Tag Archives: coaching

Final Thank Yous

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The 2011-12 Edition of the Bantam A Sharks got together for one last time tonight for a quick game of glow-in-the-dark mini-putt and an all-you-can-eat pizza party.  I took some time to thank each one of the girls for their efforts and offered a quick anecdote or remembrance that stuck in my mind for this or that player from what now seems like a relatively whirlwind year.  I also gave them a pic we took during before a game in our league division finals that was pretty representative of their combined carefree attitude (off the ice). I enhanced it a little with some of their accomplishments and our pre-game reminders of what they need to do to win.  I left plenty of room for them to sign their names, numbers or whatever else they chose – a one page year book if you will.  And write they did, including full paragraphs on the backside of the photos in some cases.

In return, one of our player’s grandfathers was commissioned to create a sketch of the team at our bench during a game; a keepsake I will display proudly above the mantle for the foreseeable future.

The thanks I received tonight from players and parents brought the entire season into quick and simple perspective.  I believe for most, I delivered the positive minor hockey experience they should expect and deserve – an experience which will hopefully be looked back upon fondly as they move forward on or off the ice.  For all my fretting and more than a few sleepless nights, I’ll miss this group and I’m glad I can say that.

#imahockeydad

A Brief Lull in the Action

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We’re in an odd sort of stage of the hockey year; hence my recent silence.

The Boy’s season is long-since over with a final team party at a local watering hole in a couple of nights.  Though he’s going to be heading back to the ice for a Junior “A” tryout in a couple of weeks; as much for the experience as anything else.  No doubt more on that to come.

On the Devil’s side, once the league playoffs are over, which prematurely occurred for us a few weeks back, there is a month delay until the Provincial Championships start. For some teams, who exited earlier than we did this can mean 5-6 weeks without meaningful games before having to hit the ice for a relatively important tournament.  Hell, even the NHL is off for nearly a week.  I hope I don’t start shaking uncontrollably or speaking in tongues.  We have had a bunch of practices over the last couple of weeks, but that’s just not the same.  Even though we finished our league play with two losses, the Sharks had established some pretty good momentum.  The Provincials start this weekend. All of the competition is sure to be stiff, but we’ll see who’s able to rev the intensity back up in a hurry. There will be plenty of teams who feel they have something to prove.  In an initial three-game round robin format over two days, a team’s fate can be determined pretty quickly so it will be important to motivate them in a hurry.

One bit of added incentive for our girls and those from other centres is that tryouts for next year will begin just a short while after this season-capping competition. All will be acutely aware they are not only trying to win the Provincials; they are also potentially auditioning for a future coach tucked away strategically in the stands.  Our association’s coaches for next season were actually assigned well before our league playoff series was done, so those auditions have been going on for a while. The Devil has already commented about feeling the judgmental eyes following her during one particular game; one in which she did score on a power-move to the net this soon to be just-a-hockey-dad-again might proudly, if not slantedly, add.  She will have her work cut out for her being the youngest in a three-year midget division next year.  No doubt more on that to come as well.

All said we should be able to get a rest in about a month’s time.  Then, depending on the coach, it’s off to dryland training or summer skating in preparation for 2012-13.  I said “brief lull”, not “full stop”.  Did I start this by complaining about too much or too little hockey?  Such is the fickle rink life.

#imahockeydad

The Worst Score in Hockey and The Semi-End of a Glorious Run

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I believe I’ve allowed myself nearly enough time to grieve what I deem to be the Sharks’ premature exit from their surprising Cinderella run.  But it still stings when I consider we gave up 2-0 leads in two consecutive games; either one of which would have earned us the lofty title of division champions and secured us a spot in the league finals. I guess Don Cherry knows what he’s talking about when he says 2-0 is the worst score in hockey.  One goal against puts the other team right back in the game, swinging momentum for a second and tying goal which opens the flood gates for a game winner.  Doing it twice in a row is doubly dangerous, which is just what we did.  In fact, taking an early 2-0 lead was our downfall on several occasions this season. For us I’m pretty sure it became something of a psychological barrier we’d need to battle as much as we did the physical competition on the other side of the face-off circle.

As always our two final games were not without their share of dramatics.

