Team lists for the Adelaide Summer League Ice Hockey competition were announced last night and for the first time in six years my name wasn't there. I had to make a very difficult decision earlier in the year which resulted in my not registering to play this season. It was not an easy decision to make but I had no realistic options. Life has gotten extremely busy with some intense family commitments that are unpredictable in their timing and duration, some new weekday commitments that make a heavy demand on my body, and financial contraints. Any one (or even two) of these factors could have been worked around, but not all three. I would have ended up taking a roster position on the Knights and not being able to make an indeterminate number of games. Not very good, considering my circumstances prevent my from practice and training in any event. So, to be fair to myself and to my team I let it slide for this season.
I didn't realise how much I would be affected by my withdrawal from the team. On the night the team lists were released I found myself extremely maudlin, moping around the house looking at a grey world. It's the closest I've been to being depressed for years and I didn't like it. The next day a friend observed that this showed how much I enjoyed the game and all that goes with it. He was right, over the past few years my commitment to the sport has been one of the constants in my life and my personal identity. No wonder I felt aimless.
Not for long, however, because I have put in place a 'Plan B'. I will aim at returning to the ice NEXT summer, and have even put my name down for a new Knights Jersey and number allocation to make this a 'real' possibility. In the meantime, realising that I will have to keep myself in touch with skating skills and fitness, I will get out my inline skates and put in some concentrated work this summer on my own. I know enough about the sport to be able to work myself up a program that works on individual skills and conditioning. Then, come winter, I will aim at playing inline hockey at Gawler for a season. Probably Division 2, considering that I won't have played hockey for over a year by then and won't be able to make team practice. The aim of the inline games will be to satisfy the craving for competitive hockey, build up match fitness, and work on the team aspects in my development program.
It might not be as good as playing in the coming campaign, but at least it's a plan.
Now pardon my while I go away and have a good cry...
Fridge
Showing posts with label Thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thoughts. Show all posts
Saturday, 29 September 2018
Wednesday, 12 October 2016
Running Man
There's a theory out there that human evolution is as much linked to our ability to run as it is anything else. The theory points out that the exponential growth in the size of our brainpans is synchronous with the emergence of homio sapiens from its monkey ancestors, and gave it the edge in its competition with neanderthals so much so that the later vanished from the tale. To get the growth in brain, we needed a huge increase in protein intake. We achieved this by eating animals we caught. Regularly. Almost two million years before there is evidence that we used tools to do so (or, for that matter, to do anything else).
How did we regularly hunt down sufficiently large animals to supply our growing need for proteins, without tools? In the savannahs and grasslands that dominated the landscape of early humankind, so goes the story, we were able to take down animals that were bigger, stronger, faster than us by running them down. Essentially, running them to death (apparently there are still existing cultures where this still occurs). We could do this because humans are able to run for longer and further than any other animal.
Our bodies distinguish themselves from all other animals in several respects, all geared to allow us to run longer and further. These include; sweat and essential hairlessness to cool ourselves down independently of our breathing; an actual pace length longer than even a horse's; a breathing musculature that allows for independence from the stride (unlike, say, a cheetah who's powerful legs act as a bellows for the lungs, one pace one super powerful breathing action). We were made to run, says the theory, and all else followed.
This running man theory has been used to promote all sorts of ideas, from barefoot running to the naturalness of ultra-marathons. Me? I'm simpler. I've used it to explain why I seem to like running. And the more I have run, the more I want to run. It's a virtuous circle.
So much so that my pre-season training hasn't got out of 'running mode'. I justify it by referring to the increase in my 'aerobic base', and make the most of it by tailoring into my running as much hockey specific conditioning aspects as I can. Thus, 'hard running' and interval work takes place in the schedule alongside more traditional threshold and aerobic 'modes'. The only real specific 'running' modality I do is the weekly 'long run' - an aspect of marathon training far more so than for hockey (in fact, a concentration on this 'running agenda' is contra-indicated for hockey players if taken beyond a certain point).
Perhaps the fact that I will be shifting back a gear or two in my running program in the months to come allows me to justify pushing it to the forefront now.
And, as a runner I'm pretty pleased with what I've achieved. In the last week I ran a total of 28km, with the longest individual run being of over 10km one moonlit night. It's been quite a journey!
How did we regularly hunt down sufficiently large animals to supply our growing need for proteins, without tools? In the savannahs and grasslands that dominated the landscape of early humankind, so goes the story, we were able to take down animals that were bigger, stronger, faster than us by running them down. Essentially, running them to death (apparently there are still existing cultures where this still occurs). We could do this because humans are able to run for longer and further than any other animal.
Our bodies distinguish themselves from all other animals in several respects, all geared to allow us to run longer and further. These include; sweat and essential hairlessness to cool ourselves down independently of our breathing; an actual pace length longer than even a horse's; a breathing musculature that allows for independence from the stride (unlike, say, a cheetah who's powerful legs act as a bellows for the lungs, one pace one super powerful breathing action). We were made to run, says the theory, and all else followed.
This running man theory has been used to promote all sorts of ideas, from barefoot running to the naturalness of ultra-marathons. Me? I'm simpler. I've used it to explain why I seem to like running. And the more I have run, the more I want to run. It's a virtuous circle.
So much so that my pre-season training hasn't got out of 'running mode'. I justify it by referring to the increase in my 'aerobic base', and make the most of it by tailoring into my running as much hockey specific conditioning aspects as I can. Thus, 'hard running' and interval work takes place in the schedule alongside more traditional threshold and aerobic 'modes'. The only real specific 'running' modality I do is the weekly 'long run' - an aspect of marathon training far more so than for hockey (in fact, a concentration on this 'running agenda' is contra-indicated for hockey players if taken beyond a certain point).
Perhaps the fact that I will be shifting back a gear or two in my running program in the months to come allows me to justify pushing it to the forefront now.
And, as a runner I'm pretty pleased with what I've achieved. In the last week I ran a total of 28km, with the longest individual run being of over 10km one moonlit night. It's been quite a journey!
Tuesday, 4 October 2016
Pre Season Training Thoughts
The upcoming season is the third for which I will have prepared myself with a pre-season schedule of fitness, conditioning and skills training. Unsurprisingly, and even though it is still early days this year despite my later than ideal start, I feel better equipped than in the past and that my efforts will be more effective as a result. Hopefully it's not just hubris.
Since my last inline game in early August it was another four and a half weeks before I did any specifically 'sporty' activity (namely, a social skate at the Ice Arena one Wednesday evening). Not that this was a huge change, as I hadn't done anything EXCEPT play inline once a week since May. Be that as it was, I thoroughly enjoyed my ice skating and drove the heart and lungs reasonably strongly. I felt great afterwards, realised that I'd better stop procrastinating about beginning some pre-season training (I'd been finding 'reasons' not to start for the previous couple of weeks), that higher level physical exertion isn't only good for you, it FEELS good as well! So, a couple days later I strapped on my heart rate monitor and went my first run in five months. And thus began my pre-season training program for this season.
In the first couple days I ran 3km each, the following week totaled 22km, the following one over 25km, this week will be close to 30km. I can feel the heart/blood/lungs starting to respond to this increase in aerobic activity, to the point where I now feel safe starting some anaerobic work (began this phase of training yesterday evening). Next up will be core and leg strength work (this week), agility (next week) and general overall skills training (subject to weather for some inline skating, otherwise stickhandling with a golf ball every second evening every second day or so).
If I treat the first game of the season as actually falling within pre-season period I buy myself a couple extra weeks before I need to transition into regular season activity, so I have about a month to go. That's enough time to make a significant difference to my performance. Especially if I maintain some basic fitness and skill work into my schedule through at least the first half of the season.
The plan is evolving!
Since my last inline game in early August it was another four and a half weeks before I did any specifically 'sporty' activity (namely, a social skate at the Ice Arena one Wednesday evening). Not that this was a huge change, as I hadn't done anything EXCEPT play inline once a week since May. Be that as it was, I thoroughly enjoyed my ice skating and drove the heart and lungs reasonably strongly. I felt great afterwards, realised that I'd better stop procrastinating about beginning some pre-season training (I'd been finding 'reasons' not to start for the previous couple of weeks), that higher level physical exertion isn't only good for you, it FEELS good as well! So, a couple days later I strapped on my heart rate monitor and went my first run in five months. And thus began my pre-season training program for this season.
In the first couple days I ran 3km each, the following week totaled 22km, the following one over 25km, this week will be close to 30km. I can feel the heart/blood/lungs starting to respond to this increase in aerobic activity, to the point where I now feel safe starting some anaerobic work (began this phase of training yesterday evening). Next up will be core and leg strength work (this week), agility (next week) and general overall skills training (subject to weather for some inline skating, otherwise stickhandling with a golf ball every second evening every second day or so).
If I treat the first game of the season as actually falling within pre-season period I buy myself a couple extra weeks before I need to transition into regular season activity, so I have about a month to go. That's enough time to make a significant difference to my performance. Especially if I maintain some basic fitness and skill work into my schedule through at least the first half of the season.
The plan is evolving!
Sunday, 2 October 2016
The Plan
It is two and a half weeks to our opening ice hockey game for the season, and another 15 days before the second (we play five times over the ensuing 24 day period). Having moved to the Mid North (about two hours drive from the Ice Arena) there will be a few changes for me from the last three seasons. Ironically, this pre-season period is that which will be least affected by the move (as it primarily involves individual off-ice fitness and conditioning work, as opposed to team or ice based activity).
The big changes for me are a function of the distance I need to travel and the time it takes to do so. I won't be getting to training with any regularity (and possibly not for weeks at a time), I won't be playing inline hockey over summer, and I'll have a two hour car trip both before and after my games.
To alleviate the issue of the two hour drive beforehand, I'll try and leave earlier so that I can have some 'chill' time before starting to focus in on the game ahead. As I would be having my main meal at least four hours before a game, if I had that and then drove in I'd have a couple hours to get over the trip. Sounds better than what I did with inline over winter, when it was get out of the car and get changed and play.
