A Sale at a Sports Store

One of our local Sports Store has a sale each year for customers you have purchased products there over the past fiscal year. They send out invitations to there patrons to attend this event that is held on a Sunday, normally they are closed on Sundays. They offer 10% off any thing in the store and some products are reduced even further.

Since our Oldest son is starting hockey in January my wife and I thought it would be good idea to take advantage of this. The store was scheduled to open at 10:00 Am so we went there for 9:30 because we had a family function to attend at 11:00 Am. To my surprise people we already lined up out side the store. There must have been 30-40 people there already.( It was like waiting line for a PSP3 this is only a sports store with equipment and some sports team merchandise) How ever by 10:00 the line must of doubled in size. Once we were in yes there was some great deals on stuff but the best is that they still provided great service. One of the employees asked if he could help us with my son’s equipment sizing of course I said yes. ( I guess since I an in there fairly often to get skate sharpen through out the year he recognized me) the store was busy and he helped us until we were done. That did take a bit because my sons hockey pants were not all easy to fit properly. So we did out fit head to toe in new gear that day and saved a good chunk of change. I as well found a pair of new gloves that were slashed in price from over $200.00 down to a $88.00. Since my old gloves are well at least 10 years old if not older and the palms were worn through I figured I should splurge. My wife who did see I had them in my hands dint fuss that I got them I figured she would fuss spending the amount of time in a sports store buying equipment but she was ok with it. FEW. But I will still put them under the tree at Christmas.

4 Nations Cup

On Wednesday night we received a phone call from my in-laws. It turned out they had 2 extra tickets for Canada vs. Sweden at the 4 nation’s cup. At first we didn’t know what to do how we can use 2 tickets because both of my boys wanted to go! Luckily my oldest son was content just to stay home with his mom and bake some cookies.

Canada guaranteed itself a spot in Saturday’s final, with a 7-0 win over Sweden on Wednesday in front of nearly 5000 fans The Aud in Kitchener. Late first period goals by Meghan Agosta and Gillian Apps and Vicky Sunohara’s 53rd and 54th career Team Canada goal kept Canada undefeated all-time against Sweden, registering Canada’s 48th win in 49 games. A 1-1 tie in Canada’s final exhibition game before the 1998 Olympics represents the only blemish on Canada’s record against this Scandic nation.
The game also marked the first time that the two teams have met since the gold medal final at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. Canada won 4-1 in that game, ensuring itself a second consecutive Olympic gold medal.
Sweden held its own for most of the opening period, but Canada’s constant pressure finally produced a goal at 15:32, as Cathy Chartrand’s point shot was redirected by Agosta past Sara Grahn.
Only thirty-seven seconds later, Canada made it 2-0. Apps poked her own rebound past Grahn at 17:09.
Canada carried the play in the second period, with a 23-5 shot advantage, and two more goals to show for it. Vicky Sunohara scored a third Canadian goal, with a backhand over Swedish goaltender Sara Grahn’s shoulder. Then, at 4:34, Colleen Sostorics jumped on a long rebound and fired a slap shot past Grahn. Canada had a commanding 4-0 lead through twp periods of play. Sunohara, with her second, Hayley Wickenheiser and Sarah Vaillancourt added singles in the third period, giving Canada a 7-0 win and a berth in the 2006 4 Nations Cup.

I was pleasantly shocked with team Canada’s play. They worked hard and I feel in the 2nd period they kept the game simple by shooting on the net and digging for the rebound. They went to the net and held there ice screening the Swede goalie. One might asked why was I plenty shocked? The absence of Cassie Campbell. I thought her retirement from the team would hurt them. She was such a good leader for the team and wonderful spokesperson for the game. However, Hayley Wickenheiser's play is outstanding. She seems like she is playing in a different league. Her passes are crisper on the tape and her speed. She just seems to be a step or two faster. She carried the puck deep into the Swedes zone went around the net came up to the slot head up with great confidence looking to make a pass but she quickly wrested the puck top corner. For the goal. What a play. She does deserve to wear the C on her Jersey for Team Canada.