In game two we did not help ourselves from taking nine penalties vs. three doled out by the refs to our foes.  Let’s just say our competition’s style of play involves getting under the skin of their opponents.  In the final two periods of the second match they did that quite well.  In fact, all three of the opposition’s goals were scored while we had someone sentenced to the sin bin. While I readily admit most of our penalties were well deserved,  at least three were questionable; particularly based on precedents set earlier in the game by the refereeing tandem. One which irked me in particular was a boarding call which the ref explained to me was made because he didn’t actually see the infraction, but he heard it and saw the result which was an opposing player lying on the ice. Now in my way of thinking, if you don’t see the infraction there should be no penalty called whatsoever. But enough with what could be misconstrued as sour grapes (by readers like my father, in particular, who is quick to rightly point out the referees don’t let in the goals) – we gave up the lead and lost the game; not the officials.  Reducing our time in the box would be a major theme discussed before the final confrontation.

While game two saw many calls go against us, game three included a number of questionable non-calls involving our players being knocked abruptly to the ice pre and post-whistle.  My pleadings around these apparent infractions fell on def ref ears, or in one case, drew an unappreciated smirk from the man in stripes striding across the ice.

In this final game we took our 2-0 lead into the second period, but found ourselves deadlocked at 2-2 entering the third.  During the Zamboni break between the second and third, there was definitely a sense of panic, which I tried to balance with the notion of only having to win a single period pointing out we had won several against this team to date.  I also looked to lighten the mood by reminding the girls to have fun…that this moment was what it was all about and that a few weeks back we would have been very happy to have the opportunity to reach this point.

One incident worth noting came courtesy of the lone rival goaltender. This young lady had throughout the season displayed a flair for the dramatic whenever opponents neared her crease during a stoppage in play.  On more than one occasion she would fling off a glove, toss her stick or once even her helmet.  More often than not she would vehemently jabber at the refs for her protection.  In this particular game in the third period and amidst a 2-2 tied score, one of our players was pulled down from behind on a partial breakaway (which did result in a penalty) and found herself sliding into the fragile keeper. What followed was a fifteen minute delay as the goaltender lay semi-motionless on the ice.  Now, I don’t want to sound heartless or insensitive, but the collision was not of a particularly violent variety. I’m not saying the goalie wasn’t shaken or possibly hurt, but if that were the case, then she should have been removed from the game; problem being she was the lone netminder. And so, after a lengthy delay, she shook off her ill effects and the game resumed – our side with the man advantage and their side well rested to kill it off.  To that point in the final frame we certainly had controlled the balance of the play.  But alas, we missed this opportunity to capitalize on the chance afforded us.

Unfortunately, a power play goal for the other team would prove to be our death knell as our rivals put the proverbial nail in our coffin with just over five minutes left to play with a shot from the high slot that weaseled its way to the twine. Our charges would continue to battle to the end, but not find the back of the net with an overtime-forcing equalizer.

Post-game, post-series my assistant coach and I let the team know we were very proud of their efforts; having battled to a division final game three after limping through the regular season at the back of the pack.  We always knew they had the potential for greatness and that is still the most frustrating part. Even though making it as far as we did was an impressive turnaround, I still believe we were the better team and should have won the series.  And a good part of the blame for not being able to preserve 2-0 leads has to fall in the coach’s lap.  So maybe I’m not quite done grieving and will spend a good part of the next week or so going over what we could have done differently in either of those two final games to coax our way through to victories.

However, the lamenting will have to end quickly as we have yet to battle through a Provincial Championship tournament to close out the year.  The crafting of the tournament is a little questionable as some teams from populous regions have to jump through several hoops to qualify while others gain automatic entry if they’ve no suitable competition within their zone. That being said, a good representation of teams from the entire province, including many from our region will be present.  Making it through to the top of this tourney will be no small feat.  So we have a couple of weeks to prepare with some practice time and perhaps an exhibition game of two mixed in.  I might suggest we start any exhibition games with at least the premise of a two-goal lead and perhaps on the penalty kill since it would seem this is where we need the most preparation.

