It should really be called, women's practice along with non-puck hogging men players from the Silver league. I went with a good attitude, despite feeling in over my head last time. I was promised that there would be more women of my same level there, otherwise, I'm not so sure that I would have tried it again. The British guy who was the goalie last time was our coach. I think he's pretty cool, so no problems there. We had about 5 minutes to ourselves to just skate around and get warmed up. Then we took some shots on goal from the blue line. Yikes! That means slap shot. I was a little off on my aim, but didn't miss the puck, so that went ok. Then we had to do the horseshoe. One quick thing about drills....I can't just jump right in and guarantee success. Usually it takes me several when I go to Skills and Drills on Tuesday, before I feel comfortable. I didn't get a chance on the horseshoe, but I did throw a pass right before the whistle blew and it was horrible. Truly.
Next he wanted us to do a different form of the same exercise. We now had to take turns skating out with the puck, the carrier drops to the skater, then they attack the goal. I skated out, I lost the puck, I botched the drop and had to chase after the puck. Then I made a bad pass. Back in line and Jill is telling me that I did good. One thing really bothers me. When I know that I sucked and someone tells me just the opposite. Next time up, did better, but somehow something didn't go quite right, didn't hang out for the rebound as I was supposed to. Now I'm in temper tantrum mood. It happens in a flash at hockey when I'm surrounded by superior players. I just want to burst out crying and skate off the ice. It sounds so childish, but I get so embarrassed. I feel like everyone is watching me and judging me and asking themselves why I even play hockey and why I have to be their partner. One time I actually did things right and ended up with a goal. I didn't celebrate because our goalie says that is bad form. Really the whole thing is just to warm up the goalie.
The scrimmage had ups and downs. Sometimes on the ice I felt good. Like I was in the right place and did what I was supposed to. Others didn't go so good. I felt out of place and over my head. Ray was there, the guy I met at sticktime. I think others got a little annoyed by him because he was puck hogging. Hey, it was only his second skate that I know of. He'll get with it. Everyone is so quick to judge, that is why I get so nervous. Michelle gave me a compliment, so that was nice.
I actually skated with the puck twice. The first time, the opposite bench yelled at me to be more aggressive. If this had happened at the beginning of the scrimmage, I might have left. By then, I took it well. Later on, Josh the goalie sent me a pass, I skated it all the way in. Despite being forechecked 3 times. I know. Well, the third time it did get away from me, but the other team player passed it back. I took a horrible shot. Cora said good shot...Hate that. Tell me that my skate in was ballsy. Don't compliment my bad shot. Please.
The most interesting thing happened in the locker room. One of the guys from the SK's took the time to talk to me as I was walking out of the locker room. He asked me who we were playing. I explained that I wasn't playing tonight because of a split season so I could also play with the girls. Then he said, It was good playing with you. Blew my fucking mind. After I left I just kept thinking....did he mix me up with someone else? Was he just being really nice? And if he was, why? He doesn't need to be. He plays for the SK's. They move up from Bronze to Silver, make a new team and still kick ass all over everyone.
I want to believe that it was true. That maybe he did see something. A slight glimmer of skill perhaps? I have been working really hard. Mostly I just wonder why he took the time to talk to me. It was really cool of him.
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