Fitting End to the Season

This past weekend was a fitting end to the hockey season, at least for N. A’s season has one more week, where they’ll be vying for the championship. It was also a brutal weekend for mom and dad, but such is the life of hockey parents.

N was in a big tournament and it was a load of fun, if not a lot of work. A had a big game many miles away, which I couldn’t make it to, but we worked things out thanks to KG’s wizardry with organization. On Friday N started his big tourney, and it’s interesting how many parents don’t even blink an eye pulling kids out of school to play hockey. You have to admire that sort of dedication, and I know for sure the kids have no issue with it. Who wouldn’t take traveling to play hockey over school?

N’s team did quite well, going all the way to the championship game. They finally played like a team, with the younger players actually coming to life and doing their part. In the past, many of them just stood out there, but this time they were active and contributed to the game. I can’t even tell you what a difference it makes because usually it’s only 3 or 4 of five players who are playing on the ice, putting N’s team at a significant disadvantage when they play teams where all 5 players are contributing. I was telling one of the coaches that it’s like being on a penalty kill all the team. The defense is working double duty. When the younger players actually become involved, even doing things as simple as skating toward the other player, everything changes.

With this in mind, the team looked good, and as a result, they won all of the games. This tournament has been going on for 10 years, and never once has the home team gone to the championship This was the first year. They lost in the championship game, but it wasn’t that bad, because they had exceeded expectations and played well throughout. Plus, there are some good lessons to be learned from losing.

N had a great series, and I think has grown a lot as a player and a leader. It will be interesting to see him go from being a leading player to a younger player next season, but at least he’ll be reunited with many of his friends who moved up this past season. He said it was sad to see the season end, I think it’s been a good experience for him, and this was the first time I’d heard him say this. In the past it was done and over and he was ready to move on to warm weather activities. I think he sort of liked being a senior player, though his team relied heavily on him.

A also had a big hockey weekend, and it’s not over yet. She had a doubleheader up in New York, and her team formed a caravan to get up there. I couldn’t go because I was busy with the tournament back home, but the games went well, and it’s a good tune-up for their coming championship game, which will be a big one. I think she really enjoyed it because she got to spend the day away from mom and dad and with her hockey buddies, plus they got to play a couple of games and eat pizza and junk food. How can you beat that?

Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to heather McDonald for the pic.