#imahockeydad

Pre-Game Jitters

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Heading into game two of a three game division championship series with a one-game lead in our pocket, I laid awake for well over an hour last night running through our first victory in my head.  A win secured by hustle, determination and some great goaltending. Game two will require more of the same.  Here again at 6am this morning, I beaten the clock to the strike of 5 to rehearse my pre and post-game comments; wanting to deliver simple, consistent messages around maintaining the momentum which has propelled us to this point. I chuckle to myself as the coach of a Bantam A level girls team wondering what it must be like for coaches at much higher levels when it comes down to crunch time. Those guys either don’t sleep at all or more likely reached their lofty posts based on the volume of ice coursing through their veins. I’m betting it’s a little of both as few could quell the ever-present human factor.

Superstition is nearly keeping me from posting this brief reflection, however, my young charges’ efforts over the past few weeks have supplied me and I believe them with ample confidence to advance to the final round, which seemed pretty distant before we started our little playoff run.  Proof again that success, confidence and momentum go a long way in any sport, as they do in life.

Going back to pre-season tryouts (seemingly ages ago), I advised my squad’s then hopefuls that being nervous was a positive sign marking the importance of their personal task and desire to reach their goal of making the team.  Another sage life lesson – If you’re not a little nervous, it doesn’t matter enough to you.  So though we’re not presently competing for the Stanley Cup or an Olympic gold medal, I should heed my own advice and be pleased with the few dreamless hours I’ve been giving up of late.

#imahockeydad

Playoff Tales – Falling a Bit Behind While Charging Forward

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The Boy and the Devil’s teams are both well into their playoff schedules taking my better half and I wildly off in all directions.  Including a trip to the drug store to pick up bleach for da Boy’s playoff hair; an annual tradition on most teams the kids have been on. Other boys have gone the mohawk or mullet route all in the name of good fun and team spirit.  The girls, for their part, have gone with strips of blue in their locks.

hockey hair

The Boy’s team unfortunately made a relatively quick departure from the provincial championship round; though they put up a valiant effort going out in four games.  They fell behind a good, if not overly cocky team, in the first round; a function of finishing lower in the regular season standings than they probably should have. They battled through two initial losses staving off a sweep, but found themselves relegated to what’s pejoratively known as “The Toilet Bowl” or regional playoffs.

At the Midget level, there are several players who may be participating in their final year of hockey so for some the games at this level may be the last of the competitive hockey careers. Some may move on to play college, university or Junior level, but others may not have the talent or interest to carry on.  This fact brings an extra level of challenge to playing any team you face where you have players looking to go out in a blaze of glory.  Couple that with dangerously high levels of teenage male testosterone and you have a potentially explosive cocktail on ice.

Such was the case in the Boy’s most recent series against a rival to the North.  On paper, the boys faced a squad they should have been able to handle quite easily. However, a two game scoring drought, some questionable refereeing and a hot goalie actually saw the good guys facing elimination. The lads would battle back pushing a normally five game series to a sixth match, which is when it all got a little ugly.  On the scoreboard, the Boys were able to open up a 4-1 lead heading into the third period of the deciding game. With the contest and series out of reach for the other side, a parade to the penalty box commenced.  The losing side’s reserves dwindled down to just a couple of players as one by one they were ushered off the ice after an extra jab of the stick, elbow to the head or wild swinging left arm – not exactly what you would call hockey or good sportsmanship.  The game would end unceremoniously with one of their players exiting the penalty box only to make a bee-line towards one of our defencemen.  Sensing the oncoming wrath, our player braced and knocked his assailant to the ice. Said assailant jumped up looking for another victim which happened to be the goaltender standing innocently nearby as the buzzer sounded to end the game.  The now crazed combatant flung himself at our keeper in a flurry of fists which fell meekly on the netminder’s well padded blocker and gloved hands.  Seeing the attack, another of our players strode in to provide assistance. The skirmish was really much ado about nothing.  Meanwhile, another sour opponent, who had been a chippy player all series, took it upon himself to rush at our players’ bench as the clock ticked down to zero – another classless move. The referees were somewhat able to restore order.  Handshakes were exchanged with a few remaining and thankfully more civilized players from the defeated side.  One such player actually commented to my hockey-wife/trainer that his teammates were “psycho”. She told him she was sorry he and a couple of others had to be part of that. On to series two for what should be something less akin to the WWE.

