All The Good Things In The Game...

[Grinder 2]

We've all had moments on the boards to bitch about the things in hockey that piss us off. But, it's great night when you get that occasion where every single great feeling about hockey comes together at one time:

Winning the championship game against the first place team in your inline ball hockey league.

Beating a team that's played hack and slash all year, has rubbed everyone's nose in every goal and every victory for the whole season, and has been bragging about their upcoming "threepeat" for weeks.

Having your best night on the forecheck of the whole season, and creating havoc in the other team's breakout for the whole night.

Redirecting a slap pass in the slot for a goal.

Putting constant pressure on a skilled but less fit team for a full 60 minutes and watching them wilt when they run out of gas - reducing their top player to taking slappers from center.

Watching the guy across from you at the faceoff and knowing he doesn’t have what it takes to outwork you tonight.

Being a low scoring grinder, but at the league wrap up party, getting props from other teams for having a huge game, and being a standout that night.

Smiling at your little boy and little girl as they bang on the plexiglass and blow kisses at their big sweaty dad.

Chasing down a D-man who has a blue line to center headstart, and beating him to the loose ball in the corner.

Training hard to stay fit, and out-hustling guys ten and twenty years younger, weeks away from turning 43.

After a long season, standing in the bench, holding your breath for the final seconds as the clock runs down, with that growing smile and feeling of pure elation as you spill over the boards throwing your gear in the air to mob each other, ‘cause you’re a bunch of fun loving idiots that just won their league’s title.

[Chadd 916]

and that's why we have a couple topics relating to the positives.