Behind the Cage

Whenever I reminisce about playing goal in hockey, I think back to the crazy Frenchman that tended the net in Slapshot. He was, by all accounts, completely out of his mind, both on and off the ice. To a certain degree, you have to be a bit "imbalanced" to want to play a position that:

1. The entire opposing team is out to humiliate.
2. Hard objects are hurled towards you at frightening speeds.
3. An "off" game means that you single-handedly doom your team to failure.

Now, we do need a little perspective here - we're playing men's rec league ball hockey, but even this is not without it's challenges. All the laid back street hockey in the world doesn't prepare you much for performing in front of complete strangers, in a competitive situation, with a finite time limit. We'd play street hockey to 10 goals, which could take 15 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the pace. In this league you've got 50 minutes to work your magic, or alternately, 50 grueling minutes to endure a relentless ass-kicking. Game to game you just never know if you'll be facing a group of weekend warriors or an entire off-season Junior A Provincial Champion squad.

For me, personally, I've been happy with my progression in the few games that I've played goal. In my first game I was nervous, scrambling, and so hot-n-tired that I was on the verge of collapsing before the end of the first period. Since that game I find myself a bit less nervous, but way more confident. My positioning and speed is still a major work in progress, but at least I'm not fighting my own body for endurance.

Also, like most goalies, I'm completely obsessed with my stats. These, I'm happy to report, have absolutely showed signs of progress:

Game 1: Loss, 26 GA, 65 Shots, 39 Saves = 0.600 SV%
Game 2: Win, 10 GA, 42 Shots, 32 Saves = 0.762 SV%
Game 3: Loss, 8 GA, 49 Shots, 41 Saves = 0.837 SV%

Sure, I'd love nothing more than to have a 3 - 0 record, but for the moment I'll be content with statistical progress!

Currently: Starting to hydrate for the game on Saturday. Drink water boys, plenty of water!