Tag Archives: minor hockey

And Then There Was One

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Just two days and technically 45 minutes after an epic win to salvage their series, the Boy’s team’s season came to less than dramatic halt on the backside of a 4-2 loss. Momentum from the previous game certainly carried the visiting team through the first two and a half periods of the game. A tied series felt like a real possibility as the boys opened a 2-0 lead with some very dominant play.  A two-nil lead could have just as easily been four-nil as the visiting side was firing on all cylinders.

Then the middle of the came turned out to be a virtual crest in the road. Aggressive play tuned into timid play; particularly in the defensive zone. The entire team seemed to collapse back into their goaltender. The home team became the aggressor after scoring their first goal. While the Boy and his teammates never gave up, they certainly seemed to back down (or at least back up).  The home team, already up four points to two in the six point series, finished the second period with a 3-2 lead. The boys had 15 minutes to square the score, which would have kept their season dimly alive. But another goal by the home side, quickly deflated already fragile spirits.  Play in the rest of the period was noticeably desperate and panicked. The crowd got quiet as we too could feel the game, series and season slipping away.

An opposing penalty and resulting power play opportunity in the last two minutes of the game provided one last ray of hope. The goalie would be pulled to create a six on four player advantage, which would in turn provide a couple of scoring chances. However, the soon-to-be victors keeper held strong to preserve the win. 

The game/series, which had its fair share of animosity, unfortunately ended on a sour note with a late penalty then a game ending skirmish. The refs, to their credit, were quick to dissipate the situation. At the end of any series, good or bad, a time-honoured tradition has the combatants shake hands in a show of good sportsmanship. In a show of poor sportsmanship, one of the victorious coaches chose to not shake hands with his counterparts – not the right message to be sending to a group of 15 and 16 year old boys. 

In quick retrospect, our group of boys had a pretty good yet that provided a lot of unique tests of individual and team character.  While they didn’t achieve all of their goals, I think some of them learned and grew – most of them enjoyed their time with this team. They and we all have a substantial store of good and bad memories.

Now the focus turns back to the Devil, who is still wrapped tightly in two exciting series – the first of which resumes in a couple of days. Just enough time to take a breath and ease some shaky nerves. With all the talk of two long seasons, I’m still not ready to see them both end.

#imahockeydad

And Then There Was One

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Just two days and technically 45 minutes after an epic win to salvage their series, the Boy’s team’s season came to less than dramatic halt on the backside of a 4-2 loss. Momentum from the previous game certainly carried the visiting team through the first two and a half periods of the game. A tied series felt like a real possibility as the boys opened a 2-0 lead with some very dominant play.  A two-nil lead could have just as easily been four-nil as the visiting side was firing on all cylinders.

Then the middle of the came turned out to be a virtual crest in the road. Aggressive play tuned into timid play; particularly in the defensive zone. The entire team seemed to collapse back into their goaltender. The home team became the aggressor after scoring their first goal. While the Boy and his teammates never gave up, they certainly seemed to back down (or at least back up).  The home team, already up four points to two in the six point series, finished the second period with a 3-2 lead. The boys had 15 minutes to square the score, which would have kept their season dimly alive. But another goal by the home side, quickly deflated already fragile spirits.  Play in the rest of the period was noticeably desperate and panicked. The crowd got quiet as we too could feel the game, series and season slipping away.

An opposing penalty and resulting power play opportunity in the last two minutes of the game provided one last ray of hope. The goalie would be pulled to create a six on four player advantage, which would in turn provide a couple of scoring chances. However, the soon-to-be victors keeper held strong to preserve the win. 

The game/series, which had its fair share of animosity, unfortunately ended on a sour note with a late penalty then a game ending skirmish. The refs, to their credit, were quick to dissipate the situation. At the end of any series, good or bad, a time-honoured tradition has the combatants shake hands in a show of good sportsmanship. In a show of poor sportsmanship, one of the victorious coaches chose to not shake hands with his counterparts – not the right message to be sending to a group of 15 and 16 year old boys. 

In quick retrospect, our group of boys had a pretty good yet that provided a lot of unique tests of individual and team character.  While they didn’t achieve all of their goals, I think some of them learned and grew – most of them enjoyed their time with this team. They and we all have a substantial store of good and bad memories.

