We're just closing out a Queen's Birthday long weekend as I write this. Last year we went to Melbourne to watch the Canadians and Americans play at Rod Laver Arena. This year, an ice hockey jamboree at the Ice Arena.
Kids came from all over Australia, around a hundred between 6 and 12. All the local members of the Ice Hockey Family kicked in to help it happen, so there was no direct cost for the kids to participate. They had to be registered hockey players, so they all knew how to skate, and all the rest was built up with good will and organisation.
They had to register by 8am on Friday morning. Then they each had 2 x one and a half hour sessions on the ice, another on Saturday, two on Sunday, and three more hours today. That's a lot of ice time! Except for today's sessions, they were all built around a simple format of three 'stations' going at all times (the two halves of the big ice plus the small ice) with the kids divided into permanent groups for the weekend rotating through them all twice in a session, each station offering a different series of drills each time. In addition to this basic format, the large ice stations built their drills around varieties of battle drills, with shifts of 3, 4 or 5 players per team. The small ice was more 'light hearted', concentrating on skating games.
On Sunday afternoon there was a barbeque in a nearby park, showcasing one of Adelaide's design features (a belt of parklands around the CBD). Lovely food and a lot of kids having fun with the locals. A couple hours went by quickly before the Sunday arvo/evening sessions commenced back at the Ice Arena.
By the time the kids got to Monday they'd had up to seven hours of concentrated training over the previous three days. They put it all together in a 'tournament' whereby the groups that had got to play together all weekend got to play in (unscored) games against their peers' teams in a round robin style tournament. This was great to watch, the improvement in playing style, ability and skill amongst the whole group had raised, as had the level of intensity and mindfulness in the players. Great to watch!
I didn't stay around but apparently there was a closing ceremony where every kid got a medallion and puck (they'd gotten a cool cap at the opening), and one award was given out for the most determined/improved player of the weekend, which went to a young fellow named Josh who suffers (?) dwarfism but didn't let that stop him being a very effective defenceman. I know I was impressed with his play as well as his tenacity over the weekend and it was nice to know he was rewarded for it.
I was pretty buggered by the end of the weekend, and I just watched! I reckon there'll be a few tired bodies being dragged to school tomorrow!
Fridge
Tuesday, 9 June 2015
Saturday, 6 June 2015
Wednesday Vikings Training
On Wednesday I went to Gawler after work for my fourth training session this season. There was a mix of players there, four from 2nd and Premier Divisions, seven from Div I. Started with player to player passing with forehand and backhand (teamed up with Bec from the Shufflers for this), suicide sprints (in ice terminology, 'blue, red, blue and far red' lines and back in turn at speed, then 'blue and far red lines and back in turn backwards at speed), then a stickhandling slaloming cone dodging skate up the board with accelerating sweeping turn around and sprint back down the middle for a shot. Then it was repeat this, but 'embellish and elaborate' on the way ("be creative").
We ended with the 'house drill', with three players in corners of the attack zone, fourth player passes from the fourth corner to Player A up the board on the blue, skates up and around where A (was) before heading into the slot and playing Defence to the other three's attack. After the D has passed to A and while they are skating up, around and to the slot, A passes East to West along the blue line bo B and then skates to where B (was) as B passes to C down in the corner and heads in to the slot while C passes to A (who is or was skating along the blue from one side to the other). It's all very simple when you actually do it. The goal is for the attackers to get the puck into the net while goalie and D try and stop them. When the play ends (goal, or successful defence) D becomes A, A becomes B, B becomes C, C goes off and joins the queue, while the player at the front of the queue becomes the new D. We then did a couple runs with 2 players skating up into the D role, making it a 3 on 2.
We then played the final game, where there were three 'teams' divided by sweater colour. I was on the blue team composed of four C Graders by coincidence. It was then a three team battle at the same time with the whole of the rink, aim being to get a goal in the one goal. The only team that succeeded was us blues (against all those Div I and Premiere players!) when we combined on the one play where we actually gained control of the puck for more than an instant for me to pass it into Mal on the open net while all the senior players checked each other out of the equation. Goes to show!
So, after an hour we were all pleasantly worked out and sweaty and had soon changed and were on our ways home. But not before I confirmed that I'll play as a reserve for the Shufflers in the early game next Saturday, before my own Wheelers game at the end of the evening. Which will be quite a challenge after a week off, but should be fun if I make adequate pre game preparations.
Inline 36
We ended with the 'house drill', with three players in corners of the attack zone, fourth player passes from the fourth corner to Player A up the board on the blue, skates up and around where A (was) before heading into the slot and playing Defence to the other three's attack. After the D has passed to A and while they are skating up, around and to the slot, A passes East to West along the blue line bo B and then skates to where B (was) as B passes to C down in the corner and heads in to the slot while C passes to A (who is or was skating along the blue from one side to the other). It's all very simple when you actually do it. The goal is for the attackers to get the puck into the net while goalie and D try and stop them. When the play ends (goal, or successful defence) D becomes A, A becomes B, B becomes C, C goes off and joins the queue, while the player at the front of the queue becomes the new D. We then did a couple runs with 2 players skating up into the D role, making it a 3 on 2.
