Gil’s Blog

Unfortunately, not for me though.  A new season of hockey began this week at the Ice Oasis, and I got my doctor’s go ahead to resume playing hockey; so I tried my best to make it to the rink today.  But first, I needed to buy some athletic tape to protect my wrist, and I wanted to buy a back brace for some added support for my back (which wasn’t 100% yet).  I headed to Target after work and stopped by McDonald’s to pick up dinner.  However, there just wasn’t enough time to get everything done in time for my 9:30 game.  Well, atleast I’m all prepared for next week. 

I am a little disappointed that I won’t be able to try out my new hockey stick.  I decided to upgrade from wooden sticks and try out a two-piece stick.  I got the Easton Z-Bubble with tacky grip and a CCM Recchi blade.  I’m switching from the deep curve of an Yzerman blade to a more moderate curve.  Supposedly this will give me a better feel on my backhand side. 

My back had been acting up again, so I skipped out on last week’s game.  So this week, I was dying to get back on the ice.  Short on defensemen, I volunteered to play D this week.  I’m not sure if I was doing my team any favors by playing D though.  Also, having not played for two weeks, the rust definitely showed.  My first shift started off rocky as I fumbled around with the puck the first few times I touched it.   

I finished the day with no points, no shots on goal, and a -2 (with 3 goals against while I was out on the ice).  The only positive thing I did all night was blocking a slap shot, for which I’ve got a nice bruise to show off.  When playing D, I’m still having trouble changing my mindset to defense first, and it cost us.  On one occasion, I gambled and pinched, but unfortunately it was the wrong decision and resulted in a breakaway goal.  That’s one of the tough things about playing D; your mistakes are magnified since they can be very, very costly. 

We scored with 3 seconds left in the game to make the score 4-2; otherwise the game wasn’t really as close as the score would indicate.  On the other hand, the puck just wasn’t bouncing our way.  A few times there were scrambles in front of the opposition’s net with excellent scoring chances that we just couldn’t quite capitalize.  There was even on shot that glanced off the post. 

Down 3-1, we battled back to tie the game in the third period.  But neither team was able to score anymore after that, and we skated to a 3-3 tie.  I was held off the scoresheet but did have three good scoring opportunities.  The best was when I picked up a loose puck from the left faceoff circle, skated to my right around a screen and shot at the wide opening to the goalie’s right as he was sliding to his left.  Unfortunately for me, quick reflexes from the opposition’s defenseman resulted in a blocked shot right in front of the goal line. 

Suns 8, Oasis 3

Both teams for the 10:45 game needed players, so I stuck around for another game.  I suited up for the Oasis, and it was a close game early in the first period.  I played well early on and helped our team get a few scoring chances, but none of them amounted to any goals.  Things began to fall apart in the second half of the first period, and it carried into the second period.  After two periods, we trailed 8-3, and that was the final score as we played a scoreless third period.  I was held off the scoresheet once again, although I did skate pretty well for the night.  Sometimes the puck just doesn’t bounce your way.