Now the focus turns back to the Devil, who is still wrapped tightly in two exciting series – the first of which resumes in a couple of days. Just enough time to take a breath and ease some shaky nerves. With all the talk of two long seasons, I’m still not ready to see them both end.

#imahockeydad

Must Win Thrillers

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The last three games, in the last three nights, all must-wins for the Devil and the Boy, have provided as much drama for the players, coaches and especially we spectators in the stands as nearly the whole year combined.  Ya just gotta love playoff hockey.

Two nights ago the Devil and her mates played their latest game against their closest rivals, having already lost the first game in a best-out-of three series which will determine who gets to go on to play in the provincial championships.  The girls played what could best be described as a bend-but-don’t-break game that saw them score the first and only goal half-way through the second period. Our goalie, not unlike other games this year, “stood on her head”; pushing away several good scoring chances from the other side.  On one shot in particular that had its sights on the bottom stick side of the net, she instinctively threw out her right leg, just barely getting her toe in the way of the oncoming puck. On the bench for this game, I watched a great deal of it behind splayed fingers, as did many of the onlookers in the stands I’m sure. But in the end the girls prevailed, sending the series to a game three back at the same foreign rink in exactly one week’s time.

Cut to last night, where the Boy’s team turned the drama up a few notches. I almost don’t know where to start describing this third game of a six point series, which had our team facing elimination with a loss.  To start, the team would be dressing only ten out of 15 skaters as they dealt with two season-ending injuries, one two-game suspension from earlier in the series, one player on a family vacation in Florida and one competing in the provincial high school cross-country skiing championships. One of the ten dressed skaters had injured his wrist lifting weights in gym class earlier in the day and the other had injured his shoulder in the previous match.  The player with the injured shoulder would only sit on the bench as an emergency backup should someone be needed to serve a ten minute misconduct penalty (crafty little coaching move, indeed). The team was shorthanded to say the least.

But it gets worse. The hockey gods seemed to be frowning.  One on the nine players who was capable of skating realized just before the game started that he had a broken skate. He was lucky to be able to borrow a pair from a team coming off the ice from a previous game.  So we started the game with a hodge podge of forwards and defencemen.  The opponents, with a full bench, no doubt salivated at their prospects for a win.

The Boy and his rag-tag side had other ideas. They came out aggressive right off the hop. The Boy was able to split the D on a rush in the first couple of minutes. He was hauled down, crashing into the net with the puck in tow. At first, we in the crowd thought we witnessed a quick goal, but instead the ref called a tripping penalty; giving the Boys their first powerplay opportunity. They would not score early, but would dominate play for much of the game.  As the other team scrambled, their goalie and defence were forced to knock the net off its moorings on at least four occasions. On the last of these, the Boy threw the puck into a dislodged net – another goal disallowed, but the Boy and his mates mock-celebrated to let the visitors know they were going to keep coming.

Then the break came as the home team was fighting off a penalty. The Boy pressured an opposing defenceman into turning over the puck.  He scooted in behind him and broke towards the goalie with the startled defenceman in hot pursuit.  He was able to throw the puck up an over the goalie’s left shoulder to establish a one-goal lead.  Now the challenge would be squarely on the nine, exhausted skaters for the remainder of the second and the entire third period. Hockey mom did her part, by ordering in a round of energy drinks to boost the psychological, if not, the physical spirits of the young warriors.

With all the adversity they’d faced to this point, what else could possibly go wrong? How about another broken skate at the start of the third period; this time on the foot of a different defenceman.  The only option, it seemed, was on the foot of the tenth penalty emergency player. His skate was subsequently transferred to where is was needed more. The newly equipped defencemen was able to rejoin the team after a quick “pit stop”.

The final event in this multi-act play was a collision between the Boy and an opposing player in the corner of the rink. The Boy went down in a heap. The trainer was summoned to do a quick assessment; before calling on a couple of other players to pick the Boy up and escort him back to the bench, reportedly with a fair stream of drool running out of his cage. All the while, the crowd looked on as both teams got something of a rest prior to finishing the last half of the final frame. The Boy would shake off the hit and return a couple of shifts later.

Scoring chances would be exchanged in the dying minutes. The Boy’s goaltender came up big on more than one occasion. The good guys held on to their painfully slim margin for the victory. Victorious, nine players and a backup goalie poured onto the ice to celebrate.  Another must-win game four is tomorrow night;  back in the bad guys’ playground.