We then played the final game, where there were three 'teams' divided by sweater colour. I was on the blue team composed of four C Graders by coincidence. It was then a three team battle at the same time with the whole of the rink, aim being to get a goal in the one goal. The only team that succeeded was us blues (against all those Div I and Premiere players!) when we combined on the one play where we actually gained control of the puck for more than an instant for me to pass it into Mal on the open net while all the senior players checked each other out of the equation. Goes to show!
So, after an hour we were all pleasantly worked out and sweaty and had soon changed and were on our ways home. But not before I confirmed that I'll play as a reserve for the Shufflers in the early game next Saturday, before my own Wheelers game at the end of the evening. Which will be quite a challenge after a week off, but should be fun if I make adequate pre game preparations.
Inline 36
Tuesday, 2 June 2015
Vikings Training
Another 'digest' post, aiming at recording all skating events that occurred during my hiatus period.
Winter has descended on Adelaide, with days being short, cold and of late, wet. Which means little opportunity to go for an outside skate. So, I have been going to Vikings trainings on Wednesday evenings at Gawler to both learn new skills and keep my skating reflexes somewhat in tune. Of the first four sessions I have only had to miss the last (due a work commitment). At this stage it looks like I'll be able to get to tomorrow's session. Numbers have increased in the sessions I've attended, from about a dozen the first time to about thirty for the third. I've posted separately on the first session.
For the second, we didn't divide into two separate groups. Instead we started with some basic sprints to what on ice would be blue line, red line, blue line and red line and back, followed by two lap races (for which we did divide into three groups based on skating skill). We then moved into a double horseshoe exercise, with a variation after a while of the passing player skating in towards the goal while the breakout skater went wide, forcing the alignment of the players to change (ie from passing to and collecting from the 'out' side of the breakout to its 'in' side). I managed to slot a couple of my shots past Matt the Goalie. This was a pretty enjoyable drill during which I continued to have a go at a powerslide inline hockey stop - managing to even pull it off several times for the first time ever!
We concluded with a mobile point to point weaving/passing drill, with one wing passing to the opposite and then moving across to take the other wing's spot while that player passes and skates to the centre (now on the original wing of the first passer) who either shoots or makes a final pass to the original winger as they cut in to goal.
13 sleeps ago (!) I went to the third Vikings training session for the winter season. We again divided into two groups based on skill. They were about equal sizes. We did some short point to point passes between pairs of players, both players passing to and fro as they moved across the rink facing each other (ie one skating forward and the other facing backwards). Then a skating drill around cones, laid out as two 'squares' near corners connected by two cones in the slot (one deep and the other low). Then do it with a puck. Then relay the cones so that there are deking stretches as well as turning points.
Then we spread out the cones in a large 'circle' and put between one and three skaters in the middle. These 'defenders' were to disrupt the passing that was to occur between the remaining skaters as they remained stationary by their cones. The ultimate goal of the defenders was to capture the puck and get it out of the circle. The goal of the 'cone skaters' was to shoot it into the net once everyone had touched it. It got interesting with three pucks going around and three defenders, one had to keep all one's senses on high alert and use one's voice and brain to avoid confusion (eg all three pucks being passed simultaneously to the same player). I found this game tremendously fun.
For a final exercise we combined again with the 'advanced' group and played several games of 'red rover', with one goal and goalie in the middle. Each game started with one player in the middle (besides the goalie). This defender's goal was to get a puck from a skating player, and then get it in the goal. If they did, that skater joined them on defence when the survivors skated back on their return journey and repeated the exercise. The goal of the skating players was to carry their puck across the rink and past the defender to the safety of the opposite red goal line. If a defender took their puck from them, the skater would try and get it back, or at least prevent it being shot for goal. If they got the puck back, they continued on their way. If they didn't, they joined the defence. Eventually everyone would be in the middle. Always a fun game. I made it into the last handful of survivors both times, each time having retrieved my puck at least once from a successful defender before eventually succumbing on a later attempt to cross.
I am looking forward to tomorrow night.
Inline 34 & 35
Winter has descended on Adelaide, with days being short, cold and of late, wet. Which means little opportunity to go for an outside skate. So, I have been going to Vikings trainings on Wednesday evenings at Gawler to both learn new skills and keep my skating reflexes somewhat in tune. Of the first four sessions I have only had to miss the last (due a work commitment). At this stage it looks like I'll be able to get to tomorrow's session. Numbers have increased in the sessions I've attended, from about a dozen the first time to about thirty for the third. I've posted separately on the first session.
For the second, we didn't divide into two separate groups. Instead we started with some basic sprints to what on ice would be blue line, red line, blue line and red line and back, followed by two lap races (for which we did divide into three groups based on skating skill). We then moved into a double horseshoe exercise, with a variation after a while of the passing player skating in towards the goal while the breakout skater went wide, forcing the alignment of the players to change (ie from passing to and collecting from the 'out' side of the breakout to its 'in' side). I managed to slot a couple of my shots past Matt the Goalie. This was a pretty enjoyable drill during which I continued to have a go at a powerslide inline hockey stop - managing to even pull it off several times for the first time ever!
