Everything coming together...

[Jarick 5]

Kind of posted in another thread, but hell I'll make my own.

I've been playing since November of last year. Actually played for several years as a kid, but I was pretty horrible...could barely skate, couldn't stop, terrible with the puck. Played one year of contact hockey and had I think an empty net goal over the entire time.

So I'm going at it pretty hard, playing open hockey twice a week, working on my skating and shooting outdoors, practicing with a Smart Hockey ball inside, basically making up for not playing for the last 10 years.

Last week I "figured out" how to really get some speed going, bringing my legs back to center as quickly as possible (rather than trying to push really hard). Spent a lot of time working on turning fast as well and getting more comfortable on my edges rather than just going forward.

So last night, I'm kind of dangling a bit, playing LW and covering the point man. They miss a pass and it slides past him a bit. I start hustling as fast and hard as I can, pick up the puck off the boards, and get away from the defender on my ass. Come down towards the left side of the goal (I'm a lefty) and somehow pull a Jussi Jokinen faking a shot then pulling it around for a backhand goal. First real goal I've had that didn't involve a garbage rebound.

I don't know, I'm just pretty excited. I've just about been able to catch up with the former high school and rec players in a really short time. Just one of those "when you put your mind to it" things...and yeah I wish I would have tried this hard when I was little now, but what can you do.

[Methane 0]

Good job! Glad to hear you are getting better.

[Oberon 0]

Congrats Jarick, do you play open hockey at Richfield?

[Jarick 5]

Congrats Jarick, do you play open hockey at Richfield?

No, too early in the day for me! Always at noon when I'm working.

I usually play Fridays in Minnetonka or Saturdays in Eagan. Also play some games with a group of guys at Saint Thomas.

[hockeysc23 0]

Congrats. In HS I had the same problem. I played roller and thought that transition would be easy ... and boy was I wrong. It took me a long time to work at it and finally am starting to get my legs back and play and understand the game better.

Congrats and keep up the good work!