Hockey Diary: Mar. 9/11

It's about three weeks before hockey season ends for me and you'd think things would be slowing down a bit.....but no... and I'm not complaining.

Last night Andrew's atom team had a practice at 7. It was a fun time; there were lots of kids out and I had half the kids on half the ice practicing their skating, shooting, and passing. I had a shoot out drill at the end and told the kids the last one to score had to help me pick up the pucks after practice, but of course that didn't happen! We got home at 8-ish and after putting the kids to bed at 8:30 I headed back to the rink for my own hockey game with the Aces.

More guys were out compared to Monday night, but we still played 8 on 8. Our team won last night 12-6. I helped our team with a few points, but no matter how hard I try I can't get anything going with my Warrior stick! It's not until I pull the Easton stick out at the halfway point, that things start happening for me. Every night is like that!

Remember I said things weren't slowing down? Here's what I mean. Tonight my son's atom team has a game at 6, then we are staying to watch the Sioux Flyers in their playoff game vs. the Thunder Bay Northstars. Tomorrow my son's novice team has a practice, then I'm doing volunteer duty the the Flyer's game as security, and after that we have our own game with the Aces.

Next week is Spring break and there is always a big Northern Bands tournament here during that time. Minor hockey and the Aces have no ice next week but that doesn't mean I have any time off. I'll be reffing. 16 games in 5 days. Then when that's over; it's off to Thunder Bay for my son's novice tournament! It's crazy I know but I absolutely love it.

And finally, my Ottawa Senators went into New Jersey last night and beat the Devils 2-1. On paper it was a total mismatch as Ottawa is 30th in the league and NJ is one of the hottest teams going; they were 22-2-2 since Christmas before last night's game; and on a 9-0 run at home. But my Senators beat them at their own game; playing a stingy defensive style and got two timely goals by up and comer Eric Condra. As usual, our goalie Craig Anderson stood on his head and played great, but what I really liked was Jason Spezza's game. He made a beauty play to set up the game winning goal was a stud on defense a few times, especially when the Devils had about 4 minutes of power play time in the second period; a minute and a half of that was with a two man advantage. Next up is the Florida Panthers on Thursday in Florida. It's a game I expect the boys to win; Florida is in total free fall mode right now.