Hockey Fun

[SpiderRat]

I'm probably repeating myself but I feel a need to talk about the joys of playing hockey. It's not even the hockey part that is the best part of the whole experience. It's the friends you make along the way. Sure we all want to win, but hanging out after a game is just as much fun, if not more. This past weekend at the TORHS Winter Nationals, I had a chance to run into some old friends, made some new ones and talked hockey talk for hours and laughed non-stop. I had a chance to play with my old buddy Ying, what a hot shi* he is. I got to play with my best friend Paul R., who I must say is one of the best inline hockey players to play the game, and has been for a number of years now, and room with my teammate and friend Mike H. Man did we laugh. I had the opportunity to watch some great goaltending in Yokes, Bonabonno, Leggett, watched first hand the likes of C.J. and Ronny and the rest of the Cats crew, as well as watching my friends from the RinkRat Bombers win yet another tournament. Great job Coach Al and Captain Lee. I've made life long friends from every corner of this country, Marty M. from VA, Dino from NY, Rob L. from Cali, DCat from Beantown, and all points in between. After you've played as long as I have, you understand that winning isn't everything. It's the players you meet along the way. From Cali to Toronto, hockey players are good people. Sure we have problems on the rink sometimes, but for the most part, that's where it stays. I chose to drive home from Philly instead of waiting for my flight and that gave me alot of time to reflect on this whole hockey thing. Man is this fun stuff or what. The hockey stories we will be able to tell our kids. I guess what I'm trying to say is enjoy your hockey "career". Have fun. Trust me, winning is fun, but the laughs after the game is what you will remember. Enjoy the people around you. There's a new friend at every game. A friend for life.

[TeamBreakaway]

SpiderRat Great post. This is exactly what it's about. Sure it's nice to win but sometimes we just throw a team together just to skate and have fun. That part of the game is being missed so much. Parents pressuring their kids to do better or the bribes for goals will ruin or take the fun out of the sport for the kids. Again Great Post!
Pedro
Nike Team Breakaway
http://www.teambreakaway.com

[SpeedDemon]

Good post. I only had to drive 15 minutes home from the Sportsplex, but it gave me a chance to reflect how many times I got beat this weekend, one minute at a time.

Oh what a game it is!

[yokes]

Great post Roger, knowing how this weekend could have turned out for you, you still found the best in it.

Beware of a goalie that carries three sticks!

[DennyG]

Geez, this is the best thought on The Game that I have come across in a long time...

Locally, we play our Masters/Novice division games tomorrow evening...in contrast to the level of play noted by Spider above, this is the most novice-skill, slow-paced, rec-league play there is...and we all pretty much feel the same as Spider...

Thanks! for reminding all of us -at every level- why we play...

[33]

outstanding post rog! it was great playing with you, paul and darryl again. oh yeah, and that other guy, what's his name?... it was also good to meet and become friends with some of the other guys. i got THE email but i turned it around and now i'm running the senior team at nationals (LOL)

[rinkrat15]

Great post Roger, Ying dont bang up my MVP trophy kid.

National Inline manager for Rink Rat wheels.

[CMc62480]

You hit it right on the head Roger, that's the thing I miss most about not being involved this season. Win or lose, or my case, mostly losing, it was still good to get out on the rink, hit the road, and just enjoy what you're doing. Keep it up fellas. I wonder if any side bets between you and Yokes might be made if the Pats get the Eagles in the Bowl!

[33]

you mean the michael hunt memorial trophy?:)

[yokes]

Im not an Eagles fan, but now if we are talking Flyers-Bruins there might be something there.

Beware of a goalie that carries three sticks!

[synrgyzwife]

Roger, great post!! Great reminder to players and parents that its all about the fun. Its always fun when you're around ;). Thanks for giving my husband props

[SpeedDemon]

Why memorial? Are you implying it is the last time he will receive it? /wtimages/icons/laugh.gif

[RichardGraham]

Hi Roger,

Thanks for the reminder. Sometimes I get a little overwhelmed by inline hockey politics and lose sight of the great things about our sport. Keep having fun; looks like you hit a nerve! /wtimages/icons/cool.gif

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[GROWL]

That's outstanding!!!

[GROWL]

I got to see just about every game working as the PA Announcer and I must say that what impressed me the most all weekend was the play of the PAMA Cyclones. These guys were the new kids on the block and played with so much intensity and heart. I've seen so many pro torhs and narch games and the pace is usually pretty moderate for the most part as both squads tend to feel each other out and play with a mutual respect for each other. These dudes just played balls to the wall and the pedal to the medal against whoever they played. Great to see a team enjoy it so much. Extremely well put!

[33]

they usually make it a memorial after someone has won the award so many times.:)how's the ankle?

[SpiderRat]

No need to make a bet with Yokes. The Eagles are done after this weekend. Jason, I'll send you down a Pats hat. :)

[SpeedDemon]

It's still literally a pain, but a good tape job allows me to deal with it. I hate doctors so I'm ignoring an MRI I should be getting.

Are you playing with Marple this weekend? If so, see you there.

[SpeedDemon]

That's crazy talk!

[33]

yeah i'll be there with an injury myself. maybe we should make sure to cover each other.

[NJCoach28]

I coached for NJ Bullseye in the Pro and Team Rival in the 30+, I must say that Team Rink Rat is the classiest and most fun guys to play against. Also, when Mike Bonadonna made that save with his skate, while on his back, it was cool of you to give him props. The goaltending was outstanding all around this year. Hope to see you guys continue to compete and see you in Boston on Jan 24th.

[33]

mike played unbelievable that game. i was on the other end of that save and i thought i had one. he played great as did the rest of your team. you guys probably deserved to win that one. i thought the senior division would be a little break from the pro division but not the way you guys played in that final. it was a lot of fun.

[rinkrat15]

Agreed, Mike played incredible, thats the bonadonna I remember from years back, As said before the over 30 division is about having a good time, having a few beers and chillin with guys who have been around as long as myself. Dont kid yourself the over 30 division is going to do nothing but get better as the years go on, Hope I am healthy enough to stick and stay. Great effort all around from the old guys, take care, from the

Slightly greying head rat..
Mike

National Inline manager for Rink Rat wheels.

[SpiderRat]

Thanks coach for the props for RinkRat. As far as Mike goes, I believe an inline goalie is always learning. Granted he or she wants to learn. I'm always trying to learn something new and by watching the outstanding job Mike did in net, I certainly walked away with a couple of lessons that night. Talk about control. Like Mike H. and Ying has said, I went into that game thinking that it wasn't going to be as challenging as the pro series. Wrong. That game was probably the most demanding. And the most fun. We all congratulated each other after the game with class, respect and a clear understanding of why we were playing. To have fun. My hat is off to you coach and your team.

[SpeedDemon]

Yeah man. We can replace our sticks with crutches and just lean against eachother in front of the net for support.

Are any of you guys coming out for the game staying in the area overnight? Either way, the team goes back to a bar/restaurant at the Holiday Inn on your way back to the turnpike; you guys are more than welcome to grab a few there, first one on me.

[33]

hey that sounds good. we are not staying the night but i am not opposed to a few before we head back.

[-venom-]

better take him up on the offer right away then, Naz hits about 2 or so then he's out like a light.....

just kidding naz

[SpeedDemon]

Hey, I have to maintain my girlish figure.

[-venom-]

yeah, we'll see how well that holds up in vegas..... haha first 2 are on me ;)

[SpeedDemon]

Trying to one-up me eh? I have a Russian last name; first 3 vodka doubles are on me.

Then I gotta leave.... fast...

[-venom-]

I'll hail the cab for ya!

[33]

yeah, me too!