Written by All tied up it began, and so it ended. After an opening weekend that resulted in a pair of losses, both being good games, time passed and led to the second weekend of hockey. There was only one game this weekend, a home game against the Monarchs. The Monarchs hail from Tri-Town Arena which is just about 6 miles (as the crow flies) north of the Flames home rink at West Side Arena. These teams are generally pretty familiar with one another.
Youth hockey programs compete amongst themselves to bring in good players each season, and to make money; I mean, to develop players for the furtherance of their hockey careers. With the Monarchs and Flames being so close geographically, a lot of these kids play in both organizations at some point in their careers.
What does all this mean? I don’t know exactly. But, generally there are some pretty competitive games. Maybe, once in awhile emotions escape their container, and it strengthens a healthy rivalry. Late on Sunday afternoon, the Monarchs visited the Flames for a 45-minute game that took 75 minutes of actual time to complete. Then, after all of that time, the game ended in a 6-6 tie. All tied up.
It wasn’t the prettiest game I suppose. But it was our kids out there playing for the win. Both teams played hard and kept pursuing the victory right to the end. As the clock wound down, and time ran out, it was still possible that either one of these teams could have scored. Every shift literally could have ended in a goal being scored. Offense was on display from all angles, in every direction.
The teams were tied, 1-1 after one period, with the Flames killing three different penalties. The second period featured six goals. The Flames nabbed four of the tallies and took a 5-3 lead into the final period, and started the third on the power play. The Monarchs did not go away, nor did they shrink from the task ahead of them. The Flames got another power play goal later in the period to take a 6-4 lead, but the Monarchs scored the last two goals of the game to secure a 6-6 tie.
I noticed a few things during the game. One, I would encourage all hockey players, especially the 2010 Flames players, to hit the ice at full speed for every single shift. There were times where the pace set from the open door on the bench to the area needing their patrol was just too relaxed. Lead by example, and effort is simply a choice. Two, if the Flames had as much net presence in front of their own net (defensively) as they did on the offensive end, they may have won 6-5, or even 6-2. The offense swarmed the offensive net and created at least a dozen additional shots on goal by simply being there. Conversely, I would like to think that a few of the Monarchs goals may not have been scored if there were a Flame player between the slot and their net minder. But then one never knows for sure.
Kids made mistakes on both sides, but as is usually the case, kids make more plays than they don’t. Coaches never score goals. Parents don’t make saves. I hope each of the kids leaving the rink today had a soft place to land. Sometimes the difference in the what we saw versus the result we wish to see is either an expectation in our mind or an opportunity to teach or to let our player learn from those qualified to teach.
Remember when we, as parents, reached in and down into our child’s crib, and held dearly our flesh and blood, in order to lift up, and to nurture with every ounce of love that our being possessed? Well, that need and opportunity still exists. God gave us the ability to lift up, in so many more ways than one. I looked into this, and apparently there is no limit to whom, or how many that we can lift up. That’s pretty cool. Once a long time ago, someone, too lifted us up. There is no expiration on the time we can take to pay back or to pay forward with that simple mindset and resulting action.
As is the custom around here. The players shake hands after the battle of competition. And of course, we all must wait until the goaltenders get to the front of the line to formally begin the post-game salutations. © 1inawesomewonder 2022.
On Sunday afternoon the 2010 Flames played host to the Monarchs before a small crowd at West Side Arena. I am not sure how I would categorize this game. Was it a well-played game with a ton of offense? Probably not. Was it a poorly played game with no defense or goaltending? Nope, not really.
Actually the goaltending kept the game from being a 14-13 final with a missed 2-point conversion. The offense was obviously present, as in twelve goals combined. So, I guess I would say that when it came to ‘bounces’, the ‘bounces’ clearly went the way of the offensive players. For example, a shot off of the goalie’s mask bounced under the crossbar and into the net. Just like the shot that rattled around on the goaltenders armor and went into the goal for a score. Rebounds often came off of the pads and onto the stick of an offensive player’s stick for a tremendous chance to score. Either way, the game ended, all tied up. 6-6.
Score by period: Sunday, September 18, 2022.
Monarchs 01 – 02 – 03 = 06
Flames 01 – 04 – 01 = 06
As always with these galleries, please feel free to click on the pictures, read the captions, and zoom in and have a look around. Also, please enjoy! This is for the kids. I will get to everyone on the roster as weekends continue. Thank you for your time.
Flames vs. Monarchs – 09-18-2022
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- This shot was shared with us by the Powers vested in this player.
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- Soucy crosses the red line at center ice carrying the puck with nothing more than the heel of his stick. But you can all see that. © 1inawesomewonder 2022.
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- Travis looks around the traffic in front to see what kind of shot is being fired his way. He made the save. © 1inawesomewonder 2022.
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- Actually, I have no idea if this was friendly, but Hawkes went down. Play went on and I took more pictures. © 1inawesomewonder 2022.
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- I thought this was a cool picture. Maybe it still is. G-Dub gets his flex on with this shot on goal against the Monarchs. The rebound of this shot led to a Flames goal. © 1inawesomewonder 2022.
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- Oh yes, here it is. The rebound of G-Dub’s powerful shot on goal came right to “No Excuse” Souc who put the puck into the yawning net.
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- In a test of the local railroad tracks “The Freight Train” known as L to the ogan McCain rumbled up the right wing and let a laser go that nearly went through the goalie’s shoulder. The tracks were just fine. © 1inawesomewonder 2022.
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- Travis, in a split second, thinks, “Alrighty then, nothing to worry about at the back door. I’ll slide left and scoop this up with my glove. Stick ready, pad down. Did I leave the iron on? Hey Dad! I like this glove better than my old one. One face-off coming right up”. © 1inawesomewonder 2022.
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- There once was a boy from old L’Derry. He skated alone at center ice looking for a puck to bury. Then along came a sweet pass from McCain. And the boy deked, shot, scored, and circled the net like hurricane. The fans behind the glass, appreciation they gave. Or they were just caught up in the thrill of doing the wave. © 1inawesomewonder 2022.
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- Will comes out of the crease to protect his net and the team’s lead. He made the save on this breakaway bid. © 1inawesomewonder 2022.
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- Coach gestures that something is over this way. Perhaps victory. Travis, a known connoisseur of hockey sticks, especially those handled by other goaltenders, takes a moment to get a better look at Will’s goalie stick.
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- This picture is a bit blurry but you can see the puck flying toward Will. This shot was unofficially clocked at “fairly fast” miles per hour. © 1inawesomewonder 2022.
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- Jacob takes a shot against the Monarchs at West Side Arena. © 1inawesomewonder 2022.
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- This Flames goal was the culmination of a great series of passes and shots. Garrett tucks the rebound across the goal line for the score.
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- I see your rush, and I will raise you a rush of my own. May the angle be with me. It was. Another save. © 1inawesomewonder 2022.
The thoughts and opinions expressed here are those of the individual contributors, mostly mine, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the schools, coaches, players, or characters listed in any of these blog posts. Or, maybe they do, but you would have to ask them directly.
Either way, “It’s a great day for hockey” ~ the late “Badger” Bob Johnson.