As for lack of training sessions or inline games, I can aim to do the best I practically can to attend trainings (half is better than none) and factor some individual skills sessions into my fitness and conditioning schedule. As for skating practice, take advantage of what spare trips to Adelaide I get to call in at the Ice Arena, and get in some inline skating at the local primary school when the weather fines up.
All of that is for the future, however, except for fitness and conditioning and maybe some individual skills work. I can do these things now.
Sounds like a plan.
The big changes for me are a function of the distance I need to travel and the time it takes to do so. I won't be getting to training with any regularity (and possibly not for weeks at a time), I won't be playing inline hockey over summer, and I'll have a two hour car trip both before and after my games.
To alleviate the issue of the two hour drive beforehand, I'll try and leave earlier so that I can have some 'chill' time before starting to focus in on the game ahead. As I would be having my main meal at least four hours before a game, if I had that and then drove in I'd have a couple hours to get over the trip. Sounds better than what I did with inline over winter, when it was get out of the car and get changed and play.
As for lack of training sessions or inline games, I can aim to do the best I practically can to attend trainings (half is better than none) and factor some individual skills sessions into my fitness and conditioning schedule. As for skating practice, take advantage of what spare trips to Adelaide I get to call in at the Ice Arena, and get in some inline skating at the local primary school when the weather fines up.
All of that is for the future, however, except for fitness and conditioning and maybe some individual skills work. I can do these things now.
Sounds like a plan.
Friday, 23 September 2016
The season just gone
After a long hiatus I return! Since last posting I played out a whole season of inline hockey. It's only four weeks to my first game of the coming season on the ice. I have started up a 'crash course' of fitness and conditioning. Life is good.
My first season in Division 1 inline hockey at Gawler was played for the Rolling Dead. Fast, physical and competitive. Our leaky defence, amplified by poor offence (6th), subverted valiant goal tending (2nd) to ensure the Rolling Dead didn't make the playoffs. We ended up fifth on the ladder (six teams). I totally loved the jersey!
I made all twelve of our games. Each was an experience unto itself for me. Some games I shone on the face off, others I played an (almost) impassable defence, others I got good shots on goal and, in some, I scored. There were a number of highlights and a few lessons (some of which I detail below) but the overall experience was one of steady improvement and continuing enjoyment.
I didn't attend a single training session for the whole season, either with others or on my own. I didn't touch my skates except to play a game. I did no physical training or exercises at home. I did turn up for several games after a morning mixing concrete, chopping down trees, digging holes. All of this and a two hour drive each way to get to a game in the first place.
A few events stand out in memory:
Turning up for my first game to discover that I'd be on the rink for the full game (we only had three skaters). We played till it felt like we had nothing left and then we played some more, used a time out with ten minutes to go, conserved energy when we could, burnt it with gay abandon every shift. We ended up with a victory, my fitness tracker recorded the highest performance metrics I've yet produced and I got my first goal at this level (pass from Brad in the corner to me in slot). What a game!
In our third game we were soundly beaten 11-1. The junior star of the opposing team scored six goals and made a couple of assists, our goal keeping was the lowest I've ever had on a team, but I still greatly enjoyed the game. Mainly because I shut down their star for the second half by playing good solid defence (though he kept on scoring when our first line was on the floor). In other words, and in spite of the score line, I grew more confident in my defensive abilities after this game.
In Game 5 I blocked five shots and scored a nice goal on the rush off of a desperate and accurate pass from Jess.
In Game 11 I single handedly scored game tying goal after taking advantage of my own centre face off win, backing my skating to thread a gap in the defence and quick release a snap shot at speed. I also played out a couple of penalty kills, including the dying minutes (using my body and feet to good effect against bigger stronger players more than my stick).
In Game 12 I finally started to strip the puck from the opposition with more regularity (twice off of their best player) and deny them the slot when it counted. I was also skated around twice by a better skater in the zone (once leading direct to a goal). I then took part in a shift which was probably the strongest I've either witnessed or played in at my level, with Josh and Jess being the primary movers and me using every bit of my lungs and legs to give support as they tore off dangerous shot after dangerous shot and we controlled the puck for several minutes (and their goalie denied us each and every time we thought we'd scored (I hit the post twice)). Great play, no result, they scored shortly after we made a change. Sigh.
Lack of fitness work (ie neither training, nor High Intesity sessions as a substitute) or hockey training (neither team training sessions, nor private time with stick and/or puck to compensate) led to a decline in my capacity over the season, especially when combined with the 'external' factors of work around the house (lumber work, digging, concreting) and travel times (for example, arriving after a two hour drive to immediately get changed and play, no 'adjustment' time to compensate for the drive).
If I am content to continue to learn hockey sense from game to game, I can pick up that same game to a higher level by doing the following in future:
- sustained in-season strength and conditioning work, prioritising high intensity sessions (1 or 2 'tabata' runs or indoor cycle sessions per week), leg strength and agility (twice weekly) and skating/shooting/stick handling sessions (upto twice weekly). That's a fair bit to work into a busy life, but I'll try.
- getting to the game with time for my muscles and mind to recover from the drive before I have to focus on game.
As for my first Div 1 season, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, learned a lot about hockey and myself, and can't wait to repeat it next year.
Individual Stats: GP 12 G 3 A 2 T/P 5 PIMS 4
Rolling Dead Stats: W 5 L 7 T 0 GF 69 GA 71 SV% .805
My first season in Division 1 inline hockey at Gawler was played for the Rolling Dead. Fast, physical and competitive. Our leaky defence, amplified by poor offence (6th), subverted valiant goal tending (2nd) to ensure the Rolling Dead didn't make the playoffs. We ended up fifth on the ladder (six teams). I totally loved the jersey!
I made all twelve of our games. Each was an experience unto itself for me. Some games I shone on the face off, others I played an (almost) impassable defence, others I got good shots on goal and, in some, I scored. There were a number of highlights and a few lessons (some of which I detail below) but the overall experience was one of steady improvement and continuing enjoyment.
I didn't attend a single training session for the whole season, either with others or on my own. I didn't touch my skates except to play a game. I did no physical training or exercises at home. I did turn up for several games after a morning mixing concrete, chopping down trees, digging holes. All of this and a two hour drive each way to get to a game in the first place.
A few events stand out in memory:
Turning up for my first game to discover that I'd be on the rink for the full game (we only had three skaters). We played till it felt like we had nothing left and then we played some more, used a time out with ten minutes to go, conserved energy when we could, burnt it with gay abandon every shift. We ended up with a victory, my fitness tracker recorded the highest performance metrics I've yet produced and I got my first goal at this level (pass from Brad in the corner to me in slot). What a game!
In our third game we were soundly beaten 11-1. The junior star of the opposing team scored six goals and made a couple of assists, our goal keeping was the lowest I've ever had on a team, but I still greatly enjoyed the game. Mainly because I shut down their star for the second half by playing good solid defence (though he kept on scoring when our first line was on the floor). In other words, and in spite of the score line, I grew more confident in my defensive abilities after this game.
In Game 5 I blocked five shots and scored a nice goal on the rush off of a desperate and accurate pass from Jess.
In Game 11 I single handedly scored game tying goal after taking advantage of my own centre face off win, backing my skating to thread a gap in the defence and quick release a snap shot at speed. I also played out a couple of penalty kills, including the dying minutes (using my body and feet to good effect against bigger stronger players more than my stick).
In Game 12 I finally started to strip the puck from the opposition with more regularity (twice off of their best player) and deny them the slot when it counted. I was also skated around twice by a better skater in the zone (once leading direct to a goal). I then took part in a shift which was probably the strongest I've either witnessed or played in at my level, with Josh and Jess being the primary movers and me using every bit of my lungs and legs to give support as they tore off dangerous shot after dangerous shot and we controlled the puck for several minutes (and their goalie denied us each and every time we thought we'd scored (I hit the post twice)). Great play, no result, they scored shortly after we made a change. Sigh.
Lack of fitness work (ie neither training, nor High Intesity sessions as a substitute) or hockey training (neither team training sessions, nor private time with stick and/or puck to compensate) led to a decline in my capacity over the season, especially when combined with the 'external' factors of work around the house (lumber work, digging, concreting) and travel times (for example, arriving after a two hour drive to immediately get changed and play, no 'adjustment' time to compensate for the drive).
If I am content to continue to learn hockey sense from game to game, I can pick up that same game to a higher level by doing the following in future:
- sustained in-season strength and conditioning work, prioritising high intensity sessions (1 or 2 'tabata' runs or indoor cycle sessions per week), leg strength and agility (twice weekly) and skating/shooting/stick handling sessions (upto twice weekly). That's a fair bit to work into a busy life, but I'll try.
- getting to the game with time for my muscles and mind to recover from the drive before I have to focus on game.
As for my first Div 1 season, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, learned a lot about hockey and myself, and can't wait to repeat it next year.
Individual Stats: GP 12 G 3 A 2 T/P 5 PIMS 4
Rolling Dead Stats: W 5 L 7 T 0 GF 69 GA 71 SV% .805
Wednesday, 30 September 2015
Endings - Wheelers and Pre-Season
The winter inline season and my Pre (ice hockey) season ended within a few days of each other. The summer inline season starts with training on the 7th of October and the first game on the 10th. That's all within sixteen days. Events have already got away from me as I post this (2 unblogged Knights games) so the reader will have to forgive me if this review of what has been is not as in-depth a post as it ideally should be.
Endings I - Wheelers Winter Season
We lost in the Grand Final against our Divisional foes, the Bumpers. This was not only the end of the season but also the end of the current team formations. This is because this Summer we are being encouraged to form our own teams, choose our own names, select our own jerseys (more on that later). The organisers are of the belief that the Division has matured enough to allow for self formed teams (rather than centralised drafting for need). As such, it seems appropriate to look back.
In the season just passed we fielded six skaters more often than not. This was a major change from the past. Our lines stabilised by the playoffs, albeit not entirely due on rink performance (a consequence of having two family groups, each with their own internal issues to juggle). In this regard, the stats of Josh and Crystal look very good offensively but that was to at least some extent a result of putting our best defence with them (Merrilyn). In goal, after a bit of chaos initially we settled in with Nicole between the pipes. I think she was finding her game by season end.