Finally, cut to tonight and the last of three consecutive critical games. This time the Devil’s team was taking on the first-place squad from the regular season who had already won game one 2-0 at home. A first-place squad who only lost 4 out of 22 regular season games. The home side certainly had their work cut out for them.  But they’ve proven in the past that they can play against strong opponents.  And play they did. They battled hard the entire contest. Without looking at the stats, I would guess that they were outshot; our goalie shone again in behind her embattled crew.

As in the past two evenings, the game would be decided by a single goal coming on a seemingly harmless shot by the Devil towards the end of the second period, followed by a scramble for the puck in front of the goalie.  One of the Devil’s line-mates was able to poke the puck past, through, over and/or under the sprawling goalie. It was difficult to determine how exactly the puck found its way into the net, but that’s where it ended up; delivering an early death knell to the visitors. Once again, the home team would fight tooth and nail to preserve a win and to play another day. Another victory huddle would form around the winning tender.  This series will end, one way or another, this coming weekend. Both teams now know it’s anybody’s game.

There you have it. Three identical 1-0 decisions in three nights have sprouted a few more gray hairs on my aging noggin. These kids and their teams may have very well knocked a couple of days off my life expectancy. But I wouldn’t change it for the world. The post-game jubilation I’ve witnessed on the ice is worth every chewed fingernail. The high-fives and fist-bumps I see other parents exchanging tells the same story.  We’re all proud of the efforts our players are putting in; particularly when their backs have been against the wall.  Keep it up all ye young hockey soldiers.  We’re gonna keep cheering you on as best we can.

#imahockeydad 

Must Win Thrillers

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The last three games, in the last three nights, all must-wins for the Devil and the Boy, have provided as much drama for the players, coaches and especially we spectators in the stands as nearly the whole year combined.  Ya just gotta love playoff hockey.

Two nights ago the Devil and her mates played their latest game against their closest rivals, having already lost the first game in a best-out-of three series which will determine who gets to go on to play in the provincial championships.  The girls played what could best be described as a bend-but-don’t-break game that saw them score the first and only goal half-way through the second period. Our goalie, not unlike other games this year, “stood on her head”; pushing away several good scoring chances from the other side.  On one shot in particular that had its sights on the bottom stick side of the net, she instinctively threw out her right leg, just barely getting her toe in the way of the oncoming puck. On the bench for this game, I watched a great deal of it behind splayed fingers, as did many of the onlookers in the stands I’m sure. But in the end the girls prevailed, sending the series to a game three back at the same foreign rink in exactly one week’s time.

Cut to last night, where the Boy’s team turned the drama up a few notches. I almost don’t know where to start describing this third game of a six point series, which had our team facing elimination with a loss.  To start, the team would be dressing only ten out of 15 skaters as they dealt with two season-ending injuries, one two-game suspension from earlier in the series, one player on a family vacation in Florida and one competing in the provincial high school cross-country skiing championships. One of the ten dressed skaters had injured his wrist lifting weights in gym class earlier in the day and the other had injured his shoulder in the previous match.  The player with the injured shoulder would only sit on the bench as an emergency backup should someone be needed to serve a ten minute misconduct penalty (crafty little coaching move, indeed). The team was shorthanded to say the least.

But it gets worse. The hockey gods seemed to be frowning.  One on the nine players who was capable of skating realized just before the game started that he had a broken skate. He was lucky to be able to borrow a pair from a team coming off the ice from a previous game.  So we started the game with a hodge podge of forwards and defencemen.  The opponents, with a full bench, no doubt salivated at their prospects for a win.

The Boy and his rag-tag side had other ideas. They came out aggressive right off the hop. The Boy was able to split the D on a rush in the first couple of minutes. He was hauled down, crashing into the net with the puck in tow. At first, we in the crowd thought we witnessed a quick goal, but instead the ref called a tripping penalty; giving the Boys their first powerplay opportunity. They would not score early, but would dominate play for much of the game.  As the other team scrambled, their goalie and defence were forced to knock the net off its moorings on at least four occasions. On the last of these, the Boy threw the puck into a dislodged net – another goal disallowed, but the Boy and his mates mock-celebrated to let the visitors know they were going to keep coming.