Unfortunately, as I write this the Boy’s are already down two games to none in their next series, facing elimination in game three. This is a particularly interesting round from the Boy’s perspective as one of his best friends, a former school and teammate from when we lived in another town, plays defence for the opposing squad. His friend has been a visible agressor who’s gained no fans on our side. Both games so far have been much more pleasurable to watch versus the previous gong show; though the outcomes have not been favorable with 3-0 and 4-3 losses.  In both contests, our lads have actually seemed to be the more skilled side or at least have had more scoring opportunities. That being said, they’ve been consistently knocked around by an aggressive group of opposing competitors; with the Boy’s buddy leading the charge. Our guys will certainly need to make the most of their opportunities and push back a little more in their next game if they hope to advance.

– – –

Meanwhile, the playoff story so far on the girls’ side has been wild and unpredictable; so not all that different from what we’ve experienced all season. My troupe of young ladies are actually in two playoff series for two different regions at the same time.  One is for their regular league championship while the other is a playdown to see who will represent our region in the provincial championships in April.  Having posted a meek, albeit misleading, regular season record of 3-11-8 they are decided underdogs in both series.

By finishing in last place on the league side, the girls would draw daunting task of having to play the number one team in the division.  As it turns out this same number one team had a scintillating record of 18-1-3.  In a best out of three scenario, we would have to beat our first round counterparts twice as many times as they’d been beaten all year. That being said, we had competed with this and so many other teams that a ray a hope shone through in a short series scenario. One of their coaches did us a bit of a favour as he was overheard telling his players that the only reason they had been able to come back and beat us in a previous match was because we were “just a last place team.”  A slight like that was not lost on me.  I quickly related the same comment to our players hoping it would incite and enrage them to new heights of competitiveness.  Unfortunately, the erstwhile ray of hope was fleeting and my incitation seemed to fall on deaf ears to say the least when we opened the round with a 7-0 loss. It was only 3-0 heading into the third period, but then the wheels completely fell off and the rout was on. Not the best of ways to start or build momentum.  Now the chore became larger as the two games we needed to win became of the consecutive variety.

Before game two I did what I could to buoy the team’s spirits; letting them know I had not yet seen a plump lady enter the building as yet. This series was hardly over.  Their fate was in their hands. Only they could reverse their fortunes. The coaching staff had every confidence they could because that was what needed to be said.  The second match started with a decidedly negative tone as one of our opponents managed to dipsy-do her way around all five of our players on the ice, depositing the puck in the back of the net with only a few ticks off the clock.  Not at all the start we wanted.  However, I stuck to my shift-by-shift mantra, imploring our players to keep fighting. And fight they did, eventually tying the game at 1s heading into the third period. With unwavering effort and dogged determination the home side would take and hold a 2-1 lead to tie the series at one game apiece. To say the visiting team was crestfallen would be a significant understatement. As mentioned, this represented only the second league loss they had endured to this point.

Handing the league leaders only their second loss would have one of two effects.  A truly elite team would come back harder than ever or a team with a questionable foundation might not be able to bounce back. We naturally hoped for the latter.  I decided to try to use the the other coach’s words against him again; only this time I would put marker to paper and hang a poster in our dressing room as a constant reminder of the opponents misguided opinion of our charges’ abilities.  In my pre-game attempt at psychological warfare I told the team I had two words for the enemy coach “BULL SHIT” as I scribed a giant B and S over the dastardly quote. The theatrics were perhaps a bit much for tender young ears (or who am I kidding when it comes to 13 and 14 year olds these days?)  but I believe I succeeded in at least grabbing their attention. I also made a half-pledge to tape the offending poster to the other team’s door following a win for our side.  A promise I knew I might regret should we have the success we desired.

The game was a back and forth affair with our side striking first with what I’ve come to call a beautiful, ugly, garbage goal; of which our ladies have become adept at scoring.  In girls hockey putting the puck on the net and then driving hard after it is never a bad strategy.  We would hold the lead through the first two periods, reconvening in the dressing room for a final chat before the final 15 minutes.  I untaped two corners of the poster to indicate we were halfway to the promised land. The next quarter hour seemed like an eternity.  To begin with, we played a good part of it with at least one player in the penalty box.  The game would be tied with about six minutes left; an opportunity for our players to fold up their tents, lose momentum and cede victory to the first placers.  However, their demeanor on the bench remained resolute. They simply talked about turning the match back in their favour. Then with only four minutes left a 2-on-1 advantage ended with one of our forwards sending a lazer shot over the outstretched glove of the opposing goalie. The bench erupted along with the parents in the visitors perched in the stands above. The final challenge between us and a huge upset was a lopsided 5-on-3 penalty kill for 90 seconds of the final two minutes of the game. Our carousel of three players somehow hung on amidst a frantic onslaught by the desperate home team.  The final buzzer mercifully sounded. The visitors bench re-erupted. Our underdogs’ incredible comeback was complete.  Hockey’s David took down Goliath.  Post game handshakes were marked with a distinct dichotomy of ear-to-ear grins and streaming tears. The mood in our dressing room was unsurprisingly euphoric.  I, of course, was exhorted to honour my pledge to give the poster a new home; however, I was able to convince them otherwise in the interest of good sportsmanship. Instead, the poster was signed by each player to become a banner for future series.  It will be hung in every dressing room along the journey moving forward.