In the longer term, I have played 48 games with the Wheelers across four seasons during which I went to four grand finals, won gold once and received an MVP. My regular season stats have steadily improved over time but my post season stats remain woeful.
Regular Season Post Season
GP G A Pt PPG
13/14 Summer C Grade Wheelers 5 3 1 4 0.8 (3/1/0/1 0.33) Silver
14 Winter DivII Wheelers 10 8 7 15 1.5 (2/0/0/0 0.00) Gold MVP
14/15 Summer Div II Wheelers 12 12 8 20 1.67 (2/1/0/1 0.50) Silver
15 Winter Div II Wheelers 12 11 14 25 2.08 (2/0/1/1 0.50) Silver
Endings II - Ice Hockey Pre-Season
After a false start I began an off-season strength and conditioning program on July 1st. I kept to my schedule pretty well for the first month, and then maintained an acceptable level of commitment through to the start of the season. I had noticeable gains in leg, core and upper body strength, aerobic capacity and anaerobic performance, quickness and agility. As the program wore through its second and into the third month I derived a great deal of satisfaction from my commitment itself, the activities themselves and the almost daily challenges such a program poses.
At the end of eleven weeks I was regularly going for a run, interval training, using a HR monitor (thanks Jess for the loan!) and pushing weights (again, thanks Jess!). To a limited extent I'll be bringing all of these activities forward into the season proper, for both their game specific values AND the intrinsic pleasure I derive from them in themselves. Who would have guessed it?
As to the value of the program, it was well worth it! I had a small amount of weight gain (a primary goal of mine for years) and increased performance on many health related indicators. Perhaps more importantly, the value has already shown itself in my inline games and the first two games of the ice hockey season. They show themselves particularly in the following ways...
Increased ability to skate a shift and a game out
Better decision making through a game (due being less fatigued)
Decreased recovery time between both shifts and games
Greater strength along the board and in the crease
Quicker and faster
Increased confidence.
Greater knowledge about my own and other's bodies and physical capacity
All in all, a great advance in both my hockey and life potential.
Endings I - Wheelers Winter Season
We lost in the Grand Final against our Divisional foes, the Bumpers. This was not only the end of the season but also the end of the current team formations. This is because this Summer we are being encouraged to form our own teams, choose our own names, select our own jerseys (more on that later). The organisers are of the belief that the Division has matured enough to allow for self formed teams (rather than centralised drafting for need). As such, it seems appropriate to look back.
In the season just passed we fielded six skaters more often than not. This was a major change from the past. Our lines stabilised by the playoffs, albeit not entirely due on rink performance (a consequence of having two family groups, each with their own internal issues to juggle). In this regard, the stats of Josh and Crystal look very good offensively but that was to at least some extent a result of putting our best defence with them (Merrilyn). In goal, after a bit of chaos initially we settled in with Nicole between the pipes. I think she was finding her game by season end.
In the longer term, I have played 48 games with the Wheelers across four seasons during which I went to four grand finals, won gold once and received an MVP. My regular season stats have steadily improved over time but my post season stats remain woeful.
Regular Season Post Season
GP G A Pt PPG
13/14 Summer C Grade Wheelers 5 3 1 4 0.8 (3/1/0/1 0.33) Silver
14 Winter DivII Wheelers 10 8 7 15 1.5 (2/0/0/0 0.00) Gold MVP
14/15 Summer Div II Wheelers 12 12 8 20 1.67 (2/1/0/1 0.50) Silver
15 Winter Div II Wheelers 12 11 14 25 2.08 (2/0/1/1 0.50) Silver
Endings II - Ice Hockey Pre-Season
After a false start I began an off-season strength and conditioning program on July 1st. I kept to my schedule pretty well for the first month, and then maintained an acceptable level of commitment through to the start of the season. I had noticeable gains in leg, core and upper body strength, aerobic capacity and anaerobic performance, quickness and agility. As the program wore through its second and into the third month I derived a great deal of satisfaction from my commitment itself, the activities themselves and the almost daily challenges such a program poses.
At the end of eleven weeks I was regularly going for a run, interval training, using a HR monitor (thanks Jess for the loan!) and pushing weights (again, thanks Jess!). To a limited extent I'll be bringing all of these activities forward into the season proper, for both their game specific values AND the intrinsic pleasure I derive from them in themselves. Who would have guessed it?
As to the value of the program, it was well worth it! I had a small amount of weight gain (a primary goal of mine for years) and increased performance on many health related indicators. Perhaps more importantly, the value has already shown itself in my inline games and the first two games of the ice hockey season. They show themselves particularly in the following ways...
Increased ability to skate a shift and a game out
Better decision making through a game (due being less fatigued)
Decreased recovery time between both shifts and games
Greater strength along the board and in the crease
Quicker and faster
Increased confidence.
Greater knowledge about my own and other's bodies and physical capacity
All in all, a great advance in both my hockey and life potential.
Sunday, 16 August 2015
IH Season announcement resets Off-Season plans.
The date of the start of C Grade competition has been announced to be Sunday, 13 September. Registration/orientation will be Monday, 7 September. Cost is $166 for IHSA membership, season fees won't be about $470. I am assuming Div II will have the same number of games as last season, 18 regular season and two playoff rounds of up to 3 games each.
This is good news. Less than a month to go! It is a little sooner than I had expected when setting my off-season schedule so I will need to rejig it a bit. Perhaps best to work backwards...
Sat Sep 19 - Vikings Grand Final
Wed Sep 16 - Vikings Training
Sun Sep 13 - IH season commences
Mon Sep 7 - IH registration/orientation
Sat Sep 5 - Vikings Finals 2nd Round
Wed Sep 2 - Vikings Training
Wed Aug 26 - Vikings Training
Sat Aug 22 - Vikings Finals 1st Round
Wed Aug 19 - Vikings Training
As you can see, that leaves four weeks to get ready, starting last night. If I extend the current weekly period of my off season program ('Week 7'), commencing on Wednesday the 12th of August, to end on Saturday the 22nd, I can fill in the gaps on what will for all intents and purposes be a 10 week schedule (though actually 74 days), with the last two weeks being effectively a blur between off season preparation and pre season training.
Wk 10 - S1, Ae2, An1, A1 Ice Team Training/Shinny
Wk 9 - S1, Ae2, An2 intervals, A2 pylometrics OffIce shooting, Ice Power
Wk 8 - S2 increase tempo, Ae2, An2 intervals, A2 pylometrics, OffIce shooting, Ice edges
Wk 7 - S2 reduce recovery, Ae2, An2 intervals, A1 conditioning, OffIce stickwork, Ice technique
I've updated my sidebar schedule to include the above schedule in abbreviated form.
This is good news. Less than a month to go! It is a little sooner than I had expected when setting my off-season schedule so I will need to rejig it a bit. Perhaps best to work backwards...
Sat Sep 19 - Vikings Grand Final
Wed Sep 16 - Vikings Training
Sun Sep 13 - IH season commences
Mon Sep 7 - IH registration/orientation
Sat Sep 5 - Vikings Finals 2nd Round
Wed Sep 2 - Vikings Training
Wed Aug 26 - Vikings Training
Sat Aug 22 - Vikings Finals 1st Round
Wed Aug 19 - Vikings Training
As you can see, that leaves four weeks to get ready, starting last night. If I extend the current weekly period of my off season program ('Week 7'), commencing on Wednesday the 12th of August, to end on Saturday the 22nd, I can fill in the gaps on what will for all intents and purposes be a 10 week schedule (though actually 74 days), with the last two weeks being effectively a blur between off season preparation and pre season training.
Wk 10 - S1, Ae2, An1, A1 Ice Team Training/Shinny
Wk 9 - S1, Ae2, An2 intervals, A2 pylometrics OffIce shooting, Ice Power
Wk 8 - S2 increase tempo, Ae2, An2 intervals, A2 pylometrics, OffIce shooting, Ice edges
Wk 7 - S2 reduce recovery, Ae2, An2 intervals, A1 conditioning, OffIce stickwork, Ice technique
I've updated my sidebar schedule to include the above schedule in abbreviated form.
Sunday, 9 August 2015
Game Day - Wheelers (6) d Rockers (3)
On Saturday night we played the Rockers in the early game for Round 11 of the Vikings Div II Inline Hockey Winter season. We had our full roster turn up. The Rockers had four of their regular skaters, with young Rachel playing up as a reserve and Andy in goal. If we won we remained in touch with the Bumpers at the top of the ladder, a loss and they'd clinch top spot. If they won, the Rockers would remain in touch with us for second place and a valuable second chance in the playoffs.
Our 'Young line' opened both halves, scored within the first half a minute of the game. The Rockers responded with two goals in the ensuing 12 minutes, giving them the lead and me a slightly sinking feeling. Brenton then scored to tie up the game, and Natasha hacked in another with a couple minutes to go. We led at half time 3-2, having outshot them 17-5.
In the second half, the Rockers equalised with their first of five shots for the period, resulting in the game being tied 3-3 until the 14 minute mark when Crystal put one in unassisted. Rather than go into defensive mode, we stepped it up, resulting in a one timer off my stick from an offensive faceoff win and another unassisted goal from Crystal with two minutes left. We totalled 23 more shots for the period against their 5, skating out clear winners 6-3.
We played a better team game than last week, generally down to functioning dyads or triads in each line, and a lot more communication. We also put more emphasis on taking shots, with a greater tendency for at least one skater to be rushing the net or holding their ground in front of the crease.
We ran two consistent lines through 90% of the game, only minorly mixing it up when a couple shifts needed to change on the fly (returning to standard lines shortly afterwards). Shift length was pretty evenly spread, with both lines taking short shifts on occasion.
Our only overly long shift was at the beginning of the second half, when the Young line was stuck on the rink for about five minutes (not the first time we've started the second shift like this) undoing the good work that we had done earlier when we gave the Old line a short one minute shift at the end of the first period so that the Young line could have a three minute break over half time to be relatively fresh for the beginning of the second half. We have improved a lot this year in how we do this but there is still more work to do.
