injection into the affected area or to take some anti-inflammatory pills orally.  So for now, I’m going to try the less invasive course of treatment, and opt for the pills for two weeks.  Especially since the doctor only gave it a 50-50 chance that the injection would work.