penalty box hero

For me it was always, eat healthy and balanced throughout the day (with lots of carbs) and a bowl of chicken noodle soup (more carbs) about 2-3 hours before game time. I still had my "on" and "off" nights, but with 2-3 hours of cardio-centric exercise per week and plenty of rest on game day, I was almost always ready to keep playing after the game was over, despite the fact that I used to smoke 1-2 packs a day. That was almost 10 years ago... now I'm pushing 40 and just get whatever food and rest my schedule allows. 5 years away from the game and just getting back into it this summer, my endurance is fine (exercising less, but quit smoking) - but I'm not as strong on the puck, or as quick with my hands or feet as I used to be...