We concluded with a mobile point to point weaving/passing drill, with one wing passing to the opposite and then moving across to take the other wing's spot while that player passes and skates to the centre (now on the original wing of the first passer) who either shoots or makes a final pass to the original winger as they cut in to goal.
13 sleeps ago (!) I went to the third Vikings training session for the winter season. We again divided into two groups based on skill. They were about equal sizes. We did some short point to point passes between pairs of players, both players passing to and fro as they moved across the rink facing each other (ie one skating forward and the other facing backwards). Then a skating drill around cones, laid out as two 'squares' near corners connected by two cones in the slot (one deep and the other low). Then do it with a puck. Then relay the cones so that there are deking stretches as well as turning points.
Then we spread out the cones in a large 'circle' and put between one and three skaters in the middle. These 'defenders' were to disrupt the passing that was to occur between the remaining skaters as they remained stationary by their cones. The ultimate goal of the defenders was to capture the puck and get it out of the circle. The goal of the 'cone skaters' was to shoot it into the net once everyone had touched it. It got interesting with three pucks going around and three defenders, one had to keep all one's senses on high alert and use one's voice and brain to avoid confusion (eg all three pucks being passed simultaneously to the same player). I found this game tremendously fun.
For a final exercise we combined again with the 'advanced' group and played several games of 'red rover', with one goal and goalie in the middle. Each game started with one player in the middle (besides the goalie). This defender's goal was to get a puck from a skating player, and then get it in the goal. If they did, that skater joined them on defence when the survivors skated back on their return journey and repeated the exercise. The goal of the skating players was to carry their puck across the rink and past the defender to the safety of the opposite red goal line. If a defender took their puck from them, the skater would try and get it back, or at least prevent it being shot for goal. If they got the puck back, they continued on their way. If they didn't, they joined the defence. Eventually everyone would be in the middle. Always a fun game. I made it into the last handful of survivors both times, each time having retrieved my puck at least once from a successful defender before eventually succumbing on a later attempt to cross.
I am looking forward to tomorrow night.
Inline 34 & 35
Monday, 1 June 2015
Game Day - Wheelers (6) d Shufflers (2)
On Saturday we played the last game of the evening at the Gawler Rec Centre against the Shufflers. Our four 'old hands' were present, plus Mike in goals. The Shufflers fielded six skaters, including Mel and Jana from the Bumpers. We realised this would be somewhat of a challenge, resolved between ourselves before the game to rotate with short shifts. The fact we were only running out of legs in the last five minutes of the second half is some evidence that we managed what we had pretty well.
The first half was a fairly tight affair. Brenton copped a penalty for 'interference' in the first couple minutes. I didn't see the incident but gather he was nonplussed, as were at least one of his linemates. Because, from the following face off, Krystal single handedly charged into the forward zone and crashed a goal on her own. We held them out for the rest of their powerplay. Jana equalised with a goal three minutes later, only to have Krystal steal the lead back for us with seconds to go before half time.
Two and a half minutes into the second half and I scored what turned out to be the game winning goal from the joint assist of Merrilyn and Krystal. Krystal followed this up with two more single handed affairs and I scored our sixth goal with freakish style from behind the half way line. They scored a late consolation goal with a minute to go. We skated it out to be eventual winners 6-1.
I was moderately happy with my game. I think I won all of my face offs, generally tapping the puck behind and to my right, then protecting it with my body as I decided whether to skate or pass backwards. This is the second week in a row with this sort of record!
I had quite a few shots at goal. Two rang off the post, and a third was counted this way though I half think I saw it somehow go through and bounce out (of the top left corner) as I skated past at speed on my follow through. I don't recall much of my first goal, only that it came from a shot from a swiftly rolling puck in the low slot through traffic and the five hole. I was complimented for it later by a couple of the opposition.
For my second goal, I was actually congratulated on court by some of my opposition, it was such a freakish shot. I was lurking just on the defensive side of the half way line, about a third of the way in from the rightside boards. Merrilyn had control of the puck in the back right corner, under some pressure from Jana as the Shufflers pressed forward. Merrilyn saw me free, snapped out a pass that I saw coming as though in slow motion. As it drew near I thought, 'bugger it, have a go'. I was facing our end as I positioned myself so that the puck would pass me about three feet to my left. As it passed I performed a tight shooting turn, 'sling shotting' the puck off my stick as it passed me and redirecting it to hurtle towards their goal. It went straight through at shin height. The goalie didn't see it coming. It was the only long shot we had all night. I've only seen similar attempted maybe thrice in all my games and shinnies, and only seen it work once (on a NHL highlight reel from last year). I saluted Merrilyn as the whistle blew.
This game was marked by a fairly high level of ferocity in its puck battles, both on the boards and in front of the nets. It was not unusual to see sticks and boots still flailing after a player from either side hit the floor, sometimes more than one at once, with those who'd kept their feet wading in and adding to the chaos. It converted the goal fronts to dangerous places, at least twice for Mike and thrice that for their goalie. To their credit, both goalies kept their nerve and hunted the puck down amongst the swinging boots and sticks, sometimes as bodies fell upon them. It was tremendous fun!
