First tournament- any tips?

[digitalpunk30 1]

This weekend I will be playing in my first tournament. Actually, it will be the first "real game" for me also- up to now, I have done organized scrimmages weekly in the spring, a novice hockey camp, private lessons, stick and puck/ pick up, and I currently play in a mixed-skill level summer league. All of the game experience I have has been ridiculously fun and I have learned a ton from everyone, but has been against mainly people who will play/ have played on various levels of travel team with the organization.

Anyway, more to the point- I was just wondering what tips any of you might have for playing multiple games over the weekend. I was thinking a fan might be nice to bring, to attempt to at least dry equipment overnight at the hotel?

I love this forum and learn a lot here. I thought you guys might have some experience I could learn from. :)

[fatwabbit 93]

Have lots of fun, dont stress about winning or losing. The experience is key.

I've not done 'travel' tournaments before, but I try to utilise the balcony to help air out the gear. If you are bunking in with a friend in a service apartment type setting, then possibly have the fan going to help circulate some of the air.

Newspaper in gloves helps for me to keep them as dry as possible.

[Zjack38 46]

When I stay in hotels for hockey, which is like every other weekend, I always just hang up my stuff in the closet, and usually it's dry by morning :). Also don't stay up to late each night your in the hotel, especially if you have an early morning game. Another thing I always do before a game is shower, because it wakes me up super fast. The last thing is eat healthy, no fast food, no ribs, you should get something healthy from subway, or one of my favorites a grilled chicken sandwich.

[black hills tj 5]

Have fun! Enjoy the experience. You'll play better if you are having a good time.

[chippa13 1844]

Depending on how close your games are, you could dry your gear on a nice patch of grass outside the rink. The main concern with multiple games so close is hydration and energy. Be sure to get plenty of fluids and quality carbs into you. You'll be glad you did come Sunday.

[hunterphfr 12]

Hydrate & snack.

We usually just drape our gear all over the balcony, hood of the truck/jeep/car or the window shaker air unit and in the general vicinity(gets air movement). Gear in a hotel is going to stink, price you have to pay.

[yrhmblnr8r 69]

Spreading out gear over the shower rod with the bathroom fan on works too if you don't have a balcony.

[Tailboard Jockey 25]

Hydration and stretching.

[digitalpunk30 1]

Thanks everyone! I will be using this advice for sure. I am sure it will be a fun weekend, and I am excited to play :)

[hunt3rsean 44]

Have to agree with everyone else.

- Get your gear to be as dry as much as you can. Putting on dry gear just feels good. Nothing worse than playing your 2nd or 3rd game in a day and putting on wet/cold gear.

- Hydrate. Consistently be drinking water or a sports drink. Try to stay away from soda or energy drinks.

- Snack between games when you can. Bananas. Apples. Trail mix.

- While tempting....stay away from pizza and fast food.

- Shower whenever possible if playing multiple games in a day. Can't stress how re-energizing a shower can be between games. A lot of the times I'll shower before my adult league games even though I took one that morning.

[digitalpunk30 1]

Thanks for all the advice! I did pretty well about eating and drinking good (or at least not horrible) things all weekend and I tried to get plenty of rest. I got sick last night and so I didn't get much sleep, but I drank some pepto bismol before our game this morning and I made it through the game. I even played pretty decently :)

The fan in the hotel room worked out well, especially since there were three of us in the room and one was our goalie. I tried to air my gear out between games yesterday on the grass, but it was evening and there wasn't any wind, so it didn't help a whole lot. Putting on wet gear is not the most awesome feeling but I forgot about it as soon as we got on the ice.

Anyway, just wanted to say thanks for all the ideas! I had a great time and we even ended up winning the championship in our division :)

[black hills tj 5]

Glad to hear you had fun, and congrats! The last tournament I played in, we played 1 game friday night, 2 games saturday, and 2 games back to back Sunday to win our division, as well. I don't know how I drug my ass up off the bunch during game 5. Even game 4 kicked my butt.