In the Young Line, Natasha tended to be the 'third skater' back behind the centre line. I think she needs to trust herself a little more and play more forward, putting herself into the sights of Josh and Crystal as they create havoc deep in the offensive zone. To her credit, nothing dangerous got past her and she wasn't afraid to carry the puck in for a shot when opportunity presented. Josh and Crystal got into trouble occasionally by finding themselves too deep without an effective reset option, so if Natasha came more forward it would fulfill a number of needs.
Our Old line played slightly shorter minutes than the youngsters. We were a pretty fluid trio and didn't play fixed roles, rotating off the backline as opportunity presented. Playing with our third skater still above the redline, nothing dangerous got past us. We had enough energy left at game end to know that we could have gone longer and stronger had the need presented (in fact, all three of us played as reserves in the second Div II game later that evening).
As seems to be the case these days, I was happy with my game. I had no issues with any of my various injuries, gave myself no new aches or pains. I didn't put myself into any major anaerobic breakdown, kept my feet moving as soon as I had aerobically recharged at the end of my shifts. I was back in control of myself and ready to go again generally after a minute.
The training is paying off in other ways also. For example, I had a couple physical matchoffs with Matt (ex Wheeler) and didn't lose any of them. He is significantly heavier and more bulky than me and is not afraid of using his strength so holding my ground while protecting the puck, instead of relying on my skating to get clear, was in itself a marked improvement (as it created options).
I was involved in our second goal, getting a point for my assist pass to Brenton who scored from the slot. I had gone on a rush down the boards but faced a congested centre when I entered the zone. I held up the puck briefly, advanced, held it held it held until a passing lane opened into the slot and Brenton had come in with stick primed for the pass and his second favourite type of shot (gather, stop, aim, wind up, shoot). Goal! Besides the pleasure of this type of hockey, it also shows the benefits of varying my speed to suit the situation and create opportunities. I'll have to pay more attention to the concept of slowing down in future.
I scored my own goal with a one timer from a faceoff victory pass by Merrilyn from the right offensive faceoff dot. I hit it sweet and it rocketed in above the Goalie's pad and beneath the glove. Like most of my other shots, it was a hard shot from middle distance. Unlike most, it went through above floor level. Some of the other shots were lovely aimed snaps, but moving on the rink surface slows the puck down, allowing the goalie further time to get pad or stick in the way. If I could only lift the puck at will ... must figure out a practical practice set up to allow me to master this.
Next week we play the Bumpers in a top of table end of season clash. We can theoreticcally take top spot (if we win by 8 goals or more). This would be extremely unlikely but, if it were to happen, it would also not be inconceivable that I could score a career high six points more than Craig to take our Division's individual point scoring title from him (though his 25 goals easily ensures he will be the Division's leading goal scorer, unless Crystal scores 8 goals to take that title from him). As I said, extremely unlikely, but one of the reasons we play sport is to dream!
GP 11 G 10 A14 Pts 24 +19 8/3/0
Inline 47
Our 'Young line' opened both halves, scored within the first half a minute of the game. The Rockers responded with two goals in the ensuing 12 minutes, giving them the lead and me a slightly sinking feeling. Brenton then scored to tie up the game, and Natasha hacked in another with a couple minutes to go. We led at half time 3-2, having outshot them 17-5.
In the second half, the Rockers equalised with their first of five shots for the period, resulting in the game being tied 3-3 until the 14 minute mark when Crystal put one in unassisted. Rather than go into defensive mode, we stepped it up, resulting in a one timer off my stick from an offensive faceoff win and another unassisted goal from Crystal with two minutes left. We totalled 23 more shots for the period against their 5, skating out clear winners 6-3.
*
We ran two consistent lines through 90% of the game, only minorly mixing it up when a couple shifts needed to change on the fly (returning to standard lines shortly afterwards). Shift length was pretty evenly spread, with both lines taking short shifts on occasion.
Our only overly long shift was at the beginning of the second half, when the Young line was stuck on the rink for about five minutes (not the first time we've started the second shift like this) undoing the good work that we had done earlier when we gave the Old line a short one minute shift at the end of the first period so that the Young line could have a three minute break over half time to be relatively fresh for the beginning of the second half. We have improved a lot this year in how we do this but there is still more work to do.
In the Young Line, Natasha tended to be the 'third skater' back behind the centre line. I think she needs to trust herself a little more and play more forward, putting herself into the sights of Josh and Crystal as they create havoc deep in the offensive zone. To her credit, nothing dangerous got past her and she wasn't afraid to carry the puck in for a shot when opportunity presented. Josh and Crystal got into trouble occasionally by finding themselves too deep without an effective reset option, so if Natasha came more forward it would fulfill a number of needs.
Our Old line played slightly shorter minutes than the youngsters. We were a pretty fluid trio and didn't play fixed roles, rotating off the backline as opportunity presented. Playing with our third skater still above the redline, nothing dangerous got past us. We had enough energy left at game end to know that we could have gone longer and stronger had the need presented (in fact, all three of us played as reserves in the second Div II game later that evening).
*
As seems to be the case these days, I was happy with my game. I had no issues with any of my various injuries, gave myself no new aches or pains. I didn't put myself into any major anaerobic breakdown, kept my feet moving as soon as I had aerobically recharged at the end of my shifts. I was back in control of myself and ready to go again generally after a minute.
The training is paying off in other ways also. For example, I had a couple physical matchoffs with Matt (ex Wheeler) and didn't lose any of them. He is significantly heavier and more bulky than me and is not afraid of using his strength so holding my ground while protecting the puck, instead of relying on my skating to get clear, was in itself a marked improvement (as it created options).
I was involved in our second goal, getting a point for my assist pass to Brenton who scored from the slot. I had gone on a rush down the boards but faced a congested centre when I entered the zone. I held up the puck briefly, advanced, held it held it held until a passing lane opened into the slot and Brenton had come in with stick primed for the pass and his second favourite type of shot (gather, stop, aim, wind up, shoot). Goal! Besides the pleasure of this type of hockey, it also shows the benefits of varying my speed to suit the situation and create opportunities. I'll have to pay more attention to the concept of slowing down in future.
I scored my own goal with a one timer from a faceoff victory pass by Merrilyn from the right offensive faceoff dot. I hit it sweet and it rocketed in above the Goalie's pad and beneath the glove. Like most of my other shots, it was a hard shot from middle distance. Unlike most, it went through above floor level. Some of the other shots were lovely aimed snaps, but moving on the rink surface slows the puck down, allowing the goalie further time to get pad or stick in the way. If I could only lift the puck at will ... must figure out a practical practice set up to allow me to master this.
*
Next week we play the Bumpers in a top of table end of season clash. We can theoreticcally take top spot (if we win by 8 goals or more). This would be extremely unlikely but, if it were to happen, it would also not be inconceivable that I could score a career high six points more than Craig to take our Division's individual point scoring title from him (though his 25 goals easily ensures he will be the Division's leading goal scorer, unless Crystal scores 8 goals to take that title from him). As I said, extremely unlikely, but one of the reasons we play sport is to dream!
GP 11 G 10 A14 Pts 24 +19 8/3/0
Inline 47
Sunday, 2 August 2015
Off Season Day 33 - Injured Recovery
2 Aug - Rest
On Sunday 2 August I had an enforced rest day due injury. The night before I'd been thinking that due the leg muscle strain from the game the night before I wouldn't be able to do anything that activated the upper hamstring / glute interface, but I could do specially selected core exercises and strength work. Definitely no interval training until I am ready.
Alas, this was not to be. Because I have become naggingly aware of a right inner lower bicep strain (minor aggravation of previous hyperextension of the elbow?). This is probably due something I did in the wee hours, lifting a bunch of heavy music gear around. Bottom line of this, is that has put paid to arms and upper core work also. Which basically cuts out pretty well everything. So I spent quite a while lounging around with about twenty minutes of icing on the leg for every two to four hours. As for the arm, am just observing the strain as I work through daily life, try and figure out if simple rest or a more active treatment is advisable.
Assuming I don't get back to the program in the next day or two, this week will be a relative write off in terms of off ice progress. So it won't qualify for a green highlight on the sidebar chart that is up presently. However, it's not like I've slackened off or anything, so I won't colour it red. Maybe a neutral yellow will do. We'll see.
In any event, I obviously didn't take up on the offer to skate as a reserve in Division I. Hopefully I get another chance when able to take up on it.
On Sunday 2 August I had an enforced rest day due injury. The night before I'd been thinking that due the leg muscle strain from the game the night before I wouldn't be able to do anything that activated the upper hamstring / glute interface, but I could do specially selected core exercises and strength work. Definitely no interval training until I am ready.
Alas, this was not to be. Because I have become naggingly aware of a right inner lower bicep strain (minor aggravation of previous hyperextension of the elbow?). This is probably due something I did in the wee hours, lifting a bunch of heavy music gear around. Bottom line of this, is that has put paid to arms and upper core work also. Which basically cuts out pretty well everything. So I spent quite a while lounging around with about twenty minutes of icing on the leg for every two to four hours. As for the arm, am just observing the strain as I work through daily life, try and figure out if simple rest or a more active treatment is advisable.
Assuming I don't get back to the program in the next day or two, this week will be a relative write off in terms of off ice progress. So it won't qualify for a green highlight on the sidebar chart that is up presently. However, it's not like I've slackened off or anything, so I won't colour it red. Maybe a neutral yellow will do. We'll see.
In any event, I obviously didn't take up on the offer to skate as a reserve in Division I. Hopefully I get another chance when able to take up on it.
Saturday, 18 July 2015
Off Season Day 18 - Stepping Out
Since my most recent post about my off season work I have completed the following:
July 14 - Core / Arms
July 15 - Legs / Skating
July 16 - Rest
July 17 - Core / Legs
July 18 - Arms / Running, Upper Core
The 'Legs' session on July 15 was limited to a set of sumo squats before heading off for an hour's skating. I'll count that hour towards aerobic conditioning, particularly as I didn't drive myself to the limit.
The exercise sessions on the 14th and 17th each lasted 40-45 minutes and took their respective muscle groups to the point of fatigue in a systematic fashion. Today, I did a double circuit of weights in the afternoon (along with sets of chair arm lifts for the deltoids), giving myself relatively long recovery times between sets to emphasise muscle mass. This took about twenty minutes. Then I went for a run.
