After a spirited win against the Cyclones in one of the more intense scrimmages I have seen, the Flames had to play a tough Rochester team early the following morning.
For some details on the game, you would need to know this, Flames score, Rochester scores, Flames score, Rochester scores, Flames score, Rochester scores, final, 3-3. In between, there were penalties, injuries, stoppages, and a lot of shots on goal.
Perhaps because I had only been to one Flames hockey game since before Veteran’s Day (thank you) prior to this weekend, I took a whole bunch of pictures of the game vs. Rochester. I don’t know if any of them are any good, but I am warning you all that I am going to include a whole bunch of them below.
I hope you enjoy the pictures that literally capture just a fraction of a second of action. I certainly enjoy watching the kids play hockey. Honestly, I like watching our kids and all of the kids on other teams. Kids playing the sports that they love has always been inspirational to me. It should be pure, fun, and include far less input from parents. Being a parent of six kids who have played all kinds of sports over the years, I include myself in the previous statement. I played every sport imaginable growing up. Actually, I probably did play some sports that I imagined along the way as well. As much as my parents supported my pursuits, it was never about them, and the true joy I found in playing was solely mine, probably because they didn’t interfere at all. I was, and still am, very blessed in that way.
Anyways, check out the pictures, and click on the ones you like. Zoom in. Look at details and realize, those are our 10-year old kids making these action scenes come to life. Pretty cool. Enjoy!
Lots of tremendous history. Families have gathered and still do. Players continue to wear the colors proudly. Not a bad place to be.
First shift of the game, Teddy flutters a shot on net… (yes, he’s been working on his ‘flutter puck’)
…then he collects the rebound and escorts the puck into the net for a Flames goal.
This little story starts with a reminder that moving feet are more effective than reaching sticks. The Rochester player breaks through like an elite running back through a gap.
Once in the open, plans are made and strategies conceived.
Alright, that’s it, I am picking my spot and letting the puck fly.
All at once, we have liftoff, and a landing at the same time.
The puck sails just outside the post
Travis looks to the corner yelling, “Did you see how close that was?!?!?”
Ice is slippery and like a scene from a movie comedy, Colby continues his seemingly endless slide from half a mile away.
Fortunately, the shot missed the net. Unfortunately, Colby did not.
If you want to take a knee at a sporting event I recommend this method, or in prayer.
Colby was okay and left the net, Travis was back on his feet too, after a few encouraging words from coach (Dad). Everyone exhaled and cheered the players up on their feet again.
Both teams had chances to score, and lots of them.
This shot gets through to the crease…
…but Travis somehow gets his skate on the puck and kicks it wide.
Moments later Travis made another save and I yelled down from the nosebleed seats, “Hey, Travis show me the puck”. He did.
This shot flies over Travis’ head. Meanwhile Colby shows us the latest installment of the commercials promoting his off-season business of running several water parks featuring water slides.
I apologize, because just when you thought this might be coming to an end, I have so many more pictures! Haha!
Here we see the “Russian Bear” draw two unsuspecting players in to his lair.
See how the great bear lunges forward at just the right moment, not to harm, but rather, to disrupt the intrusion into his territory.
Later, we see the “Russian Bear” go on the offensive to wreak havoc where he may.
Notice how the bear’s tremendous ferocity captures the attention of so many.
With the flag as my witness, this puck was fouled off at the plate.
While Coach Nick delivers words of wisdom and encouragement, coach Scott times the presentation for a series of short inspirational videos forthcoming.
Rochester gets another breakaway chance and puts a point blank shot on net.
Travis uses his classic goalie form to make a right pad save.
On this fine scoring chance Rochester gets a free shot on goal.
Travis slides over and calmly makes the save for the Flames.
Here we see a save of another kind, one from the leg of the Might Fin. Above the knee where the leg padding is pretty thin.
That blue paint in front of the net sees all kinds of action.
Caleb provides the first line of defense and makes a stick check.
Momentum was with the offensive player, getting to the second line of defense. Colby blocked this shot but it hurt. He did bounce back though.
Teddy redirects a shot from Jax but the goaltender makes an amazing save on the play.
Caleb fires, but it does look like there may have been some additional space to create in.
Caleb shows us his follow through on a shot attempt against Rochester.
Jacob gets this puck just past the outstretched glove of the goaltender for a Flames power play goal.
Finley jumps into the offensive action with a shot on goal.
Cam gets a great look after a centering pass, but the goalie made the save.
Cam gets his own rebound but cannot get the puck past the defensive help. Incredible sequence.
From an old Russian proverb, “…there’s a bear out there, moving left, moving right…”
“…wisdom is knowing when to stand and when to take flight…”
Here Soucy is robbed by a very rare, ‘underside of the blocker’ save.
The entire Rochester team is on defense in a very small area. Look closely, somewhere in there Cam is getting leveled.
Hey kids! Look a bear trap! They fall for it every time.
Tie game. Just seconds left on the clock. Breakaway chance. No problem. Travis makes the save to keep the game knotted at three.
Two games with Rochester, two ties, 3-3 each time. Line up and salute your worthy opponent.
It’s a little known hockey truism, and it doesn’t just pertain to the crease. Even in the lot, give the goalie (and his vehicle) a wide berth.
