Gm 4: Back to .500

by Nick

Two wins in a row, and back to .500 on the season (2-2). We beat team Walker tonight, 7-5 with an ENG to ice it at the end. It's always nice to beat Walker. We've had a mini sort of rivalry with them for a few seasons. It was a back and forth game, with us getting off to a 2-0 start, then falling behind 4-2, then tying it up 4-4, then falling back 5-4 after two. But we fought back in the third and got it done - with some great goaltending from Justin (our main goalie) and some terrific defensive work, particularly along the boards by Eric.

We had 10 skaters tonight, which frankly is perfect. There's something about playing with three-plus lines that it's harder to get in a rhythm even though you're getting more rest. With two full lines, once you acclimate to the pace of the game, I find it's easier to find and stay in a rhythm.

I was chosen to skate the left wing with Frank and Brett tonight. Those guys...they're just good. I spent most of the night alternating between getting in their way and breaking up passes intended for Frank. I even hooked Frank once when he blew past me in the offensive zone and I didn't realize that he was on my team. Nice.

But I got my butt in the way for a screen on one goal, and then I actually scored what ended up to be the game winner. Not a pretty goal, but a goal that I'll certainly take. I got the puck in the slot, about dot-high. Spun towards the right wing side, taking the goalie with me from his right to his left. Took a wrister that would have gone wide, but it deflected off an oncoming defenseman and went in stick side on the goalie. Ugly goal.

So we're through the toughest part of the division on this first rotation, and we're back to .500. We'll take it.

I updated the stats in the upper right box.

Dad had his first chemo cocktail last week. It's a 48-hour protocol, every other week. It took him most of the week to get back to where he's just not feeling lousy. Lovely.