Going for a run is a momentous event for me, I have never before approached it in this systematic manner despite having always been a relatively accomplished runner when I've put my mind to it. I used a variation of my regular inline 'river circuit', with the addition of a hill climb to start with and a detour across the primary school oval at about a third of the disance. I think I'll keep using this as it has a good variety of surfaces and slopes, as well as many available minor variations if they are ever required.
My pattern was to run for a few hundred metres then walk a similar distance until my breath returned and I re-energised, then ran again. The only variation was a pause at the school to conduct a few necessary stretches. It took me about half an hour to cover the 3-4 kilometres. Got back at the point of muscle fatigue, but not quite.
I was going to leave it there for the day, concentrate on core exercises tomorrow (give the legs a break), but realised as the evening drew in that I would have felt a bit guilty of this 'corner cutting' of my original strength programme. So I did a full circuit of upper core exercises, about thirty minutes.
Have added a few more exercises to my repertoire. Swedish Ball hyperextension, McColl 'crunch', and a couple others whose names elude me at the moment.
But the big thing today was the run. It is something I'll be able to do at least twice a week. The way I'll do it will allow for measurable improvement, and can be expanded (thanks to the primary school oval) with the injection of a bit of High Intensity Anaerobic work into the routine.
Looking forward to the next week, as inline hockey training and games enters the equation.
July 14 - Core / Arms
July 15 - Legs / Skating
July 16 - Rest
July 17 - Core / Legs
July 18 - Arms / Running, Upper Core
The 'Legs' session on July 15 was limited to a set of sumo squats before heading off for an hour's skating. I'll count that hour towards aerobic conditioning, particularly as I didn't drive myself to the limit.
The exercise sessions on the 14th and 17th each lasted 40-45 minutes and took their respective muscle groups to the point of fatigue in a systematic fashion. Today, I did a double circuit of weights in the afternoon (along with sets of chair arm lifts for the deltoids), giving myself relatively long recovery times between sets to emphasise muscle mass. This took about twenty minutes. Then I went for a run.
Going for a run is a momentous event for me, I have never before approached it in this systematic manner despite having always been a relatively accomplished runner when I've put my mind to it. I used a variation of my regular inline 'river circuit', with the addition of a hill climb to start with and a detour across the primary school oval at about a third of the disance. I think I'll keep using this as it has a good variety of surfaces and slopes, as well as many available minor variations if they are ever required.
My pattern was to run for a few hundred metres then walk a similar distance until my breath returned and I re-energised, then ran again. The only variation was a pause at the school to conduct a few necessary stretches. It took me about half an hour to cover the 3-4 kilometres. Got back at the point of muscle fatigue, but not quite.
I was going to leave it there for the day, concentrate on core exercises tomorrow (give the legs a break), but realised as the evening drew in that I would have felt a bit guilty of this 'corner cutting' of my original strength programme. So I did a full circuit of upper core exercises, about thirty minutes.
Have added a few more exercises to my repertoire. Swedish Ball hyperextension, McColl 'crunch', and a couple others whose names elude me at the moment.
But the big thing today was the run. It is something I'll be able to do at least twice a week. The way I'll do it will allow for measurable improvement, and can be expanded (thanks to the primary school oval) with the injection of a bit of High Intensity Anaerobic work into the routine.
Looking forward to the next week, as inline hockey training and games enters the equation.
Monday, 13 July 2015
Off Season Day 13
As introduced here and here, I am in the throes of the strength training part of my off season. My daily schedule has been:
July 10 Upper core, arms
July 11 Rest (social ice skating)
July 12 Rest
July 13 Core, Legs
July 14 Upper core, arms *projected*
I have introduced the following into my drill repertoire - backwards chair lift, single leg balance, giant lunge, hamstring balance, lean back. I spent 45 minutes on it tonight, concentrating on legs more than core. Thus, the usual 2x10 lunges, 2x10 squats, 2 Sumo Squats of 30s, then the single leg balance 2x3 reps (3 mins), giant lunge 2x2 reps of 30s, hamstring balance 2x2 reps of 15s, upwards leg raises 10+5, side planks 2x2 reps 30s, bridge 2 x 30s, side leg raises 2x3x30s. This was a good workout for the legs in particular, didn't greatly engage the core.
Maybe it's time to divide the three day exercise cycle differently, with one day on legs, one day on upper body and one day on central core? Of course it's too academic to believe that there are such categories of body engagement in the world of ice hockey (though there may be in such fields as that of body building). Hockey is, afterall, a whole of body dynamic sport, and thus engages the entirety of the body's physical apparatus towards execution of the play. To be of any use to a hockey player, an exercise program must be as precise in execution as any play, and yet as blurry of boundaries between the disciplines as improvisation makes possible.
Thus, weight for stress on muscle mass, muscle manipulation under load for more subtle development. All the exercises except for the dumb bells come from core development programs, so I think I have done fairly well to hone them into a potentially useful tri-categorical arrangement.
On Wednesday (July 15) my intention is to commence the aerobic phase of my off season. I hope to be going social ice skating, so will have to emphasise an aerobic approach to the exercise. The following week, training (Wednesdays) and games (Saturdays) commence with the Vikings, so I will have my basic aerobic activities almost laid out for me. I might find it necessary to introduce a running session at least once a week from Week 4 to guarantee the complement of aerobic training is catered for before Anaerobic exercise starts supplanting the aerobic qualities of Vikings activities (supplemented in week five with either commencing ice hockey training, high intensity sprints, or some such).
It's a lot to take on board, but the clock is ticking.
July 10 Upper core, arms
July 11 Rest (social ice skating)
July 12 Rest
July 13 Core, Legs
July 14 Upper core, arms *projected*
I have introduced the following into my drill repertoire - backwards chair lift, single leg balance, giant lunge, hamstring balance, lean back. I spent 45 minutes on it tonight, concentrating on legs more than core. Thus, the usual 2x10 lunges, 2x10 squats, 2 Sumo Squats of 30s, then the single leg balance 2x3 reps (3 mins), giant lunge 2x2 reps of 30s, hamstring balance 2x2 reps of 15s, upwards leg raises 10+5, side planks 2x2 reps 30s, bridge 2 x 30s, side leg raises 2x3x30s. This was a good workout for the legs in particular, didn't greatly engage the core.
Maybe it's time to divide the three day exercise cycle differently, with one day on legs, one day on upper body and one day on central core? Of course it's too academic to believe that there are such categories of body engagement in the world of ice hockey (though there may be in such fields as that of body building). Hockey is, afterall, a whole of body dynamic sport, and thus engages the entirety of the body's physical apparatus towards execution of the play. To be of any use to a hockey player, an exercise program must be as precise in execution as any play, and yet as blurry of boundaries between the disciplines as improvisation makes possible.
Thus, weight for stress on muscle mass, muscle manipulation under load for more subtle development. All the exercises except for the dumb bells come from core development programs, so I think I have done fairly well to hone them into a potentially useful tri-categorical arrangement.
On Wednesday (July 15) my intention is to commence the aerobic phase of my off season. I hope to be going social ice skating, so will have to emphasise an aerobic approach to the exercise. The following week, training (Wednesdays) and games (Saturdays) commence with the Vikings, so I will have my basic aerobic activities almost laid out for me. I might find it necessary to introduce a running session at least once a week from Week 4 to guarantee the complement of aerobic training is catered for before Anaerobic exercise starts supplanting the aerobic qualities of Vikings activities (supplemented in week five with either commencing ice hockey training, high intensity sprints, or some such).
It's a lot to take on board, but the clock is ticking.
Sunday, 12 July 2015
Everybody needs a plan...
Yesterday morning I spent a while reading and thinking about how I am approaching my off/pre-season conditioning/training program. In particular, the next 'phase', being a stepping up from my present forcus on strength training to one that includes my aerobic and anaerobic energy systems.
I am 'phasing' the lead-in to the pre-season and its concentration upon skills and teamwork with a four-phase program, encompassing strength, energy systems, agility and quickness. All going well, it would be good to make the leap (!) to pylometrics before I change gears entirely into the season proper. As pylometric (hopping and jumping drills) should only be approached when one is otherwise in good condition, this gives me a good goal for this aspect of my training.
I have made the assumption that the off-/pre-season will last twelve weeks. I have nearly completed two weeks. If I wish to achieve some significant physical payoff, regenerate the strength of my right leg, increase my upper body and core muscle power (though not much if any mass) I will have to keep up the present intensity on this front for at least a month, ideally two. By the end of the second month I would like to have transitted to the increasingly hockey specific phase of 'agility'.
Thus, my periodic off season schedule for the coming weeks gains greater clarity:
Wk 1 S(trength) I
Wk 2 S II
Wk 3 S II, Ae(robic) I
Wk 4 S II, Ae II, An(aerobic) I
Wk 5 S II, Ae II, An II
Wk 6 S II, Ae II, An II
Wk 7 S II, Ae I, An II, A(gility) I
Wk 8 S II, Ae I, An I, A II
Wk 9 S I , Ae I, An I, A II, Q(uikness) I
Wk 10 S I, Ae I, Q II
Wk 11 Pre Season
Wk 12 Pre Season
S I = Core and arms staple drills off season (upper body only during season)
S II = SI + rotating extra drills legs and core
Ae I = Minimal Aerobic workouts (eg, 2 of inline game or training, jog)
Ae II = Ae I + additional aerobic workout activity
An I = Minimal Anaerobic workout (eg. 2 of inline game or training)
An II = An I + High Intensity Workouts
AI = Agility I *to be determined* (thoughts of Mt Lofty come to mind)
AII = AI + *to be determined*
QI = Quickness drills
QII = Q1 + Pylometrics
Through it all, I'll have to also re-establish contact with the ice (public skating, shinnies, knight's training, academy are all options).
It's a plan, anyway...
I am 'phasing' the lead-in to the pre-season and its concentration upon skills and teamwork with a four-phase program, encompassing strength, energy systems, agility and quickness. All going well, it would be good to make the leap (!) to pylometrics before I change gears entirely into the season proper. As pylometric (hopping and jumping drills) should only be approached when one is otherwise in good condition, this gives me a good goal for this aspect of my training.