At the end of the game it was heartfelt handshakes all round, and we disected the game between ourselves regardless of team.
Now we have a week off from competition, then I think it is continuous weekends into September.
GP 4 G 3 A 2 Pts 5 +2 2/2/0
Inline 33
The first half was a fairly tight affair. Brenton copped a penalty for 'interference' in the first couple minutes. I didn't see the incident but gather he was nonplussed, as were at least one of his linemates. Because, from the following face off, Krystal single handedly charged into the forward zone and crashed a goal on her own. We held them out for the rest of their powerplay. Jana equalised with a goal three minutes later, only to have Krystal steal the lead back for us with seconds to go before half time.
Two and a half minutes into the second half and I scored what turned out to be the game winning goal from the joint assist of Merrilyn and Krystal. Krystal followed this up with two more single handed affairs and I scored our sixth goal with freakish style from behind the half way line. They scored a late consolation goal with a minute to go. We skated it out to be eventual winners 6-1.
I was moderately happy with my game. I think I won all of my face offs, generally tapping the puck behind and to my right, then protecting it with my body as I decided whether to skate or pass backwards. This is the second week in a row with this sort of record!
I had quite a few shots at goal. Two rang off the post, and a third was counted this way though I half think I saw it somehow go through and bounce out (of the top left corner) as I skated past at speed on my follow through. I don't recall much of my first goal, only that it came from a shot from a swiftly rolling puck in the low slot through traffic and the five hole. I was complimented for it later by a couple of the opposition.
For my second goal, I was actually congratulated on court by some of my opposition, it was such a freakish shot. I was lurking just on the defensive side of the half way line, about a third of the way in from the rightside boards. Merrilyn had control of the puck in the back right corner, under some pressure from Jana as the Shufflers pressed forward. Merrilyn saw me free, snapped out a pass that I saw coming as though in slow motion. As it drew near I thought, 'bugger it, have a go'. I was facing our end as I positioned myself so that the puck would pass me about three feet to my left. As it passed I performed a tight shooting turn, 'sling shotting' the puck off my stick as it passed me and redirecting it to hurtle towards their goal. It went straight through at shin height. The goalie didn't see it coming. It was the only long shot we had all night. I've only seen similar attempted maybe thrice in all my games and shinnies, and only seen it work once (on a NHL highlight reel from last year). I saluted Merrilyn as the whistle blew.
This game was marked by a fairly high level of ferocity in its puck battles, both on the boards and in front of the nets. It was not unusual to see sticks and boots still flailing after a player from either side hit the floor, sometimes more than one at once, with those who'd kept their feet wading in and adding to the chaos. It converted the goal fronts to dangerous places, at least twice for Mike and thrice that for their goalie. To their credit, both goalies kept their nerve and hunted the puck down amongst the swinging boots and sticks, sometimes as bodies fell upon them. It was tremendous fun!
At the end of the game it was heartfelt handshakes all round, and we disected the game between ourselves regardless of team.
Now we have a week off from competition, then I think it is continuous weekends into September.
GP 4 G 3 A 2 Pts 5 +2 2/2/0
Inline 33
Saturday, 30 May 2015
Game Daze: Wheelers lose 3-4 (twice).
I've had a bit of a hiatus on this blog since that first round asthma attack. I have, however, kept up with my hockey commitments during the period. No particular reason for the hiatus, except for maybe a busy life. Made it to all games, two of three Viking training sessions and been to see the Pee Wee Penguins continue in their winning ways (will post separately on training and pee wee sessions). This post will bring us up to date with Wheelers news.
The Wheelers have rolled twice since our earlier victory over the Shufflers. On the first occasion, we played the Rockers. I got to the rink, looking forward to the game and in particular the chance to play against Greg (plays for the Sharks on the ice). When I arrived, he greeted me with the sad news that he'd been promoted to Div I for the following day and therefore wouldn't be playing this Div II game. He seemed genuinely disappointed. Jana, however, was filling in for him (she's another Shark, began 'learn to skate' classes the same day I did so we see each other as peers) after having played in the earlier Bumpers game (where she'd scored her first ever goal and was still buzzing).
We had our full roster of skaters initially, though Natasha had to leave before the game to get to another engagement after the whole proceedings were delayed by a fire drill. We had Krystal's brother Josh in his first ever game. He can skate okay and has the typical young man's hard shot, so once he gets a feel for the game he'll slot in nicely. Mike the Goalie was away so Matt filled in. Reminded me of old times. Besides Jana, the Rockers had Jai filling in for their regular goalie, and they were boosted with the addition of Mal to their lineup during the week. He and Jana joined Felicia, Ashley and Pauline to make a pretty gutsy set of players with some good skills.
I can't recall much of the game now, beyond a few impressionist moments. I scored an unassisted goal towards the end of the first half, tying the score 2-2. I came down the right boards at speed, cut across behind a retreating defender, swooped towards and past the crease on an angle, held my backhand shot until the absolute last moment and put it around behind Jai into the net. In the second half we took two penalties after Brenton had put one in. Neither was questioned by my usually questioning team mates so there was no controversy about them. They didn't score on the powerplays, but did put the final two goals in to take out the game. The GWG occurred in the last three minutes, Jana got behind our players as they pressed forward and no one could catch her as I watched from the bench. Most memorable impression is that Pauline is becoming a good 'par player', enjoyed her physical game and compete level. And Ashley is a skilled defender.