Then the break came as the home team was fighting off a penalty. The Boy pressured an opposing defenceman into turning over the puck.  He scooted in behind him and broke towards the goalie with the startled defenceman in hot pursuit.  He was able to throw the puck up an over the goalie’s left shoulder to establish a one-goal lead.  Now the challenge would be squarely on the nine, exhausted skaters for the remainder of the second and the entire third period. Hockey mom did her part, by ordering in a round of energy drinks to boost the psychological, if not, the physical spirits of the young warriors.

With all the adversity they’d faced to this point, what else could possibly go wrong? How about another broken skate at the start of the third period; this time on the foot of a different defenceman.  The only option, it seemed, was on the foot of the tenth penalty emergency player. His skate was subsequently transferred to where is was needed more. The newly equipped defencemen was able to rejoin the team after a quick “pit stop”.

The final event in this multi-act play was a collision between the Boy and an opposing player in the corner of the rink. The Boy went down in a heap. The trainer was summoned to do a quick assessment; before calling on a couple of other players to pick the Boy up and escort him back to the bench, reportedly with a fair stream of drool running out of his cage. All the while, the crowd looked on as both teams got something of a rest prior to finishing the last half of the final frame. The Boy would shake off the hit and return a couple of shifts later.

Scoring chances would be exchanged in the dying minutes. The Boy’s goaltender came up big on more than one occasion. The good guys held on to their painfully slim margin for the victory. Victorious, nine players and a backup goalie poured onto the ice to celebrate.  Another must-win game four is tomorrow night;  back in the bad guys’ playground.

Finally, cut to tonight and the last of three consecutive critical games. This time the Devil’s team was taking on the first-place squad from the regular season who had already won game one 2-0 at home. A first-place squad who only lost 4 out of 22 regular season games. The home side certainly had their work cut out for them.  But they’ve proven in the past that they can play against strong opponents.  And play they did. They battled hard the entire contest. Without looking at the stats, I would guess that they were outshot; our goalie shone again in behind her embattled crew.

As in the past two evenings, the game would be decided by a single goal coming on a seemingly harmless shot by the Devil towards the end of the second period, followed by a scramble for the puck in front of the goalie.  One of the Devil’s line-mates was able to poke the puck past, through, over and/or under the sprawling goalie. It was difficult to determine how exactly the puck found its way into the net, but that’s where it ended up; delivering an early death knell to the visitors. Once again, the home team would fight tooth and nail to preserve a win and to play another day. Another victory huddle would form around the winning tender.  This series will end, one way or another, this coming weekend. Both teams now know it’s anybody’s game.

There you have it. Three identical 1-0 decisions in three nights have sprouted a few more gray hairs on my aging noggin. These kids and their teams may have very well knocked a couple of days off my life expectancy. But I wouldn’t change it for the world. The post-game jubilation I’ve witnessed on the ice is worth every chewed fingernail. The high-fives and fist-bumps I see other parents exchanging tells the same story.  We’re all proud of the efforts our players are putting in; particularly when their backs have been against the wall.  Keep it up all ye young hockey soldiers.  We’re gonna keep cheering you on as best we can.

#imahockeydad 

Up Against It

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The Devil’s team somewhat oddly began two separate playoff series for two different regional and provincial championships this weekend.  Both series will be determined by the first team to reach four points with victories counting for two points and ties counting for one. As such, there are pretty slim margins of error between continuing on to the next/final series and having the hockey season end altogether.  Par for the course this year, the girls played two very close matches, but fell 2-1 and 2-0 (with the second goal finding an empty net) in each; thereby putting them behind the eight ball in the next game of both series. Both games could have just as easily gone the other way.  Just the incentive they need to come back and win game two in each.  I have every confidence they will because we, the spectators/parents, need more heart-stopping action.  While many would claim to be “hockeyed-out”, none can truly say they want to see it end.

Similarly the Boy is finally in a playoff series again, after a bye-induced, three-week layoff. He decided to play after spending the past few days nursing flu and then cold symptoms that kept him from one day of school.  Nothing a couple of Tylenol and a Sudafed couldn’t cure long enough for him to play.  Game one, which I missed in attending the Devil’s game this aft, was apparently a poorly refereed affair that saw our boys on the wrong end of a 3-1 score, with an empty-netter of its own and a couple of ejections, including a frustrated coach at the end. But this is a six-point series, with game two as soon as tomorrow night, back on home ice, which should see the boys come back with a vengeance.