I have made the assumption that the off-/pre-season will last twelve weeks. I have nearly completed two weeks. If I wish to achieve some significant physical payoff, regenerate the strength of my right leg, increase my upper body and core muscle power (though not much if any mass) I will have to keep up the present intensity on this front for at least a month, ideally two. By the end of the second month I would like to have transitted to the increasingly hockey specific phase of 'agility'.
Thus, my periodic off season schedule for the coming weeks gains greater clarity:
Wk 1 S(trength) I
Wk 2 S II
Wk 3 S II, Ae(robic) I
Wk 4 S II, Ae II, An(aerobic) I
Wk 5 S II, Ae II, An II
Wk 6 S II, Ae II, An II
Wk 7 S II, Ae I, An II, A(gility) I
Wk 8 S II, Ae I, An I, A II
Wk 9 S I , Ae I, An I, A II, Q(uikness) I
Wk 10 S I, Ae I, Q II
Wk 11 Pre Season
Wk 12 Pre Season
S I = Core and arms staple drills off season (upper body only during season)
S II = SI + rotating extra drills legs and core
Ae I = Minimal Aerobic workouts (eg, 2 of inline game or training, jog)
Ae II = Ae I + additional aerobic workout activity
An I = Minimal Anaerobic workout (eg. 2 of inline game or training)
An II = An I + High Intensity Workouts
AI = Agility I *to be determined* (thoughts of Mt Lofty come to mind)
AII = AI + *to be determined*
QI = Quickness drills
QII = Q1 + Pylometrics
Through it all, I'll have to also re-establish contact with the ice (public skating, shinnies, knight's training, academy are all options).
It's a plan, anyway...
Tuesday, 7 July 2015
Fuzzy Wheeler Stats
The other night I worked out a bunch of stats for the top two teams in our Div II competition. Sadly, it appears I failed to save the results of my calculations so I won't be able to record them for posterity unless I go through the tedious counting and calculating all over again. No doubt it would be simpler to do the second time around, but I still can't be bothered. So I'll post my statistically inspired ruminations in their more fuzzy form.
I was able to derive comparative team statistics of Shooting Percentage (Goals/Shots on Goal), Save Percentage (Goals Against/Shots on Goal Against) and a raw team Corsi Percentage (SOG/(SOG+SOGA). I only worked up the numbers for the top two teams because we are drawing clear ahead of the other two. Although the sample size is only eight games (320 minutes), the regular season is only 12 games so it's a fair sample for that purpose, albeit subject to a large range of apparent variablility and wild regressions.
For interest's sake, I also looked at how many points the players on the teams generate as a measure of 'assisting goals' - this last due to the ready availability of the stats and the different styles of play of the two teams. For all the statistical weaknesses of my data, it is what I have so I made the most of it.
From what I recall, our shooting percentage dropped from 23% to 21% from game 7, Save Percentage went up a percentage point to 86%, Corsi remained about the same at 65%. About two thirds of our goals are 'assisted'. The Bumpers SP% was 21% (holding even), SV% was 91%, Corsi 57%. Less than a third of their goals were 'assisted'.
Until recently, the Big Question about hockey stats was whether they show something meaningful about the performance and style of the team/player analysed. That question has been answered fairly conclusively in the affirmative in the NHL world, and will no doubt permeate far and wide as a result. This small study is another affirmation of this answer, because what it shows does reflect the performance and stylistic difference between the two teams studied.
For example. After our most recent game against the Rockers it was interesting to hear what spectators and our opponents thought, as well as what our own opinions were. It seemed to me that we basically weathered the early storm, suppressed shots and shot attempts through the game, increasingly played our defensive game (ie. when we didn't have possession of the puck) up their end of the rink, passed the puck around a lot, combined to outfox the goalie and score our goals. I was told by both observers and opponents that they rarely had uncontested possession, couldn't get shots off, and we played an 'ice hockey style of game' with a lot of (passing) 'triangles' making it hard to get the puck off of us. In other words, we seem to play an aggressive as well as attractive team game and don't rely on any one player for options. Which is pretty cool for a Div II inline hockey team at the bottom of the world!
The Key stat, of course, is WINS. The Bumpers have 7 and we have 6. They have a total of 43 goals to our 40, and we have two more goals against than they do. Thus, we need to beat them by three or more goals next week if we want to take top spot.
It looks like being a great game.
I was able to derive comparative team statistics of Shooting Percentage (Goals/Shots on Goal), Save Percentage (Goals Against/Shots on Goal Against) and a raw team Corsi Percentage (SOG/(SOG+SOGA). I only worked up the numbers for the top two teams because we are drawing clear ahead of the other two. Although the sample size is only eight games (320 minutes), the regular season is only 12 games so it's a fair sample for that purpose, albeit subject to a large range of apparent variablility and wild regressions.
For interest's sake, I also looked at how many points the players on the teams generate as a measure of 'assisting goals' - this last due to the ready availability of the stats and the different styles of play of the two teams. For all the statistical weaknesses of my data, it is what I have so I made the most of it.
From what I recall, our shooting percentage dropped from 23% to 21% from game 7, Save Percentage went up a percentage point to 86%, Corsi remained about the same at 65%. About two thirds of our goals are 'assisted'. The Bumpers SP% was 21% (holding even), SV% was 91%, Corsi 57%. Less than a third of their goals were 'assisted'.
Until recently, the Big Question about hockey stats was whether they show something meaningful about the performance and style of the team/player analysed. That question has been answered fairly conclusively in the affirmative in the NHL world, and will no doubt permeate far and wide as a result. This small study is another affirmation of this answer, because what it shows does reflect the performance and stylistic difference between the two teams studied.
For example. After our most recent game against the Rockers it was interesting to hear what spectators and our opponents thought, as well as what our own opinions were. It seemed to me that we basically weathered the early storm, suppressed shots and shot attempts through the game, increasingly played our defensive game (ie. when we didn't have possession of the puck) up their end of the rink, passed the puck around a lot, combined to outfox the goalie and score our goals. I was told by both observers and opponents that they rarely had uncontested possession, couldn't get shots off, and we played an 'ice hockey style of game' with a lot of (passing) 'triangles' making it hard to get the puck off of us. In other words, we seem to play an aggressive as well as attractive team game and don't rely on any one player for options. Which is pretty cool for a Div II inline hockey team at the bottom of the world!
The Key stat, of course, is WINS. The Bumpers have 7 and we have 6. They have a total of 43 goals to our 40, and we have two more goals against than they do. Thus, we need to beat them by three or more goals next week if we want to take top spot.
It looks like being a great game.
Tuesday, 26 May 2015
Exercise Induced Asthma Attack - Pt 2
Continues (after a hiatus) from the previous post. I'll keep this short as I have a fair bit to catch up on from my hiatus period.
I was still thinking of managing this on my own as I rolled from the rink, hoping to get to my keys and then my car with as little fuss as possible. I was relieved, however, when I was met by one of the good citizens of Viking Nation as I started to make my way up the back corridor, asking if I was alright and if I needed anything. I said I needed a 'puffer' and he said follow me and from that moment on I was in the hands of good people.
Before I knew it I was being taught to use a 'spacer' device with a puffer, had people measuring my heartbeat as I had more ventolin than I thought was safe but which I was assured was within limits. At four puffs every ten minutes, each puff being inhaled four times through the 'spacer', I was getting the ability to speak in short sentences back within the half hour. It was about then that an off duty nurse called her paramedic friend and sought some basic advice, then they conferred with me about calling an ambulance. They weren't keen to put more ventolin into me without medical supervision as my heart was racing along. Early in the piece it had been 140, it was down to about 90 by the time the ambo's measured it. They said they'd like to take me to hospital. Not totally reluctantly, I agreed.
There followed my first ever trip in an ambulance, chatting the medic in the back as she gathered info from me before depositing me in the waiting room. One of the hockey family who'd been caring for me back at the rink drove separately and together we waited and chatted in the room for a couple hours. At some point a nurse checked my various signs. I waited some more and watched the passing parade of broken bones and crying kids which is the typical fare of an early Saturday night in Gawler.
Eventually it was my turn and I got to see the gruff middle aged Malaysian doctor who never repeated himself and was all business. I think once he worked out I wasn't a drunken thug and I was interested in what he was doing he slowed down his speech a little, took a little extra time to explain or describe what he was doing and what he observed and what he thought as he went along. I walked out of their feeling better about my lungs than when I'd gone in, with a script for some preventative medication to help avoid in future, the earnest intention to see my own doctor some time in the not too distant future and a general feeling of wellness. Not typical for someone leaving hospital, I'll warrant!
The whole experience was pretty enlightening. At no point had I panicked or even really gotten scared. I appreciated being able to trust others to guide my decisions, and the obvious concern but respectful distance provided by the club's members. It meant a lot to have opposition members check in on me as I slowly recovered on the sidelines.
For the record, I think the attack was due a combination of factors, a 'perfect storm' as it were, that just awaited the right trigger moment. Which I provided when I didn't do any real prepatory skating, thus not warming up my airways, thus allowing huge lung fulls of very cold air to penetrated very deep and shock everything into paralysis of the airways. The combination of factors was the fact that I'd been a little 'off colour' for a few days (though not even arising to a level of a low grade cold), the cold and dry weather, the burning off that was occuring in rural south australia, and my own personal 'static' factors (smoker, history of bronchial complaint, middle aged) and it was an attack waiting to happen.
Sigh.
I was still thinking of managing this on my own as I rolled from the rink, hoping to get to my keys and then my car with as little fuss as possible. I was relieved, however, when I was met by one of the good citizens of Viking Nation as I started to make my way up the back corridor, asking if I was alright and if I needed anything. I said I needed a 'puffer' and he said follow me and from that moment on I was in the hands of good people.
Before I knew it I was being taught to use a 'spacer' device with a puffer, had people measuring my heartbeat as I had more ventolin than I thought was safe but which I was assured was within limits. At four puffs every ten minutes, each puff being inhaled four times through the 'spacer', I was getting the ability to speak in short sentences back within the half hour. It was about then that an off duty nurse called her paramedic friend and sought some basic advice, then they conferred with me about calling an ambulance. They weren't keen to put more ventolin into me without medical supervision as my heart was racing along. Early in the piece it had been 140, it was down to about 90 by the time the ambo's measured it. They said they'd like to take me to hospital. Not totally reluctantly, I agreed.