the poster

Moving forward, as mentioned, also includes our Provincial qualifying series.  After a 3-0 win yesterday, the Sharks have moved into a two game lead in a best out of five series.  Perhaps most importantly was the shutout recorded by one of our two goaltenders who has been challenged both physically and mentally of late as she has dropped a few games in a row including the 7-0 decision in our other series.  In her defence, the team has not played particularly well in front of her.   My concern has been what appears to be a bit of a vicious circle. 3-0 last night was just what the hockey doctor ordered.

Next up is round two of league playoffs where we’ll look to ride the crest of a now four-game winning streak. Yes, one more win than we were able to secure through the entire regular season. That fact is not lost on me by any stretch.  But like we said at the start, the playoffs represent a whole new season where inadequacies of the past can quickly become faint memories in the bright light of present success.  Onwards and upwards we go with plenty of hockey still to play.  BELIEF, which the girls now seem to have in abundance, can surely take them a long way. So I will keep preaching that important B word, combined with the occasional S, when and where necessary.

#imahockeydad

It’s All in the Timing

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While the Devil and my girls’ team befuddle wishful onlookers and coaches with awesome efforts lacking in desired results, the Boy’s team appears to have hit its stride at about the right time. They’ve turned in a string of successful outings dating back to their International Silver Stick Qualifier tournament a way up north we weekend before last.  I didn’t make that trip as duties called with the ladies squad closer to home, but by all accounts they took their game to another level.

As it turned out, the tournament they entered was primarily made up of teams a level above them (AA). However, they reportedly more than held their own in opening the festivities with a 2-0 win over an undoubtedly shocked host side. They followed that up with a 2-2 ties against yet another AA opponent as the Boy himself counted the tying marker on a shorthanded break. Their third game before the only actual “qualifying” match they would have came against a known powerhouse from the local AA league. Again, the lads held their own in only trailing 1-0 after two periods. They would eventually succumb in a 4-0 loss, however, they were commended by their foes’ coaches on their performance.  Someone was said to have commented that they did not play like “just an A team”; welcome praise indeed.  Finally, in the qualifying game they had made the nearly three hour trip to play, they walked over their opponent in a 4-0 victory, securing a spot in the Silver Stick a few weeks down the road.  I unsurprisingly won’t be able to make that trip either as the Devil has a couple of games of her own on the designated weekend.

Since the tournament last weekend, the Boys have continued their positive play securing wins over a team ahead of them in their league standings and a lesser light they needed to beat which they did quite handily scoring three times in the first four minutes.  At this point in the season they need to keep their momentum as they try to move their way up the ladder and improve their playoff seeding.  Yup, playoffs are just around the corner.  Here we are the week of Christmas and between the two we’ll be at the rink a total of nine times in six days.  The clock ticks quickly once you hit December – or really any time for that matter.

#imahockeydad

Psychological Balancing Act

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I’ve had perhaps my most challenging couple of days as a hockey coach this weekend as an unforecasted storm was unleashed in the dressing room of my girls’ team during a local tournament.

I first started seeing some cracks in our teams’ communal armour a little over a week ago when I noticed a couple of players conducting their pre-game warm up and preparation away from the rest of the team. As the players are 13 and 14 years old, I had decided to give them the freedom to conduct their pre-game stretching and rituals on their own, with minimal supervision assuming they would fall together in lock step. However, some felt others were not following the team line. I tried to address the situation at the time by reminding the players of the importance of an all for one and one for all attitude; the importance of playing and acting as a team.