GP 2 G 1 A 1 +/-0 1/1/0
Last week we played the Bumpers in what promised to be another tight clash. Their team has had a few changes, Jana is on their roster, they've lost Mal and Matt, Matt the Goalie was filling in in net, Carol was playing with them as a reserve. They can all skate, and Craig provided a league leading shooter with which to capitalise. They are the team to beat this season and we knew we'd have a battle on our hands even though they only had five skaters.
We had a full foster of skaters, and Mike returned in the net. We juggled our lines a bit after they got off to a 4-0 lead by half time. We settled at the end with Me, Krystal and Natasha on a line and I think that worked pretty well. The score line would back this up as we'd scored two goals with a minute to go, when I put put a pass in from behind the line to Krystal in the slot (having waited for her to get space while protecting the puck from an aggressive defender) and she thumped it in. We'd been on the attack for the previous five minutes, so it was a shame that it took over half of the time remaining for the ref's to drop the puck again. We were on the attack when the siren sounded.
Good game all round, except that Craig tore a hamstring early in the piece (he'll be out for weeks, I'd imagine). He was writhing in pain for half a minute before the referees blew the whistle, we were on a 3 on 2 attack, we backed right off the pressure while waiting to hear the whistle, even starting to pass the puck to goalie to stop the play so that Craig could be dealt with. We should have took advantage of the situation and gone for goal perhaps? Hell, it's C Grade!
I was on for even goals, won all (?) of quite a few face offs, made some good breakouts on the rush, swept behind our net for the first time ever as a reset tactic. The game was very physical with a lot of tight coverage occurring (good to play against Jana with her ice background as defence). Also some tight passing on their part.
GP 2 G 1 A 1 +/-0 1/2/0
After three games, we've got four players on three points. Excellent!
Inline 31 & 32
The Wheelers have rolled twice since our earlier victory over the Shufflers. On the first occasion, we played the Rockers. I got to the rink, looking forward to the game and in particular the chance to play against Greg (plays for the Sharks on the ice). When I arrived, he greeted me with the sad news that he'd been promoted to Div I for the following day and therefore wouldn't be playing this Div II game. He seemed genuinely disappointed. Jana, however, was filling in for him (she's another Shark, began 'learn to skate' classes the same day I did so we see each other as peers) after having played in the earlier Bumpers game (where she'd scored her first ever goal and was still buzzing).
We had our full roster of skaters initially, though Natasha had to leave before the game to get to another engagement after the whole proceedings were delayed by a fire drill. We had Krystal's brother Josh in his first ever game. He can skate okay and has the typical young man's hard shot, so once he gets a feel for the game he'll slot in nicely. Mike the Goalie was away so Matt filled in. Reminded me of old times. Besides Jana, the Rockers had Jai filling in for their regular goalie, and they were boosted with the addition of Mal to their lineup during the week. He and Jana joined Felicia, Ashley and Pauline to make a pretty gutsy set of players with some good skills.
I can't recall much of the game now, beyond a few impressionist moments. I scored an unassisted goal towards the end of the first half, tying the score 2-2. I came down the right boards at speed, cut across behind a retreating defender, swooped towards and past the crease on an angle, held my backhand shot until the absolute last moment and put it around behind Jai into the net. In the second half we took two penalties after Brenton had put one in. Neither was questioned by my usually questioning team mates so there was no controversy about them. They didn't score on the powerplays, but did put the final two goals in to take out the game. The GWG occurred in the last three minutes, Jana got behind our players as they pressed forward and no one could catch her as I watched from the bench. Most memorable impression is that Pauline is becoming a good 'par player', enjoyed her physical game and compete level. And Ashley is a skilled defender.
GP 2 G 1 A 1 +/-0 1/1/0
Last week we played the Bumpers in what promised to be another tight clash. Their team has had a few changes, Jana is on their roster, they've lost Mal and Matt, Matt the Goalie was filling in in net, Carol was playing with them as a reserve. They can all skate, and Craig provided a league leading shooter with which to capitalise. They are the team to beat this season and we knew we'd have a battle on our hands even though they only had five skaters.
We had a full foster of skaters, and Mike returned in the net. We juggled our lines a bit after they got off to a 4-0 lead by half time. We settled at the end with Me, Krystal and Natasha on a line and I think that worked pretty well. The score line would back this up as we'd scored two goals with a minute to go, when I put put a pass in from behind the line to Krystal in the slot (having waited for her to get space while protecting the puck from an aggressive defender) and she thumped it in. We'd been on the attack for the previous five minutes, so it was a shame that it took over half of the time remaining for the ref's to drop the puck again. We were on the attack when the siren sounded.
