"No One Puts Baby In the Corner"

Arnica gel...have you tried it out yet? Great for bruises and sore muscles and the best part - it doesn't smell!! I had to dig deep in my medicine cabinet to find my tube that I haven't used in a long time. But, I better keep it within easy reach b/c I'm back playing co-ed hockey. Unfortunately, it's not the fun and friendly beer league I played in over the summer :-( I just signed up with the IceOTopes and we play in the GSHL (Greater Seattle Hockey League). So far, we're 2-1. I missed the first game, but played in the second game where we won 4-3. Usually, because of the speed and the physical aspect of playing with men, I play up (left or right-wing). However, for the third game, I decided to give defense a shot which is actually my preferred position in the women's league.

When I play with men, I have to play defense completely different. Especially with a chippy team like the one we just played. This team played lazy-ass hockey. NOTHING annoys me more on the ice than cherry-pickers. My first thought is "you lazy SOB...I have to pay for your lack of off-ice conditioning because you can't manage to skate from one end of the ice to the other and the only way you have a chance at making a play is to only play one-half of the friggin' ice." So, I have to hang way back and can't play the blue line like I want to and contribute offensively (however, I did pinch a few times and managed a few shots on goal...thanks, Andrew, for covering my ass). That's ok, it's an opportunity for me to anticipate the passes and bring it back the other way.

The other thing I have to do is to be more physical (even though it is a non-check league) and be ready to take a hit. I learned pretty quickly when I got checked in the back and went flying into the boards in the first period. At first, I played the 'girl' card and wondered "wtf is that guy thinking checking me like that?" But, then I would've been pissed off more had he backed off completely b/c I am a girl (though, he didn't have to put all of his 190+ lbs. into it). In any case, I was pissed - after I sent off a few retaliatory chips and hacks to let him know that I wasn't backing down, I skated back to the bench, cooled off, and then thought about my strategy. Being on defense, I can get away with just a little bit more contact (hehe) and even more so as a woman (hehehehe). I had great fun in front of the net messing with the guys - pushing, shoving, placing my stick on the side of their edge so they lose their balance. It's all about leverage, digging my edges in and keeping my knees bent and a lot of core work to maintain my center of gravity and balance. Timing too....that little shove/push, lift of the stick at the right time would be just enough to cause them fits and keep them from getting a shot off. That was *crazy-fun*! I may not see too much end-to-end action in the co-ed league but I can certainly be a total pain-in-the-ass (all 5'4" of me, LOL) to anyone who dares to camp in front of the net and my goalie. We ended up losing 5-1, though. Our goalie, Paul, kept us in the game as we were easily outshot 2-1. The good news is that we won't be playing this team again because the league is still sorting teams out into the appropriate division and they'll probably get placed one level up. Thank goodness because I my legs and arms can't take an entire season of bruising from the hacking and slashing (nice non-call, ref).

My women's league (SWHC), on the other hand, is kicking ass! We Want Fries (yes, that is our team name) is now 2-0. Our team gel'ed immediately and we play our positions like we've been playing together for many seasons. After our last win, I thought I saw Coach Murray wipe a tear from his eye (hahahaha). Tears of joy? Or, was he trying his best to stifle a gut-busting laugh? Maybe he just has overactive tear ducts. I've got a couple of goals under my belt and no time in the sin-bin...though, I thought for sure I was going to get thrown in at our last game and so did everyone else on the other team and the crowd (the handful that showed up anyway). I received a lot of good fun heckling from everyone but got the last laugh when the other person got thrown in instead. Woot!

So, the two sides of ice hockey: the women's league for refining my skills and the camaraderie, and; the co-ed league where I can go all out when it comes to aggressive, competitive play.