Suffice it to say, we have an exciting week and hopefully a few with several important games ahead.

#imahockeydad

Up Against It

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The Devil’s team somewhat oddly began two separate playoff series for two different regional and provincial championships this weekend.  Both series will be determined by the first team to reach four points with victories counting for two points and ties counting for one. As such, there are pretty slim margins of error between continuing on to the next/final series and having the hockey season end altogether.  Par for the course this year, the girls played two very close matches, but fell 2-1 and 2-0 (with the second goal finding an empty net) in each; thereby putting them behind the eight ball in the next game of both series. Both games could have just as easily gone the other way.  Just the incentive they need to come back and win game two in each.  I have every confidence they will because we, the spectators/parents, need more heart-stopping action.  While many would claim to be “hockeyed-out”, none can truly say they want to see it end.

Similarly the Boy is finally in a playoff series again, after a bye-induced, three-week layoff. He decided to play after spending the past few days nursing flu and then cold symptoms that kept him from one day of school.  Nothing a couple of Tylenol and a Sudafed couldn’t cure long enough for him to play.  Game one, which I missed in attending the Devil’s game this aft, was apparently a poorly refereed affair that saw our boys on the wrong end of a 3-1 score, with an empty-netter of its own and a couple of ejections, including a frustrated coach at the end. But this is a six-point series, with game two as soon as tomorrow night, back on home ice, which should see the boys come back with a vengeance.

Suffice it to say, we have an exciting week and hopefully a few with several important games ahead.

#imahockeydad

So You Wanna Be a Hockey Coach

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I decided, sort of at the last minute back in December, to throw my hat into the ring for the head coaching position on the Devil’s team next year. My interview was this past week. I had a couple of reasons for giving it a shot – 1. the Devil would be tickled pink to have Dad as her head coach and 2. several people have suggested this season that they would like to see me as a head coach. 

I do think I would bring a good balance of positive reinforcement and focus on individual technical skill. This next year will be a critical year for many players as they are getting older.  Other interests like school, jobs and boys will start to compete with hockey.  My primary goals would be to make sure all of my players improve as players, have fun as teammates and maintain, if not, grow their love of the game.

The first step in applying for a representative team coaching spot is to submit a detailed application, complete with hockey resume and references. Coaching hopefuls begin by indicating what level of team they wish to manage.  In order to do that each applicant needs to be realistic about what level his/her child is able to compete at. I submitted an application for a level above where the Devil is playing this year as she has played at that level before.  I am confident she would be a strong performer playing against stiffer competition.

In my other minor hockey role, as a rep boy’s hockey convenor and part of a coach selection committee, we actually take time to watch games to assess the capabilities of prospective coaches’ sons.  We can only consider giving a team to a coach if his son is a “lock” to make that team, because we are effectively guaranteeing that one spot without a formal tryout.

The rest of the process is not unlike a typical job application with a panel from the selection committee posing questions around previous experience, coaching philosophy and how you anticipate handling specific game, practice, player and parent situations.

Handling situations, with players and parents, is definitely a big part of the job description. Coaching is not simply a matter of teaching and guiding a group of young players. A team consists of players, staff and parents.  In my last two years of convening, I’ve see my fair share of issues, the majority of which start with parents’ concerns about ice-time, player favoritism or coach conduct. In most cases, the parents’ concerns are unfounded or there is simply some miscommunication, which needs to be addressed.  A good coach needs to be a great communicator.  I’m certain having to deal with hockey parent-related issues is a big reason why many people choose to not apply at all.

There is no shortage of applicants for the division I’ve selected this year with at least six others vying for a spot. That is a very good sign as volunteerism is key to the long-term success of minor hockey and particularly women’s hockey. I believe this is the third time I’ve applied for a head coaching position. I’m hopeful the old adage about it being a charm rings true.  And so does the Devil. 

Until we know, one way or the other, mum’s the word.  Coach selection for next year happens to be running at the same time as this year’s playoffs, which I’m not sure I agree with.  You could effectively have two coaches on the same bench competing for the same job next year, potentially adding an unnecessary level of tension within a team.  Make no mistake that for many, there is competition involved. For my own part, I am hopeful, but will by no means be severely disappointed should I not be selected.

