Last week I played my first game of hockey in about 21 years. My goal was to survive, and I accomplished that objective with ease.
Ok, it wasn't with ease. I was pretty winded by the 40 minute mark. We only had one sub, so I was out there for the bulk of the hour and I was pretty beat before the final buzzer.
My primary objective this week is to realize I am not Mario Lemieux. Last week, when my defenseman had the puck, I'd rush on the wing and look back to receive the pass on the fly. I found it awfully tough to skate full steam ahead while looking back to take the forward pass on the tape of my stick. You see, I was trying to play the way I see NHLers play, and I just ended up with a sore neck and no goals.
Tonight, as I lace up the skates for game #2, I won't try to take the pass in full stride. Tonight I will not attempt to be magnificent.
