Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Almost exactly one year after I started this blog, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!

On April 14th of 2011, I started this blog in an effort to chronicle the journey from the most humble hockey beginnings to scoring a goal in a rec league game. It took me until the first game of my second rec league season, but I've officially accomplished my goal. Tonight I scored a goal and had two assists. We won 3-2 and I had a hand in every goal for our team. It was an amazing feeling. The goal happened in the 2nd period. We were down 1-0 but we had a ton of pressure all game. It was kind of a blur how it happened. I vaguely remember getting the puck in the corner and ringing it around behind the net. Then heading straight to the front of the goal to screen the goaltender. There was a shot from the slot and the goaltender stopped it, but I saw it sitting there in the crease. The goaltender couldn't grab it, and I tried to take a swipe at it but my stick was tied up. I tried again and my stick got free, so I slid the puck into the wide open net. I turned around to hear everyone on my bench cheering and you could probably see the smile on my face from the moon. Such an amazing feeling. I always figured my first goal would be from standing in the crease and cleaning up someone elses garbage. After that, I had all the confidence in the world and ended up getting tons more chances, no goals, but two assists. I hope this is just the first of many games like this. It's so much fun just playing, and it's another level of fun when you actually contribute on the scoresheet and win. Oh, and the guys gave me the game puck.
At first, a year doesn't seem that long, but when I think back to my first free skates at Pickwick, the kids class at Valley Ice Center, my first few stick-times and pick-up games, my first few Sunday night classes at Culver. It's been a really long road and I've met a lot of amazing people along the way. I'm not sure if its this way everywhere, but LA hockey people are some of the most inclusive friendly people I've met. It's an amazing subculture full of people who just want everyone to be part of the magic they found in hockey. I still have a lot to learn, so I dont think I'm going to end this blog now. I'll keep it updated sporadically with things I deem interesting or milestones along the way. I'd also like to keep this blog going so I can encourage anyone else out there who has the desire to try playing hockey but needs an extra little push or some advice on how to get started. Bye for now and thanks for reading.