There followed my first ever trip in an ambulance, chatting the medic in the back as she gathered info from me before depositing me in the waiting room. One of the hockey family who'd been caring for me back at the rink drove separately and together we waited and chatted in the room for a couple hours. At some point a nurse checked my various signs. I waited some more and watched the passing parade of broken bones and crying kids which is the typical fare of an early Saturday night in Gawler.
Eventually it was my turn and I got to see the gruff middle aged Malaysian doctor who never repeated himself and was all business. I think once he worked out I wasn't a drunken thug and I was interested in what he was doing he slowed down his speech a little, took a little extra time to explain or describe what he was doing and what he observed and what he thought as he went along. I walked out of their feeling better about my lungs than when I'd gone in, with a script for some preventative medication to help avoid in future, the earnest intention to see my own doctor some time in the not too distant future and a general feeling of wellness. Not typical for someone leaving hospital, I'll warrant!
The whole experience was pretty enlightening. At no point had I panicked or even really gotten scared. I appreciated being able to trust others to guide my decisions, and the obvious concern but respectful distance provided by the club's members. It meant a lot to have opposition members check in on me as I slowly recovered on the sidelines.
For the record, I think the attack was due a combination of factors, a 'perfect storm' as it were, that just awaited the right trigger moment. Which I provided when I didn't do any real prepatory skating, thus not warming up my airways, thus allowing huge lung fulls of very cold air to penetrated very deep and shock everything into paralysis of the airways. The combination of factors was the fact that I'd been a little 'off colour' for a few days (though not even arising to a level of a low grade cold), the cold and dry weather, the burning off that was occuring in rural south australia, and my own personal 'static' factors (smoker, history of bronchial complaint, middle aged) and it was an attack waiting to happen.
Sigh.
Monday, 13 April 2015
The Week and a Bit that was.
April 2nd (Easter Thursday) was Blake's first hockey training with his new team mates and opponents. He'd been wary due the fact that he had a school sports day beforehand, but made it and did his best and did quite well. He will account for himself well in this league, didn't embarass himself despite being one of the youngest, smallest and least experienced players out there.
April 3rd (Good Friday) I went down the school in the late morning before my day was going to get busy. I realised very quickly that Good Friday was not going to be the day to be shooting record scores. In fact, my heart wasn't in it at all and for the first time ever I abandoned my shooting drills through lack of interest. Instead, I just lazily skated around the court for about twenty minutes of low intensity half hearted drills. Then I skated home.
As a side note, we had two groups of visitors, afternoon and evening. In the afternoon I met Vic, a Canadian who had (of course) once played hockey. In the evening I met Neil, who had played ice hockey some time in the eighties in Adelaide. First time ever I met these guys, first time ever I've met two people in one day who have a hockey history independent of mine.
April 4th (Easter Saturday), I confirmed my willingness to play inline hockey at Gawler in the winter season. On the assumption I'll play 2nd Division again, I opted to stick with the Wheelers as first preference but stated could change teams, divisions, days available (eg can play either Saturday or Sunday) to suit the coordinator's needs.
I also got confirmation that will be in the first Noarlunga Shinny of the off season, two weeks later. There are more skaters than spots available for these shows, is great to be in at the start. I won't be attending them too frequently, but it is really nice to know that I'm able to play with this group of comrades. It will be fun to play and compare tales of our respective seasons and experiences.
April 5th (Easter), take a friend (Steve) to watch the C Grade All Stars game at the Ice Arena. It was his first ever game and he enjoyed it more than he thought he would. He ended up watching the whole of what turned out to be a good competitive game.
April 8, I walked around with a grin for the rest of the day once I learned that Edmonton had beat the LA Kings 4-2, making things very tough for LA to get into the playoffs (they subsequently failed to do so). I was too tired after a busy day at work to go skating that night, so for the second Wednesday in a row didn't go to the Ice Arena.
April 11, Go skating down the school in the morning and put a couple hundred shots on target. Interspersed with about eight drills of limited duration involving puck carrying and handling. Didn't push it hard either at the school or on the hill climb home due the fact that I hadn't skated for over a week and was a little light on hydration. For my efforts, scored a record 35% shooting rate for the first hundred shots!
7/10/12/6, 8/8/6/3 (30%)
So, despite very little skating, not a bad week and a bit. I have had a good rest. Perhaps as a result, have noticed my knee is almost back to full mobility - there is no discomfort or pain produced in any of the postures and angles that previously did so. Just in time for the commencement of my off season campaign.
Inline 25 and 26
April 3rd (Good Friday) I went down the school in the late morning before my day was going to get busy. I realised very quickly that Good Friday was not going to be the day to be shooting record scores. In fact, my heart wasn't in it at all and for the first time ever I abandoned my shooting drills through lack of interest. Instead, I just lazily skated around the court for about twenty minutes of low intensity half hearted drills. Then I skated home.
As a side note, we had two groups of visitors, afternoon and evening. In the afternoon I met Vic, a Canadian who had (of course) once played hockey. In the evening I met Neil, who had played ice hockey some time in the eighties in Adelaide. First time ever I met these guys, first time ever I've met two people in one day who have a hockey history independent of mine.
April 4th (Easter Saturday), I confirmed my willingness to play inline hockey at Gawler in the winter season. On the assumption I'll play 2nd Division again, I opted to stick with the Wheelers as first preference but stated could change teams, divisions, days available (eg can play either Saturday or Sunday) to suit the coordinator's needs.
I also got confirmation that will be in the first Noarlunga Shinny of the off season, two weeks later. There are more skaters than spots available for these shows, is great to be in at the start. I won't be attending them too frequently, but it is really nice to know that I'm able to play with this group of comrades. It will be fun to play and compare tales of our respective seasons and experiences.
April 5th (Easter), take a friend (Steve) to watch the C Grade All Stars game at the Ice Arena. It was his first ever game and he enjoyed it more than he thought he would. He ended up watching the whole of what turned out to be a good competitive game.
April 8, I walked around with a grin for the rest of the day once I learned that Edmonton had beat the LA Kings 4-2, making things very tough for LA to get into the playoffs (they subsequently failed to do so). I was too tired after a busy day at work to go skating that night, so for the second Wednesday in a row didn't go to the Ice Arena.
April 11, Go skating down the school in the morning and put a couple hundred shots on target. Interspersed with about eight drills of limited duration involving puck carrying and handling. Didn't push it hard either at the school or on the hill climb home due the fact that I hadn't skated for over a week and was a little light on hydration. For my efforts, scored a record 35% shooting rate for the first hundred shots!
7/10/12/6, 8/8/6/3 (30%)
So, despite very little skating, not a bad week and a bit. I have had a good rest. Perhaps as a result, have noticed my knee is almost back to full mobility - there is no discomfort or pain produced in any of the postures and angles that previously did so. Just in time for the commencement of my off season campaign.
Inline 25 and 26
Friday, 27 March 2015
Wednesday skate, derby players, knee and family updates
Last night I went down the Ice Arena for the first time in a fortnight, enjoying a social skate with Jess and Craig. There were quite a few people there, including a number of women who knew each other and who, despite all but one wearing blue house skates, all knew how to skate. Their kneepads and wrist guards, not to mention the weird and dangerous looking powerslide stopping techniques of their leader, gave them away as inline skaters. This was only confirmed by the fact that several wore, or had at least brought along, a pink tracksuit top with a roller derbyish team name on the back. They stuck it out and weren't afraid to have a go. We skaters are indeed a brave bunch.
I spent about 90 minutes evenly between highish speed laps, backwards and forwards edge work, tight turns and transitions in the corners, buzzing around chatting. I tried to keep an awareness of my posture and stance throughout. At the end of the session I felt I'd had good workout.
Today, can feel at times a tiredness in the muscle structure linking above and below my right knee, but apart from that all is good. It's been just on six months since I had my knee crashed while playing with the Knights. I think it is strong enough now to cope with what I plan to do over winter in my 'off season' (though will still be playing inline hockey with the Vikings).
Jess is coming along in her inimitable fashion, making big breakthroughs in crossover and stopping technique. A is apparently loving his lessons earlier in the day. B's training with Pee Wee hockey starts next Thursday, and the season in less than a month. I play my Grand Final on Saturday afternoon with the Wheelers, Jess played in a netball Grand Final on Monday night. The Grand Final playoff series for C Grade Ice Hockey also happens over the weekend (Flyers won game 1 against the Redwings with an overtime goal).
It's a grand time of year.
Ice 22
I spent about 90 minutes evenly between highish speed laps, backwards and forwards edge work, tight turns and transitions in the corners, buzzing around chatting. I tried to keep an awareness of my posture and stance throughout. At the end of the session I felt I'd had good workout.
Today, can feel at times a tiredness in the muscle structure linking above and below my right knee, but apart from that all is good. It's been just on six months since I had my knee crashed while playing with the Knights. I think it is strong enough now to cope with what I plan to do over winter in my 'off season' (though will still be playing inline hockey with the Vikings).
Jess is coming along in her inimitable fashion, making big breakthroughs in crossover and stopping technique. A is apparently loving his lessons earlier in the day. B's training with Pee Wee hockey starts next Thursday, and the season in less than a month. I play my Grand Final on Saturday afternoon with the Wheelers, Jess played in a netball Grand Final on Monday night. The Grand Final playoff series for C Grade Ice Hockey also happens over the weekend (Flyers won game 1 against the Redwings with an overtime goal).
It's a grand time of year.
Ice 22
Saturday, 21 March 2015
Beards, and a (weak) Chuck Norris joke.
From Oilers Nation:
#77
MessyEH!
Wanye wrote:
DOES ANYONE ELSE CORRELATE EBERLES HOT STREAK TO HIS SEXY BEARD? PLEASE PROVIDE STATISTICAL PROOFS IN YOUR COMMENTS
A rugged beard creates 100% more awesomeness. This awesomeness transcends the galaxy, to effect everything.
