Back in Action!...

[Slapshot011]

For tonight at least. After a long layoff due to a grade 2 MCL I get my first start THIS YEAR! Of course, once I figured out that the knee was good to go, the season ended and all the pick ups and subs withered away.

Unfortunately it's not in the pick up with all my friends. Its with a team I've never met about 45 minutes away from my house. Still I'm psyched and can't wait to get a couple real time drops so I can move on from this stupid injury. Somehow carpet flys just aren't the same.

An official game on an NHL size sheet :) in Walpole MA. Should be fun. I've only played on smaller ice in the cookie cutter Mass state built rinks. The person I've been in contact with seems to be fairly confident in his team to not worry too much about my skill level so hopefully I can't wreck their 3.00 GA in one night.

[goalie33]

welcome back,I to came back from a simmular injury 4 years ago,you will do fine, as soon as the puck drops and you make that first save you will be pumped even more..

[Slapshot011]

Thanks 33.

Well, here's the wrap up (sorry about the novel). YIKES! Talk about having to shake the cobwebs loose. Brand new edges on my skates + had been skating out lately and I forgot about that transition back to goalie skates from player skates. Almost fell over in warm ups :eek:

Now on to the game. When I got to the rink I found out the game had been switched to the olympic rink not the NHL sized but it was still bigger than I'm used to. Found the team and locker room and they were all pretty cool. Didn't seem to aggro so I didn't imagine any real problems if I f'd up too badly.

I didn't give up a goal on the first few shots so that's always a plus. They probably scored about 5+ minutes in. Cool... now I don't have to worry about the shutout lol. Gave up 2 in the first. One I feel I should have had. Pulled off the post a little to soon on a guy circling a little wide from behind the net he shifted and shot behind me.

On to the 2nd. Started to get my feet back a little but faced a decent amount of shots... result 2 more goals. I knew that period seemed a little one sided but didn't realize how much until one of my teammates mentioned that they didn't even get a shot on net the whole 2nd. Again, one I'd like to have back. Again from behind, my right to left. Actually covered post to post pretty well and I went to a vert pad against the post, half butterfly with my right leg to set up for a pass into the low slot. Player kept it and shelved it top corner past my glove. Thought I had it covered but probably needed to bring the glove forward to be sure.

3rd. Finally started to feel automatic (at least close to) again. I felt better and it may have shown since my team also started skating MUCH better keeping some pressure in the offensive zone and balancing the game out. Good skaters all around and made some great plays in front of me all night though. Gave up only one in this period. A solid snap from about 10-15 ft wide open. I came out aggressively and he ripped it and it kind of froze me. I was trying to not go down too soon and it was too late. low stick side.

Final score 5-1. They were actually apologetic to me for hanging me out there a lot and did say they thought I made some good saves and said they'd call me back if they need me. (could just be being polite but I'll take their word for it :) ) I made some (what I consider) decent saves on odd man rushes and one timers. Caught one right off the cage/low forehead in the 3rd... I love my Eddy CK! Probably my best aggressive/angle save. Funky rebound control all around though. Kinda ugly.

The best part is I'm pretty much pain free. I think the MCL has to adjust to being used as much again and the flexibility in both my knees has to continue to improve but besides feeling a little weak and out of shape this morning I feel great. Now all I have to do is wait for the next one and hope I don't flop around as much.