Game 12

by Nick

We got back in the win column last night with a win over team Sullivan. This is the team that we played the first game after we got promoted to the upper division last season. They hadn't lost in a year and a half to that point and we beat them 4-0. So needless to say they've gotten up for games against us since then.

I was in goal again, and I really felt the benefits of playing consistently. Just stronger, more comfortable going down and moving around, angles solid, positioning and square to the puck without thinking about it...good stuff.

That said, I let in four goals. But we did get the win.

There was some more nastiness, but really it was with just one guy on their team.

We seem to be getting into it with every team in the division...maybe it's us!

Anyway, it was nice to get a win.

Game 11

by Nick

*Sigh*

We started the 3rd rotation through the schedule, which means we played Bronk. We've developed a nasty little rivalry with this team, other than the fact that we can't beat them. We were short-benched again, but were right there until the end when they got an empty netter to seal the deal.

I was in goal for the second straight week and played better, but just needed one more save. One goal in particular bugs me (too deep in the net). Their third (and, ultimately, game-winning) goal was frustrating. It was a shot from the point (by their best player) that was spinning end-over-end and dipped on me. It hit the bottom of my glove and went in.

Game 10

by Nick

Tough game. We lost 6-4, with an empty net goal against. I was in goal, and had at least one goal where I made a mistake that led directly to the goal.

The guys played well in front of me, but we only had 3 defensemen, and they just got gassed - what can you do?

Anyway, I'm back in the cage the next two Mondays in a row, so hopefully I can get into a groove.

Game 9

by Nick

Second game this season against our arch rivals Walker. We won, I think the final score was 6-2. I say I think because I didn't see the final 6 minutes of the game. My line (the checking line last night - we had a full bench, three lines of forwards, and so I get relegated to my proper station which is playing in a checking role) had been having a very good shift, actually cycling the puck deep in Walker's zone, even creating what might be called a couple chances if one is inclined to use a loose definition of the word "chance". So I was in the slot and our defenseman had the puck on the right corner, I was getting in position to screen the goalie and I got hit on the back of the head, then the next thing I knew I was lying on the ice.

After piecing it together, we think their defenseman hit me in the back of my head, then I went down and hit my face mask on the ice. I don't have a Pierre-Marc Bouchard, but I do have a headache (still). No big deal. The guy got a penalty, their captain came into our room after the game to apologize. It was just too bad because we were playing our best shift of the game.

Anyway, we won, it was a fun game, and now I think we're 2-0 against Walker this season - which makes you wonder why we still consider them a rival. Maybe it's because they do stupid shit like hitting guys in the back of the head?

Gms 7 & 8

by Nick

We've now suffered a couple losses in a row.

Game six we iced 8 skaters (normal attrition and two guys suspended from the Bronk game) and we were actually winning 4-2 in the 3rd before our legs died. The other team, as luck would have it, had about 20 guys on the bench.

Game seven I was back in goal, and we just didn't have it. Unlucky goals, clearing attempts that took a bad bounce and ended up with a 3-on-0 coming back at me, guys picking corners they had no business picking...ugly.

We've been struggling to get a full bench to games. We picked up EJ, who has played for us before, and he's a great player. That will help.

Gm 6

by Nick

I was out of town for game 5, which we won, so $25 more dollars in the kitty!

Game six I was back in net, and we started the second time through the rotation (6-team division) which meant we played Bronk again. They always seem to bring out our claws - and we theirs. Really it's just one guy on their team who plays defense.

On this night he was sticking his knee out as a means of playing defense, which understandably upset some of our players. Finally Brett had enough and, instead of jumping around his knee trying to save his own knees, Brett just went through the guy. This guy always does this to us - gets us all worked up. This was late in the third and we were losing - so good strategy by the guy, taking our best player off the ice. The guy, Brett and Merkley were booted. We actually tied it up, then went up one, but then they tied it. We ended up with a 7-7 tie.

So, to review, I WAS IN GOAL. 7 goals against is never the sign of a good night. I was thrilled not to get hung with a loss - even though I deserved it. At the end of the first period I had 2 saves.....and three goals against. I ended up with 18 saves for the entire game. Not my best effort.

I just can't go a few weeks in between appearances in net without a serious drop off in my game - such as it is to start with.

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.

Gm 3: We Win!

By Nick

We got our first win of the season tonight, and I was in goal, to boot.

Both teams only had nine skaters, and it was a close game, obviously.

I made 33 saves (Patrick Roy), and it was a solid team effort.

Team info

by Nick

I play on Team Merkley (eponymously named after our captain).

We play at the Thomas Creek Ice Arena in Fairport, NY on Monday nights.

To keep track of our results, go here.