Good game all round, except that Craig tore a hamstring early in the piece (he'll be out for weeks, I'd imagine). He was writhing in pain for half a minute before the referees blew the whistle, we were on a 3 on 2 attack, we backed right off the pressure while waiting to hear the whistle, even starting to pass the puck to goalie to stop the play so that Craig could be dealt with. We should have took advantage of the situation and gone for goal perhaps? Hell, it's C Grade!
I was on for even goals, won all (?) of quite a few face offs, made some good breakouts on the rush, swept behind our net for the first time ever as a reset tactic. The game was very physical with a lot of tight coverage occurring (good to play against Jana with her ice background as defence). Also some tight passing on their part.
GP 2 G 1 A 1 +/-0 1/2/0
After three games, we've got four players on three points. Excellent!
Inline 31 & 32
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.
Saturday, 16 May 2015
Exercise Induced Asthma Attack - Part One
As described previously, on Saturday night I had to abandon the first game of the season before it got to half time due to an exercise induced asthma attack. Quite a drama, resulting in me having a trip to Gawler Hospital in an ambulance and quite a few concerned people. As promised, here's a post on the experience.
If you've never had an asthma attack, it feels like you're being starved of oxygen no matter how deep and how hard you breathe. The purpose of breathing is to drive airborne oxygen into the tiny bronchiole passages in the lungs, where the blood whooshes by and absorbs the life giving element. The blood carries the oxygen to where it's needed, where it converts to energy and life. In an asthma attack, those tiny capilliaries in the lung go rigid and constrict and the oxygen uptake of the blood to reduce. Thus, you are slowly strangling even if the lungs are bellowing away. Quite scary. I'd hate to imagine how much so if one didn't know what was happening.
Which, luckily, I did, so when, in the fourth shift of my game, I felt my breath not functioning properly I started modifying my play. Initially this was me getting off earlier than I would normally. Then it was taking an extra 'transition' on the bench before heading back out (by which time my breathing hadn't returned to normal, which it normally would have well and truly). Then, in my fifth and final shift, I just stayed around the centre line, slowly skating east/west like I was patrolling a blue line on the ice, intercepting, passing, threatening. Quite effective, but my breathing was now beginning to struggle, so I got off.
Several minutes until half time, I thought I'd try and do as well I could on the bench until the siren, use that time to go and get my car keys and head out to my car where I had a asthma 'puffer'. These are amazing medicine, causing the air ways to open up within the lungs, providing almost instant relief. So, I sat panting on the bench.
My breathing kept getting more laboured, so I took off helmet and gloves and made it clear that I couldn't go back on. A minute later I thought that I'd better head off now, not wait for half time, and left the court.
If you've never had an asthma attack, it feels like you're being starved of oxygen no matter how deep and how hard you breathe. The purpose of breathing is to drive airborne oxygen into the tiny bronchiole passages in the lungs, where the blood whooshes by and absorbs the life giving element. The blood carries the oxygen to where it's needed, where it converts to energy and life. In an asthma attack, those tiny capilliaries in the lung go rigid and constrict and the oxygen uptake of the blood to reduce. Thus, you are slowly strangling even if the lungs are bellowing away. Quite scary. I'd hate to imagine how much so if one didn't know what was happening.
Which, luckily, I did, so when, in the fourth shift of my game, I felt my breath not functioning properly I started modifying my play. Initially this was me getting off earlier than I would normally. Then it was taking an extra 'transition' on the bench before heading back out (by which time my breathing hadn't returned to normal, which it normally would have well and truly). Then, in my fifth and final shift, I just stayed around the centre line, slowly skating east/west like I was patrolling a blue line on the ice, intercepting, passing, threatening. Quite effective, but my breathing was now beginning to struggle, so I got off.
Several minutes until half time, I thought I'd try and do as well I could on the bench until the siren, use that time to go and get my car keys and head out to my car where I had a asthma 'puffer'. These are amazing medicine, causing the air ways to open up within the lungs, providing almost instant relief. So, I sat panting on the bench.
My breathing kept getting more laboured, so I took off helmet and gloves and made it clear that I couldn't go back on. A minute later I thought that I'd better head off now, not wait for half time, and left the court.
Wednesday, 13 May 2015
Bears (3) d Adrenaline (1)
On Sunday afternoon Jack and me went to watch the Adrenaline play the second game of their weekend double header against the Sydney Bears. We'd won the night before 2-0 so this game was our chance to sweep the series against them this season. They were winless.
Jack and I went to similar seats to where we'd based ourselves last time in the temporary stand above the small ice, down the scoreboard side. No go, we couldn't see the end zone because the organisers hadn't fully pulled aside the opaque plastic curtain which acts as a screen against flying pucks and it was screening the view. We migrated up the other end, but condensation on the glass around the scoring box had the same effect on the far corner, screening a large segment of ice from our view. So we upped and moved to the regular stands during the first period, where we just merged into the throng about half way up, above the Sydney bench / blue line.
The game itself was entertaining to watch. Adelaide seemed to ouplay the Bears in the first period, reflected in the scoreline of 1-0 at the first break. Highlights for me were a couple great saves by Peter King, and the fact that though we generally outplayed them, they got two clear breakaways against us, and a third that was only defused by a desperate diving stickcheck from behind by the scrambling defender.