A second pre-game issue involved head-high shots being fired at our goaltenders. The purpose of these shots is to warm the goalies up; give them a chance to get used to the feel of the puck. But they don’t want to feel it up around their noggins. Players launching the questionable salvos argued they were only trying to work on their shots, but failed to realize this practicing should not happen a mere 10 feet in front of the keeper. We suggested if they needed practice is should be done from well out above the faceoff circles. Even some parents in the stands (not only those of the netminders) raised issue with the proximity of these shots out of concern for player safety. We had tried to talk through the whole situation in a previous practice, but our discussion seemed to have fallen on a few deaf ears.

I found out quickly divisions within the team were drawn a little deeper than I realized. Factions had apparently formed over the last several weeks centred around a couple of particularly strong personalities. I knew from the beginning that managing different personalities came with the territory, but I admittedly underestimated how divisive these temperaments could be or how quickly they could attack the fabric which holds a team together. I even had one player questioning her position and interest in continuing. Her parents weighed in as well with claims of a long smoldering flame of discontent. I obviously had no idea things had reached such a febrile pitch.

I decided, with some decided trepidation, a frank team meeting was required prior to our next game to air whatever differences had arisen; a meeting I knew had the potential to go sideways with dire results. I was as open and honest as I could be with my players’ delicate psyches again recognizing they are for the most part young, but rapidly maturing adults. I told them the negative stuff had to stop if we hope to have any success as a team. Harsh feelings were visible and verbalized. Then again a lot of good questions and comments were conveyed. At the end I believe we made some progress, though only time will tell. We were able to pull out a victory with a strong effort in the game which followed. And maybe this win along with a few more will serve to heal some wounds. Yet, I know this is a situation we will need to monitor more closely now that some damage has been done.

This is the part of coaching I knew about, but hoped, I would not have to deal with. Even lost a few hours sleep over it.

On the brighter hockey side, the team actually prospered through the turmoil managing to get into the semi-finals of the tourney. That’s where our journey ended this morning as we dropped the semi-final tilt to our oh-so familiar league rivals by a score of 4-2. Here’s hoping the scales weigh more in our favour both on and off the ice from here on in.

#imahockeydad

Ten (G-Rated) Things Overheard on a Hockey Bench

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Standing behind or on the bench as a coach, assistant coach or trainer, Hockey Mom and I have been privy to some interesting comments over the years.  As the Boy and the Devil have gotten older, the quips have become less and less suitable for presentation in mixed company, however, here are a few memorable ones from when they were somewhat younger.

10. “Did you have fun jumping over the boards?” Asked of a teammate who just had her first successful trip over said boards versus being ushered out the traditional ice-level door by an assistant coach/makeshift traffic cop.

9. “What’s the score?”  Obviously posed by a player who was intensely focused on the game, but was perhaps in need of corrective lenses.

8. “That goalie is crazy.” A phrase uttered on more than one occasion by more than one player in reference to more than one apparently anger-ridden or terribly frustrated goaltender rightly opposed to having players enter the forbidden blue ice of the goal crease.

7. “My feet are cold.”  A common complaint issued around 6:45am on weekend mornings in classic, old, rural barns with crisp sheets of black ice in late January.

6. “I know.  I’m sorry.”  Most often heard just after a goal has been scored, a penalty has been served or an unfortunate combination of the two.

5. “Who are we playing?” Asked by the same laser-focused player who from #9 above.

4. “Pass the puck!”  More often than not shouted at players on the ice by teammates on the bench who once they reach the ice have the same phrase shouted right back at them.

3. “What’s your name?” Asked of a player by coach early in the season and beyond the age when names are boldly written in permanent marker strips of masking tape and then fashioned securely to the fronts of helmets as constant reminders for the memory-challenged.  In our defence, behind those masks, they sometimes all look the same.

2. “I can’t see.” Proclaimed by a young lady from behind a cage and through a sea of matted, saliva-covered, half-frozen, dark brown hair, which takes a full two minutes to fix. Then proclaimed again not more than two minutes later after her very next shift.

And my all-time favourite, innocently offered by a  five-year old young lad who was actually little and actually named Johnny:

1. “Coach, I’m not going back out next shift. I really suck at hockey.”

Let me know if you’ve heard any that can top these.

#imahockeydad