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Fridge

Monday 9 May 2016

Inline Update

I typed this on March 15 but for some reason never posted it (the pre-paid mobile internet didn't work out to be any quicker than dial-up used to be, perhaps).

I have been out of contact for the past month due the fact that I moved house twice in that time and only in the last day or so finally established a (mobile prepaid) internet connection.  I am now living in a cottage in the country about 150 kms north of Adelaide and waiting until May 7th (when we are scheduled to be connected to regular internet service).

Mar 12 - Mavericks 5 d Snipers 4 1-1-2 +1 GRAND FINAL
Awards:  Grand Final Medal, Season Highest Scorer and Most Valued Player trophies.

We played a poor first half and went into half time down 0-2.  The score had declined to 0-3 before Matt put one in for us through sheer determination.  They then scored to make it 1-4 and things looked grim but we found our mojo and took the lead in the final two minutes, killing off the remaining time to come out winners.  I scored the game tying goal off a pass from Natasha, and then myself provided the helper for Merrilyn's game winner.  A great way to end off this season and my time in Div II (have been promoted to Division I for next season).

It was a big evening for me.  Standing for the national anthem before the game was a buzz, moment of reflection and ambition.  This was book ended after the game when I went up to receive my trophies.  Receiving the applause of my sweaty peers meant more to me than the more abstract awards I've won previously in life.

Mar 5 - Mavericks 2 d Bumpers 0 1-1-2 +2 SEMI FINAL

Possibly our best game for the season.  Short shifts, good talking, accurate passing, physically determined, desperate.  My favorite play was the one that led to our second goal.  It was within two minutes of the end of the game when Craig got behind us on a rush, I set off in hot pursuit.  I had been about to end a tiring shift and so this was a major effort.  It didn't take me more than a step or two as I crossed the half way line that I realised I wouldn't catch him.  This didn't slow me down or stop me, however, and I was close enough to him when he took his shot to clip his stick with mine, resulting in a total miss on his part.  I was able to wheel and retrieve the puck much quicker than he was and I was shortly on my own one man mission up the board, cross through the centre, deke around their last defender before faking and pulling a shot so that Matt the Goalie committed himself.  Then taking stock of where the gaps were and picking one and shooting for it (between his right arm and leg) and getting it.  I sort of raised my stick but skated off for a quick breather before being sent back out by Brenton to see out the game.  Very spent the next day with a lot of upper body muscular soreness due several strength battles with Craig and Dallas.

Feb 27 - Mavericks 6 d Bumpers 2, 4-1-5 +4
Feb 20 - Mavericks 3 d Shufflers 1, 1-2-3 +3 PIMS 2
Feb 13 - Snipers 4 d Mavericks 3, 0-0-0 +/-0 PIMS 2

Regular season Stats - GP 10 G 22 A 13 Pts 35 +27 7/3/0 PIMS 10
Playoff Stats GP 2 G 2 A 2 Pts 4 +3 2/0/0