If my bid for head coach is unsuccessful, I will simply let the chosen coach, for whatever team the Devil ends up on, know that I am willing and able to help out in whatever capacity he or she see fit. I’ve done this every year she has played the game.  I’ve helped out with the Boy’s team as well, though his coaching staffs have tended to be more pre-determined.  I do think it’s important to be involved and to support a coach who’s primary concern should be the development of the players.

All of this coaching talk aside, both the Devil and the Boy are still plugging away in playoffs.  He’s headed to one rink this afternoon and I’ll be taking her to play at the same time at another rink a little farther away.  Hockey mom will be trying to get out of a first-aid course to get to his game as soon as she can.  And she better be quick about it because I need my regular text updates of the score in his game. I hate missing either of them play. Sometimes it simply can’t be helped. For that matter, if I’m a head coach, on a bench next season, it will only get worse.

#imahockeydad

So You Wanna Be a Hockey Coach

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I decided, sort of at the last minute back in December, to throw my hat into the ring for the head coaching position on the Devil’s team next year. My interview was this past week. I had a couple of reasons for giving it a shot – 1. the Devil would be tickled pink to have Dad as her head coach and 2. several people have suggested this season that they would like to see me as a head coach. 

I do think I would bring a good balance of positive reinforcement and focus on individual technical skill. This next year will be a critical year for many players as they are getting older.  Other interests like school, jobs and boys will start to compete with hockey.  My primary goals would be to make sure all of my players improve as players, have fun as teammates and maintain, if not, grow their love of the game.

The first step in applying for a representative team coaching spot is to submit a detailed application, complete with hockey resume and references. Coaching hopefuls begin by indicating what level of team they wish to manage.  In order to do that each applicant needs to be realistic about what level his/her child is able to compete at. I submitted an application for a level above where the Devil is playing this year as she has played at that level before.  I am confident she would be a strong performer playing against stiffer competition.

In my other minor hockey role, as a rep boy’s hockey convenor and part of a coach selection committee, we actually take time to watch games to assess the capabilities of prospective coaches’ sons.  We can only consider giving a team to a coach if his son is a “lock” to make that team, because we are effectively guaranteeing that one spot without a formal tryout.

The rest of the process is not unlike a typical job application with a panel from the selection committee posing questions around previous experience, coaching philosophy and how you anticipate handling specific game, practice, player and parent situations.

Handling situations, with players and parents, is definitely a big part of the job description. Coaching is not simply a matter of teaching and guiding a group of young players. A team consists of players, staff and parents.  In my last two years of convening, I’ve see my fair share of issues, the majority of which start with parents’ concerns about ice-time, player favoritism or coach conduct. In most cases, the parents’ concerns are unfounded or there is simply some miscommunication, which needs to be addressed.  A good coach needs to be a great communicator.  I’m certain having to deal with hockey parent-related issues is a big reason why many people choose to not apply at all.

There is no shortage of applicants for the division I’ve selected this year with at least six others vying for a spot. That is a very good sign as volunteerism is key to the long-term success of minor hockey and particularly women’s hockey. I believe this is the third time I’ve applied for a head coaching position. I’m hopeful the old adage about it being a charm rings true.  And so does the Devil. 

Until we know, one way or the other, mum’s the word.  Coach selection for next year happens to be running at the same time as this year’s playoffs, which I’m not sure I agree with.  You could effectively have two coaches on the same bench competing for the same job next year, potentially adding an unnecessary level of tension within a team.  Make no mistake that for many, there is competition involved. For my own part, I am hopeful, but will by no means be severely disappointed should I not be selected.

If my bid for head coach is unsuccessful, I will simply let the chosen coach, for whatever team the Devil ends up on, know that I am willing and able to help out in whatever capacity he or she see fit. I’ve done this every year she has played the game.  I’ve helped out with the Boy’s team as well, though his coaching staffs have tended to be more pre-determined.  I do think it’s important to be involved and to support a coach who’s primary concern should be the development of the players.

All of this coaching talk aside, both the Devil and the Boy are still plugging away in playoffs.  He’s headed to one rink this afternoon and I’ll be taking her to play at the same time at another rink a little farther away.  Hockey mom will be trying to get out of a first-aid course to get to his game as soon as she can.  And she better be quick about it because I need my regular text updates of the score in his game. I hate missing either of them play. Sometimes it simply can’t be helped. For that matter, if I’m a head coach, on a bench next season, it will only get worse.

#imahockeydad