Of course my son had a great time. Eyes wide open, cheering on the girls, standing most of the game. He definitely made my in-laws' night.

Another in Fundamentals

The other day my oldest boy asked my wife and me if he can start hockey. We were both surprised at this request because he hasn't shown much interest in hockey before other than on occasion going to a Kitchener Ranger game and watching a bit on the TV. He has shown interest in figure skating. He does have rhythm and a good ear for music. So we thought figure skating is right up his ally. I suppose he changed his mind when we he went to a neighbor's hockey game and his little brother's. His brother has pushed him into a lot of things, skating, and bike riding and now hockey. Well I guess we go and get him some equipment since he is registered to start in January. A part of me is happy that he is going into hockey but I hope he is doing it because he wants to. I always thought of him as a figure skater. He has reassured us that hockey is his idea and would like to give it a go. In his words "not too many boys do figure skating", but in a few years, my son, when girls are of interest you might change your mind...

Finally FUNdamentals has started

On Thurday, October 19, 2006, Andrew started hockey fundamentals.It seems as if I have waited for this for months, and Andrew, well for him,a life time. I do have to admit that I was nervous for him. He was so excited to be there and to finaly use his new hockey stick that we bought months ago and didn't let him use outside to play road hockey with. Mind you, I don't think a day went by that he didn't hold it in his hands and on some occasions got yelled at by my wife because he was practicing his swing in the living room. Back to the nervous part--well I suppose I was because he has high expectations of himself to play well. Perhaps I might be a part of that expectation but he did great!. Those last 3 seasons of skating lessons have done him well allowing him to be in one of the 2 top groups, where they can focus on hockey and not learn to skate. Kitchener Minor Hockey has right on the application that children must be self sufficient on the ice. I guess it's how we translate it. There are kids there at levels of skating ability and age from age 4-10. At first when they hit the ice it was a mess--kids everywhere but they did a skating drill with 360 degree spins, jump the blue line, and Andrew's favourite-- fall down and get up. Before that they had all the kids at centre ice and gave them a pep talk and rules. There are 4 rules: 1. Stay in your group 2. No talking back to the coaches 3. No horseplay and 4. ......

HAVE FUN..

Well that's what he did-- had fun. As he walked out of the dressing room, hockey bag in tow and stick in his hand, he was as happy and proud like he has never been before. However I might have been...

Old Faces New Faces

Well as I said in my last post, a new season of hockey has started. As I went to our first game a couple of weeks back, my mind was drifting as I drove to the rink thinking of last season's team members and of the upcoming season. Let me explain-- each year we are rated as players and there is a draft to form new teams. This is to keep the teams as equal as possible so that grudges don’t get out of hand because that player you just slashed or tripped or whatever, might be on your team or even worse, your line, so I guess it helps us play with more respect for others.


As I sat in the change room getting ready, new faces walk in and ones I already know. But there isn’t any awkwardness-- we say "Hi" and "What’s your name?", "How long have you played in the league?" and bang a new friend. And with that 1 common bond--the love for the game and the ability to still play it. If it was only this easy to obtain new clients in the real world or even, for some, to talk to their neighbors.

On our 2nd game, we had to draw a player from a pool because we were short a full- time player. As I walked into the dressing room I heard a familiar voice. I looked up and, shock, I saw a player that I haven’t played with for over 2 years in another league. We played together for 3 years and we joked around like the past 2 years was only 2 weeks ago. We bantered back and forth with satire and quick one liners.

I suppose what I am saying is that a team sport like hockey is more than just a sport. It gives us a sense of belonging amongst others who share the same passion and the competitive spirit.

A new season

Well tonight we start a new hockey season for the Kitchener Waterloo Old Timmers.

Today me and my youngest son

Today me and my youngest son went to public skating at RIM Park in Waterloo. He put all his hockey equipment on to get accustomed to it. He did say his equipment made him skate better. Mind you he did look soooo cute.

The reason behind the equipment is that this will be his first year in hockey fundamentals and he is quit jazzed about it.

It Starts...

Summer is done. The rink is calling our names....