About half way through the Second Jack observed that the Adrenaline appeared to be running out of legs. They just weren't generally getting that first step, and not accelerating smoothly. Sure enough, the scoreline started to reflect this with the shot clock evening up and the Bears running out winners. Adelaide seemed to be doing all the right things, just not getting it in. Plenty of 'almosts' so nothing to be ashamed of. Favourite moments were some of the skating/stick work by our long haired winger, and a ruck on the defensive blue line when two opposing skaters swept in and leapt up to compete over a lobbed puck (from memory, we won the contest).
It was getting a bit feisty by the end of the game, with a couple almost-fights and a fair bit of chest thumping. Which Jack enjoyed so much that he has again started talking again about working himself up to playing ice hockey competitively.
Which goes to show, the spectacle of the game will generate its own future if it gets out there enough.
I've added a link in the side bar to the newly revamped Adelaide Adrenaline home page. Much better than it was previously.
Jack and I went to similar seats to where we'd based ourselves last time in the temporary stand above the small ice, down the scoreboard side. No go, we couldn't see the end zone because the organisers hadn't fully pulled aside the opaque plastic curtain which acts as a screen against flying pucks and it was screening the view. We migrated up the other end, but condensation on the glass around the scoring box had the same effect on the far corner, screening a large segment of ice from our view. So we upped and moved to the regular stands during the first period, where we just merged into the throng about half way up, above the Sydney bench / blue line.
The game itself was entertaining to watch. Adelaide seemed to ouplay the Bears in the first period, reflected in the scoreline of 1-0 at the first break. Highlights for me were a couple great saves by Peter King, and the fact that though we generally outplayed them, they got two clear breakaways against us, and a third that was only defused by a desperate diving stickcheck from behind by the scrambling defender.
About half way through the Second Jack observed that the Adrenaline appeared to be running out of legs. They just weren't generally getting that first step, and not accelerating smoothly. Sure enough, the scoreline started to reflect this with the shot clock evening up and the Bears running out winners. Adelaide seemed to be doing all the right things, just not getting it in. Plenty of 'almosts' so nothing to be ashamed of. Favourite moments were some of the skating/stick work by our long haired winger, and a ruck on the defensive blue line when two opposing skaters swept in and leapt up to compete over a lobbed puck (from memory, we won the contest).
It was getting a bit feisty by the end of the game, with a couple almost-fights and a fair bit of chest thumping. Which Jack enjoyed so much that he has again started talking again about working himself up to playing ice hockey competitively.
Which goes to show, the spectacle of the game will generate its own future if it gets out there enough.
I've added a link in the side bar to the newly revamped Adelaide Adrenaline home page. Much better than it was previously.
Monday, 11 May 2015
Game Day - Wheelers (6) d Shufflers (1)
The Vikings winter season opened on Saturday night. We played in the first Div II game against the Shufflers. They had six skaters of whom five are on their roster. We had five skaters (to start with) of whom only me, Merrilyn and Brenton were on the roster. We also had Craig (Bumpers) and Rachael (U14's) playing with us. In goal, we had our new goalie, Mike. The Shufflers had Jye in net.
I was only active for the first fifteen minutes during which time I put in maybe five shifts. It was on the fourth shift that I picked up my solitary point for the evening, collecting the puck behind their goal line and angling a shot on net as I crossed the red line, which deflected off of Jye's pad into the slot for Craig to hammer it home for the only goal of the half.
My last shift was highly abbreviated as by that time my Exercise Induced Asthma Attack was grabbing a hold of me, to the extent that I just hovered around the centre line, limiting myself to rolling East West and using my head to best position myself to either direct or deflect passes. It was a productive minute resulting in at least one good chance at goal before I had to get off due lack of breath.
I hovered on our bench, making it clear that I was not able to come back on. I was trying to hold out to half time, which I planned to use to get my keys and get to my car to get the asthma medication I keep there for just such an emergency. However, with only a couple minutes to go, I realised that things were worse than I'd thought and so left the game to sort myself out.
What follows is a summary of the remainder of the game, of which I was only vaguely aware while I sat on the sidelines receiving treatment. More of that in a future post...
The Shufflers scored on the first shift after half time, but from there it was all Wheelers. Craig played a part in every goal, putting in another three himself and getting a helper point on the two remaining goals. Brenton and Merrilyn each scored both a goal and an assist. It was a comprehensive win. I suspect it would have been points to us even if Craig hadn't played (assuming I had remained healthy) but we'll never know and he certainly made a difference.
In my five shifts I participated in about five face offs, or which I won four. My favourite play involved a swoop in from the boards across the goal front, somehow capturing a puck and doing a spin o rama to pass it to an open Brenton (?) in the slot. It didn't end up in a score but drew a few comments at the time. Crazy move, for me!
Mike our goalie will be a real asset to our team. He is very focused and has a good loud voice to lash us into activity. I don't mind the play being directed as long as there's a hockey brain behind the voice. I think we get both with Mike.