14s beard is such a beard.They only come around once every 2 thousand years. Moses had such a beard. Jesus had a kick ass beard. Now one Jordan Eberle has found the power of the beard.
From ancient scripture
"One beard to rule them all, One beard to find them, One beard to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them."
Chuck Norris is jealous of Ebs epic beard right now.
I can only agree with the sentiments (albeit, Chuck Norris could only ever envy Chuck Norris, I'm sure!).
14s beard is such a beard.They only come around once every 2 thousand years. Moses had such a beard. Jesus had a kick ass beard. Now one Jordan Eberle has found the power of the beard.
From ancient scripture
"One beard to rule them all, One beard to find them, One beard to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them."
Chuck Norris is jealous of Ebs epic beard right now.
I can only agree with the sentiments (albeit, Chuck Norris could only ever envy Chuck Norris, I'm sure!).
A finals week off - Part 1
The Wheelers' win last Saturday night marked the start of a two week break from competitive hockey, with the next game being the Grand Final next Saturday night. I've learned that a week off can be a dangerous thing, especially when about to play a winner take all final. So I've made an effort to remain hockey focused during this past week. This has been both on and off of my skates. This post is about the off-skate hockey week I've had.
Last Sunday, I watched the last two periods of the Redwings v Kings Game at the Ice Arena. This was the second of their first round playoff series of three games. The Kings had won the first. This game, the Wings won. After this game I watched the first period of the Flyers v Sharks. It didn't seem as high a standard as what I'd just seen, though I did think that Jana was playing an excellent game in D for the Sharks.
On Monday, I watched the Edmonton Oilers score four goals in ten minutes to beat the Leafs 4-1. As an Oilers Fan it was good to watch, that ten minutes. Their season has been awful, though I have gotten to appreciate it in all its depths due the fact that I am subscribed to NHL and have therefore watched maybe twenty games online, some of them live. Tomorrow I might watch them play the Flyers.
On Thursday I went back to the Ice Arena to watch the deciding game between the Redwings and Kings, along with about 150 other viewers. That's pretty good for a C grade game. It really felt like playoff hockey and was a great game to watch. Redwings won out 2-1 and went through to the finals against the Flyers. Renee scored the game winning goal in the third, I thought she played a great game. In fact, it was great to see a bunch of players I've played with and against over the past year having a really good game.
Friday, I watched Winnipeg defeat the Blues 2-1. I had thought it would be a tight defensively strong game, which it was. And it was pretty exciting at the same time, the goalies (particularly Pavalec for the Jets) really shone. Both the style of game and skater were markedly different from Edmonton's smaller framed more agile set of play and player. If Edmonton can one day make 'it' work, they'll be fantastic (yawn). Until then, I have a soft spot for the Jets and if they make the playoffs they'll be who I follow.
Today (Saturday) I drove the hippy van to Gawler to watch the Semi Final between the Shufflers and the Rockers. To my surprise, the Rockers with only four skaters came out clear winners over the full strength Shufflers. Paul scored 5 of the Rockers 8 goals against the Shufflers only getting 3. The Pfeiffers were there also to scout it out. I think we are agreed that we are playing the preferable opponent next week, but we'll have to be on our A game again. Should be good.
When I got home this evening I had the house to myself so started to watch a bit of A League soccer (Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory) when realised the third Mighty Ducks movie was on another channel. So I've just watched the third Mighty Ducks movie. A bit of an eye opener. I did like the philosophy of the D presented as the team's core - being confident without the puck, not too careful, not too careless. A bit disturbing to see the portrayal of juvenile hockey concussions (meant as comedy when filmed, with what we know about head injuries twenty years later it has becoming horrible viewing), or the romanticism of the 'Bash Brothers' as the way to deal with physical opponents. Anyways, a good film.
Finally, United drew 2-2 against the Victory.
Last Sunday, I watched the last two periods of the Redwings v Kings Game at the Ice Arena. This was the second of their first round playoff series of three games. The Kings had won the first. This game, the Wings won. After this game I watched the first period of the Flyers v Sharks. It didn't seem as high a standard as what I'd just seen, though I did think that Jana was playing an excellent game in D for the Sharks.
On Monday, I watched the Edmonton Oilers score four goals in ten minutes to beat the Leafs 4-1. As an Oilers Fan it was good to watch, that ten minutes. Their season has been awful, though I have gotten to appreciate it in all its depths due the fact that I am subscribed to NHL and have therefore watched maybe twenty games online, some of them live. Tomorrow I might watch them play the Flyers.
On Thursday I went back to the Ice Arena to watch the deciding game between the Redwings and Kings, along with about 150 other viewers. That's pretty good for a C grade game. It really felt like playoff hockey and was a great game to watch. Redwings won out 2-1 and went through to the finals against the Flyers. Renee scored the game winning goal in the third, I thought she played a great game. In fact, it was great to see a bunch of players I've played with and against over the past year having a really good game.
Friday, I watched Winnipeg defeat the Blues 2-1. I had thought it would be a tight defensively strong game, which it was. And it was pretty exciting at the same time, the goalies (particularly Pavalec for the Jets) really shone. Both the style of game and skater were markedly different from Edmonton's smaller framed more agile set of play and player. If Edmonton can one day make 'it' work, they'll be fantastic (yawn). Until then, I have a soft spot for the Jets and if they make the playoffs they'll be who I follow.
Today (Saturday) I drove the hippy van to Gawler to watch the Semi Final between the Shufflers and the Rockers. To my surprise, the Rockers with only four skaters came out clear winners over the full strength Shufflers. Paul scored 5 of the Rockers 8 goals against the Shufflers only getting 3. The Pfeiffers were there also to scout it out. I think we are agreed that we are playing the preferable opponent next week, but we'll have to be on our A game again. Should be good.
When I got home this evening I had the house to myself so started to watch a bit of A League soccer (Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory) when realised the third Mighty Ducks movie was on another channel. So I've just watched the third Mighty Ducks movie. A bit of an eye opener. I did like the philosophy of the D presented as the team's core - being confident without the puck, not too careful, not too careless. A bit disturbing to see the portrayal of juvenile hockey concussions (meant as comedy when filmed, with what we know about head injuries twenty years later it has becoming horrible viewing), or the romanticism of the 'Bash Brothers' as the way to deal with physical opponents. Anyways, a good film.
Finally, United drew 2-2 against the Victory.
Monday, 9 March 2015
Seasonal Thoughts
The Knights' summer season ended tonight with a 5-1 victory against the Sharks. I will write the traditional Game Day post in a day or two when I have more time. Suffice to say that we had twelve skaters show up, ran three lines and three D, I played D all game, it felt nice to win again. Our game was good, a real team-ness happening with lots of talking, support and crisp passes. Being the last game of the season it was also very exhausting. Exhausting and exhilerating.
That sort of stands for the experience of the whole season, exhausting but exhilerating. At a personal level, the pre-season was my first ever taste of serious preparation (strength, agility, quickness, conditioning). The results were evident in the first period of the first game. And then, a PCL injury with only minutes to go, which kept me off skates for a week and set my physique back to pre-pre-season levels. I limped into the Christmas break, quite literally.
Through the silly season, went for a week without skating, the longest break I've had since September 2013. The knee was coming good in itself, full motion and mobility and no discomfort, and I had a new set of skates (Bauer 160s). I was still breaking in the skates when the season got underway in January. I celebrated by getting a new Easton stick to mark the occasion.
The back end of the season has been very enjoyable. The team seems to have morphed into something far more organic than it has been since I joined. We have stuck it out, returned when it would have been easier not to, changed our lives to get as many games in as we could. Most of the time it meant that we could run nine or ten skaters, which is tough minutes for all. Tonight we ran twelve, and showed what we are capable of.
And now we say good bye to at least two Knights. Christian has been drafted by the Blackhawks and Lachy 'traded' to the Kings. I have a horrible feeling we might lose one or two to Division One. Which means we need to get some more guys (or gals) in.
Joy.
It's been a great year. On to the next!
That sort of stands for the experience of the whole season, exhausting but exhilerating. At a personal level, the pre-season was my first ever taste of serious preparation (strength, agility, quickness, conditioning). The results were evident in the first period of the first game. And then, a PCL injury with only minutes to go, which kept me off skates for a week and set my physique back to pre-pre-season levels. I limped into the Christmas break, quite literally.
Through the silly season, went for a week without skating, the longest break I've had since September 2013. The knee was coming good in itself, full motion and mobility and no discomfort, and I had a new set of skates (Bauer 160s). I was still breaking in the skates when the season got underway in January. I celebrated by getting a new Easton stick to mark the occasion.
The back end of the season has been very enjoyable. The team seems to have morphed into something far more organic than it has been since I joined. We have stuck it out, returned when it would have been easier not to, changed our lives to get as many games in as we could. Most of the time it meant that we could run nine or ten skaters, which is tough minutes for all. Tonight we ran twelve, and showed what we are capable of.
And now we say good bye to at least two Knights. Christian has been drafted by the Blackhawks and Lachy 'traded' to the Kings. I have a horrible feeling we might lose one or two to Division One. Which means we need to get some more guys (or gals) in.
Joy.
It's been a great year. On to the next!
Sunday, 1 March 2015
Age doth not weary him...
I've
got a lot of experience and there's a lot of young guys. It's even
making me excited a little more. It's kind of a new life. At my age,
I feel like I know a lot of things what to do, but I just cannot do it
anymore. It's a lot easier to tell them what to do because they've still
got the legs and hands to do it. I just know things, but I cannot do
them anymore.
— Jaromir Jagr after making his Panthers debut in a win against the Sabres on Saturday
NHL.com likes its quote for the day. Today, the above was the quote (it'll probably be different by the time you look at it). I think it shows the value of continuing to play the grizzled veterans, for them as well as the organisation.
Not that I'm kidding myself, being a few years senior to Jaromir. With my combined total of 60 ice and inline hockey games (as of tonight) I am only now beginning to experience the sense of 'play' on the ice, and only now feeling a sense of comfort within my body and its abilities. But there are still things us older players can show some of the younger guys.
So, as long as we can hold our spot on the basis of our ability, we should be able to keep on playing. And so should Jaromir.
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