2010 Flames - Finding Their Way - 1 In Awesome Wonder

The 2010 Flames played games on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. They did win one, almost came back in another, and got smoked in the last one. All I can say, and that I can hope, is that they are finding their way.

One of the great things about this 2010 Flames team is that they are in a constant state of learning. They are learning the game, honing their skills, and facing the dynamics various personalities and maturity levels. Another great thing is that this team is surrounded by some great people and a wonderful support group. Hopefully, not a group that will figure out life for these kids, but a group that will love and nurture while allowing the kids the chance to grow and figure things out for themselves.

This learning process is not a short road. There are no shortcuts. Each game, the Flames learn more about themselves individually, as well as where they are as a team.

Here are some takeaways from an old guy that has seen a few youth hockey games:

You can lose a game in 3 minutes despite dominating it for the next 35 minutes.
It’s very hard to end up right if you don’t start out right.
Goals are not guaranteed just like most of life. But hard work, smart work, honing skills, and going about things the right way whether anyone is watching or not are great ways to improve your results.
The Bible says “to turn the other cheek”. Most times, choosing not to retaliate will serve you well. Especially, if you keep working together to meet your goals despite the adversity.
It’s not the size of the skater, but rather the size of the fight in the skater, and it doesn’t hurt if the skater has the ability to fly.
Good structure and execution as a team will make up for a lot of weaknesses in individuals.
Similar to a play on the ice, a blanket doesn’t chase coverage to the corners with every stitch but rather relies on its structure to cover all that needs covering. So also should a team working in unison within it’s structure.
What has happened thus far does not determine what will happen next. You can dominate the seconds, minutes, and hours that follow.

Saturday, December 17, 2022. JFK Coliseum.

Score by period:

Shamrocks Orange: 03 – 00 – 00 = 03

Flames: 00 – 00 – 02 = 02

Flames goals in order:

Giampa from Booth. Jaden gets the shot to the net and Chase crashes, literally, through the crease, to stick the rebound in the net while falling forward on his knees. Giampa from Booth.
Beal breaks up a play on the Flames pestering fore-check and the puck kicks to Giampa. Chase feeds a backhand pass to Ouellette who cuts back to his left. Lucas lets the shot fly which probably wasn’t as clean as he would have liked, but it slid right through the five-hole for a goal. Ouellette from Giampa and Beal.

Sunday, December 18, 2022. Skate 3 Red.

Score by period:

IHC West: 01 – 00 – 00 = 01

Flames: 02 – 01 – 01 = 04

McCain picks off the puck at center ice and scoots up the left boards into the zone and toward the bottom of the circle. He feeds a hard pass to the crease which is fouled off by Beal on his shot attempt but the puck slides to the far side post. Standing there, waiting for the puck is St. Pierre who smacks the puck into the open side of the net to the game, 1-1. St. Pierre from Beal and McCain.
Booth takes a steal from his own end and rushes up the off-wing for a nice shot on goal. Great rush. Beal spots the puck getting through the goaltender and fires it into the net to make sure the Flames score. Flames lead, 2-1. Beal from Booth.
While on the power play, McCain uses the sweep check to knock the puck free in the defensive zone. He gains control of the puck and takes off, up the ice. A cut here, a deke there, and some stick-handling on the way, he breaks in and skates the puck into the net. McCain unassisted.
McCain creates a space for himself, bringing the puck into the offensive zone. But he loses the puck on the stick-handle. The puck slides right to Beal who puts a quick shot on net, but is robbed by the glove. Giampa gets the rebound and scores from below the goal line to give the Flames a 4-1 lead. Giampa from Beal and McCain.

Monday, December 19, 2022. West Side Arena.

Score by period:

2011 Flames: 03 – 02 – 01 = 06

Flames: 00 – 00 – 00 = 00

The Flames get back to the ice on Christmas Eve morning for a date with the Monarchs. After Christmas the Flames will play in the Winter Classic over New Year’s weekend.

You can find more 2010 Flames material in these pieces, here. 2010 Manchester Flames.

I hope you find some pictures to your liking. The goal is to share these fleeting, but special moments in time, exhibiting some of the purest joys in life, of kids at play. Playing a sport they love and one that they choose to participate in.

As always with these galleries, please feel free to click on the pictures, and zoom in to have a look around. I think there are some pretty good close-ups in there. Also, please enjoy! The title of the picture will give you clues if you need them. This is for the kids. Thank you for your time.

Finding Their Way – In good times or bad

2010 Flames vs. Shamrocks Orange 12-17-22

: The 2010 Flames the week before Christmas. JFK Coliseum.

Finding Their Way – Win or lose

2010 Flames vs. 2011 Flames 12-19-22

: Poke Checking in broad daylight. Brody the D man.

: Caleb on the move. He cuts to the middle looking for a lane to shoot through.

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.

“We should be dreaming. We grew up as kids having dreams, but now we’re too sophisticated as adults, as a nation. We stopped dreaming. We should always have dreams.” ~ the late Herb Brooks.