GP 1 G 1 A 1 +1 1/0/0
Inline 30
I was only active for the first fifteen minutes during which time I put in maybe five shifts. It was on the fourth shift that I picked up my solitary point for the evening, collecting the puck behind their goal line and angling a shot on net as I crossed the red line, which deflected off of Jye's pad into the slot for Craig to hammer it home for the only goal of the half.
My last shift was highly abbreviated as by that time my Exercise Induced Asthma Attack was grabbing a hold of me, to the extent that I just hovered around the centre line, limiting myself to rolling East West and using my head to best position myself to either direct or deflect passes. It was a productive minute resulting in at least one good chance at goal before I had to get off due lack of breath.
I hovered on our bench, making it clear that I was not able to come back on. I was trying to hold out to half time, which I planned to use to get my keys and get to my car to get the asthma medication I keep there for just such an emergency. However, with only a couple minutes to go, I realised that things were worse than I'd thought and so left the game to sort myself out.
What follows is a summary of the remainder of the game, of which I was only vaguely aware while I sat on the sidelines receiving treatment. More of that in a future post...
The Shufflers scored on the first shift after half time, but from there it was all Wheelers. Craig played a part in every goal, putting in another three himself and getting a helper point on the two remaining goals. Brenton and Merrilyn each scored both a goal and an assist. It was a comprehensive win. I suspect it would have been points to us even if Craig hadn't played (assuming I had remained healthy) but we'll never know and he certainly made a difference.
In my five shifts I participated in about five face offs, or which I won four. My favourite play involved a swoop in from the boards across the goal front, somehow capturing a puck and doing a spin o rama to pass it to an open Brenton (?) in the slot. It didn't end up in a score but drew a few comments at the time. Crazy move, for me!
Mike our goalie will be a real asset to our team. He is very focused and has a good loud voice to lash us into activity. I don't mind the play being directed as long as there's a hockey brain behind the voice. I think we get both with Mike.
GP 1 G 1 A 1 +1 1/0/0
Inline 30
Thursday, 7 May 2015
Wheelers, Wheels and Vikings Training
The Vikings winter season starts this weekend, first training was last night. I am again on the Wheelers in Div II. The Pfeiffers and Krystal return to the fray, Rick has been put into Div I. We get a new skater, Krystal's brother, and a new goalie (unknown). The Bumpers and Rockers each have six skaters on their roster, the Shufflers have five at the moment. I know 90% of the skaters in the division (including Greg and Jana who start this season, from ice skating and then ice hockey). The teams look pretty even, with no real 'super stars' and few if any that can't skate. It's really cool how the division has improved in its overall play over the past year.
I went to training last night. I was really looking forward to it, badly missing hockey for the past six weeks. When I got there I found out that I wasn't the only one who felt this way. It was really nice just to meet up with my fellow players and get skating.
I'd bought some new wheels for the occasion. Seeing as I won't get much if any chance to skate in the neighborhood for a while now, I got a full set of indoor wheels. They should give me a better grip on the indoor surface and not wear out too quick. That is, unless and until I learn to do a power slide! For the record, I have two Mission 76mm 74a and two 80mm Rink Rat 74a wheels on each skate. I've popped my old Bauer bearings into the worn wheels and put them aside so I can do a quick change into outdoor wheels if the opportunity presents.
For training, the Vikings have shifted to a combined Div I and II session, the group dividing into 'experienced' and 'beginner'. Which is basically Div I and Div II, because it wouldn't be right to call those with whom I skated 'beginners', everyone could do the basic skills required to participate in the session.
Concentrated mainly on passing, passing while moving, puck carrying, puck protection and stick checking, finishing with 2 on 1 battles. Good session, not too exhausting. Being able to travel direct from work, rather than via home to pick up a car and rush back, was sooooooo much more relaxing also!
Inline 29
For the record, I went shooting for a hundred shots down the school a few weeks ago. I'll put up the stats when I do my next major outdoor skate, but I should make the point of counting it here.
I went to training last night. I was really looking forward to it, badly missing hockey for the past six weeks. When I got there I found out that I wasn't the only one who felt this way. It was really nice just to meet up with my fellow players and get skating.
I'd bought some new wheels for the occasion. Seeing as I won't get much if any chance to skate in the neighborhood for a while now, I got a full set of indoor wheels. They should give me a better grip on the indoor surface and not wear out too quick. That is, unless and until I learn to do a power slide! For the record, I have two Mission 76mm 74a and two 80mm Rink Rat 74a wheels on each skate. I've popped my old Bauer bearings into the worn wheels and put them aside so I can do a quick change into outdoor wheels if the opportunity presents.
For training, the Vikings have shifted to a combined Div I and II session, the group dividing into 'experienced' and 'beginner'. Which is basically Div I and Div II, because it wouldn't be right to call those with whom I skated 'beginners', everyone could do the basic skills required to participate in the session.
Concentrated mainly on passing, passing while moving, puck carrying, puck protection and stick checking, finishing with 2 on 1 battles. Good session, not too exhausting. Being able to travel direct from work, rather than via home to pick up a car and rush back, was sooooooo much more relaxing also!
Inline 29
For the record, I went shooting for a hundred shots down the school a few weeks ago. I'll put up the stats when I do my next major outdoor skate, but I should make the point of counting it here.
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