May 8, 2009

  • Life and Hockey

    One thing I think about a lot is life, and what exactly keeps me going or wanting to continue the weekly grind to live for the weekend; putting aside my faith and beliefs. The fuel for life is really unique for each person and the drive that keeps it going comes from that uniqueness. I often find myself wondering what is my fuel and uniqueness, but cannot derive an answer. Sports speak a lot to me and have made me development into the competitive person I am with a spirit that refuses to submit or be dominated into defeat. This spirit I have seen most clearly revealed when I play hockey. With three periods of penalties and goals, lessons for life, and one outcome; all these add up to one result: game over. But did I win of lose? It all depends on how you played.

    Practice and Learning How to Play

    The first time I put on skates was because my aunt took me and my brother ice skating. Despite the fact that I held onto the wall and went in circles, it was necessary for me to get a feel for the ice. Time and time again I went ice skating walking around the parameter of the rink, until I finally became comfortable. I don’t remember when it happened, just like I don’t remember my first steps, but I had to start somewhere. Just like in any endeavor in my life, it all started with a first step.

    Learning to play the game of hockey came due to a great friend Frank, who was inspired by his father. We begged our parents as kids, my Dad in my case, to put out for the gear so that we could get out there and have a good one. We played tirelessly for hours from morning until night, when there was no school, from afterschool until dinner time, and day after day starting back in second grade. We learned to puck handle, pass, shoot, but most importantly how to love the game. Blood drawn or no blood drawn, we played. We played regardless of injury, because we loved the game.

    Our first team was comprised of the neighborhood kids and we learned teamwork and how to piss each other off as well as celebrate with great joy. We had a rival team from another area a few streets over that lead to countless games and good times. We eventually formed a team together that would dominate the peewee league all the way through high school leaving golden figurines as reminders of our devotion, dedication, and love for this game.

    Practice was fun, but playing a competitive game is what it is all about…

    Pre-game

    Before the game is even started, the ice is cut, teams are in their locker rooms, the fans – mostly parents - are waiting, and anticipation is in the air. The teams charge out to the ice and begin to warm up and if not already focused for the game ahead, getting their mindset in gear for the battle ahead. There are going to be moments of excitement, disappointment, and eye-opening revelations.

    Much like our parents that planned or didn’t plan for our each one of us to be born, a game to play is set in motion. Strategy, preparedness, and the idea of winning is all that can be thought about in that locker room by each team. The coach there to encourage you, your team there to support and make fun of you, and only a few ticks of the clock before it starts. Let’s go boys, game time!

    First Period

    The face off starts the game as both team silent with all eyes on the center faceoff circle and the refs signal to the goalies if they are ready. It’s more of a formality, because you know weather or not they are ready the glove hand rises into the air and the ref blows the whistle. The puck is dropped and all hell breaks loose. Sticks clash before the puck even touches the surface as the ref throws it to the ice. Emotions, adrenaline, and egos take over as the fight for the puck begins for the next 60 minutes. Hope you ate your breakfast, you’re going too need every calorie to burn if you want to do more than just play; you need to compete to win, just like life.

    The first five minutes of the game sets the mood as both teams get to size the other up and decide how to compete and beat the other team into a pulp and declare domination. The style and layout of the offense and defense is observed much like the scenery of any fantastic view. It may not have mountains, valleys, rivers, or cliffs, but the game play will climb and fall, settle and hysteria, and flow. All while crashing against each other like white water onto rocks. The boards shake, the puck glides, the fans cheer, and the teams are engaged in an epic battle charge to determine who wants it more; in just five minutes this was seen clearly in every game the Oakland Killer Bees played.

    Comfort sets in as this period comes to an end as the game is paced and whether up one goal or down five, it’s still anyone’s game believe it or not. Did you come to play or compete; two periods left, and that is plenty of time to make that legendary come back or to continue to steamroll that your opponent into the pavement while they scream in agony. Two periods to go, and I hope you’re not tired. This was the easy period.

    Second Period

    I’m living the second period right now. I have a grasp of what I have to deal with in life and what is around me. I just need to decide how hard I want to play. I love hockey, so I better play life just as hard.

    “5 minutes for fisticuffs…” “What the hell, he ran into my fist as his helmet flew off on its own. I was clearly skating away! Ref needs to get them glasses checked!”

    “5 minutes for misconduct…” “I better shut my mouth before this ref starts hear how retarded his face looks…”

    I hate the penalty box. Better be on point in life.